Program in Lighting School of Architecture Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Graduate Programs in Lighting at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Established in 1988, the Lighting Research Center (LRC) in the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a leader in research and education in the field of lighting. LRC is known internationally for its reliable and objective research in "lighting technologies, applications, and products."

The center offers an exceptional Master of Science (MS) in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in Lighting program. It also provides a PhD program in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in Lighting. In addition to providing top-notch academic programs, LRC connects students to excellent employment opportunities.

Master of Science in Architectural Science With a Concentration in Lighting

The 1-year MS Program in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in Lighting is well-suited for professionals in the lighting industry or design field or those who have an interest in working in these fields. It is also ideal for individuals who want to transform innovative ideas into practical lighting products or services.

The program includes 24 credits of courses and 6 credits for the master's thesis project. It also includes a specialization in product innovation and development that receives support from the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.

This specialization gives students opportunities to grow their innovations and ideas. With the support of faculty members and business experts, students develop business plans and prototype constructions.

PhD in Architectural Sciences With a Concentration in Lighting

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Architectural Sciences with a concentration in lighting encompasses many of the disciplines that are a part of the field. Therefore, students acquire comprehensive knowledge in the areas of physics, optics, psychology, physiology, photobiology, engineering, architecture, and design.

Individuals may enter the PhD Program in Architectural Sciences at the bachelor's or master's level.

Expert Faculty Members

The Lighting Research Center has faculty members who are working professionals and leaders in the field of lighting. In addition to teaching, faculty members have careers as lighting designers, architects, physicists, engineers, researchers, photobiologists, and psychologists.

For instance, adjunct assistant professor Abhay Wadhwa has several research interests including lighting design and architecture, international lighting cultures, and lighting of historic structures and museums. He has been the lead designer on a wide-variety of lighting projects in a number of industries including hospitality, historic preservation, and transportation. Professor Wadhwa is also the president and principal of Available Light: NY.

Financial Assistance

Applicants of LRC's graduate programs may be eligible for various types of financial aid including loans, scholarships, and research assistantships. In fact, approximately 80 percent of LRC's students receive financial aid.

Students who are awarded research assistantships work closely with faculty members on a variety of research and design projects. This work increases their knowledge of the multi-disciplinary field of lighting and gives them hands-on research and design experience.

Graduate Student Life

Students have access to LRC's 30,000 square foot facility that includes research, classroom, and office space; computer laboratories; and the world's largest library in the field of lighting.

They also have full access to Rensselaer's campus, services, and facilities.

More About the Lighting Research Center (LRC)

The Lighting Research Center performs laboratory tests on lighting products, provides real-world demonstration of products and designs, and evaluates products and designs. It also conducts research on energy efficiency, new products and technologies, lighting design, and human factors issues.

Specific research programs include application and design, automotive and street lighting, aviation lighting, controls, daylighting, energy and environment, health and vision, LEDs, and outdoor lighting.

LRC's educational opportunities include graduate programs, distance learning, and educational outreach programs. It also provides training programs for government agencies, utility companies, contractors, and light designers -- among other professions.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Established in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the oldest technological university in the nation. It is located in Troy, New York, in the northeastern region of the United States.

Rensselaer provides more than 7,000 students with over 145 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. It offers a rigorous education that includes innovation in the laboratory, classroom, and studio.

The university is well known for its ability to transfer technology from the laboratory to the marketplace for the benefit of human kind and the environment.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Science (MS)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 6
• Doctoral Degrees 2
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? No
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Required and Required
• Doctoral Degrees Required and Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied30
• Accepted11
• Acceptance Rate36%
• Enrolled5
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $75
• Application Fee - International $75
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline January 1st January 1st Yes
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test, letters of recommendation, and resume, statement of research interests
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 570 paper based, TOEFL iBT, IELTS required, IELTS paper based

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$39,600
• Out-of-state tuition *$39,600
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year fees$1,896.00
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitNot Reported
• Application deadlines for financial awardsJanuary 1
• Types of financial support availableResearch Assitantships, Career or Field-Related Internships, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans, Graduate Assistantships

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students18
• Female Percentage39%
• Male Percentage61%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students18
• Part-time Percentage17%
• Full-time Percentage83%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino0%
• Black / African American0%
• White / Caucasian62%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian25%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown13%

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty10
• Full-time Percentage50%
• Part-time Percentage50%
• Female Percentage50%
• Male Percentage50%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchEnergy-efficient lighting, lighting product development, lighting design demonstration, daylighting, transportation lighting
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last year$3,300,000