Online Education

Online Graduate Certificate Explosives Technology Mining and Explosives Engineering

About the Certificate

This graduate certificate program provides a comprehensive and formalized education in the science, engineering, and application of explosives. Designed for professionals and students seeking specialized expertise, the program combines fundamental theory with practical approaches to explosives technology, preparing graduates to address complex challenges in industries such as mining, construction, defense, infrastructure development, and research.

Students will gain an understanding of the principles governing explosive materials, detonation phenomena, blast dynamics, and the performance of explosive systems. Coursework emphasizes both analytical and applied aspects of explosives technology, enabling students to evaluate, design, and optimize explosive-related systems for a variety of engineering and operational environments.

The program also explores the effects of explosive events on natural and built environments. Students will examine blast interactions with rock, soil, and other geologic materials, as well as the response of structures, infrastructure, and protective systems to explosive loading. Through the study of modeling, analysis, and design methodologies, graduates will develop the technical knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to assess risks, improve safety, and enhance the effectiveness of explosive applications across a range of disciplines.

The explosives technology certificate program is open to all graduates holding a BA, or advanced higher degree that has a mathematics background through trigonometry (Missouri S&T Math 6 or equivalent) and a minimum of 12-months of post-BA professional employment experience.

The student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the four courses required for this graduate certificate. Students admitted to a graduate certificate program will have non-degree student status, but will earn graduate credit for the courses they complete. If the four-course sequence is completed with a grade of B or better in each of the courses taken, the student, upon application, will be admitted to the MS degree in explosives engineering, but will be precluded from taking any graduate courses until successful completion of the following prerequisite courses:

  1. S&T Chem 1310 (1) General Chemistry 1 (or equivalent)
  2. S&T Chem 1319 (2) General Chemistry 1 Lab (or equivalent)
  3. S&T Chem 1100 (4) Intro to Lab Safety & Hazardous Materials (or equivalent)
  4. S&T Math 1214 (14) Calculus for Engineers 1 (or equivalent)

For more information on admissions, please visit the online admissions page.

For online students applying to a graduate certificate program. (No GRE/GMAT required.)

Certificate Applicant 

The following are the courses offered in the program. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The University reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed. 

Total Courses: 4 (12 credit hours)

Required-One of the following four courses:  
Principles of Explosives Engineering  
Explosives in Industry  
Specialty Uses of Energetic Materials  
Explosives Manufacturing  
Choose any three courses from the list below:  
EXP ENG 5112 Explosives Handling and Safety  
EXP ENG 5512 Commercial Pyrotechnics Operations  
Stage Pyrotechnics and Special Effects  
Display Fireworks Manufacturing  
Computer Fired Pyrotechnic Show Design and Firing System Operation  
Blasting Design And Technology  
Demolition of Buildings and Structures  
Tunneling & Underground Construction Techniques  
Explosives Regulations  
  • Other courses approved by the explosives engineering faculty may be substituted for any of the above-listed courses on a case-by-case basis.

Course plans are coordinated between the advisor and the student to meet the student's needs and the program's requirements.

Course availability may vary by semester (see course listings). Students should consult their academic advisor for appropriate alternatives or substitutions if needed.

Please refer to the Explosives Engineering section of the graduate catalog for more information.

This program is 100% online: any campus visits are optional.

Courses are semester-based. Students typically take one or two classes per semester and finish the program in one year.

  • Delivery: 100% online
  • Calendar system: Semester-based 
  • Typical program length: 1-2 years
  • Typical course load: 1-2 courses a semester (fall and spring)

Courses are offered asynchronously, meaning they do not have regular meetings. They may consist of various media and content — such as online discussions, videos, quizzes and recordings — that students review and complete at the time of their choice.

Learn more about our graduate programs at Missouri S&T by attending one of our virtual information sessions.

Attend Info Session

Pathway to a Master's Degree

Are you a working professional who wants to earn your master's degree, but you don’t have time to take the GRE/GMAT? Then start in a graduate certificate program. Graduate certificates were designed as a pathway to a master's degree.* The admission requirements are more relaxed and credit earned will count toward your degree. Once you successfully earn your graduate certificate, you can continue with the corresponding master's degree without having to take the GRE/GMAT.


Related Degrees

This graduate certificate may act as a pathway to the following master’s programs:

*Completion of a graduate certificate program does not automatically guarantee admission into a corresponding graduate degree program. To continue in a master’s degree program, you must apply.

Questions?

Missouri S&T Online Education

We are here to answer any of your questions about Missouri S&T’s online education programs.

Email Us  Request Info

Sylvia Skouby
Associate Director for Online Admissions

573-341-6903  |  stgrad@mst.edu

Mining and Explosives Engineering

Kyle Perry, PhD
Associate Professor, Associate Chair for Research, and Online/Distance Coordinator

573-341-4549  |  kperry@mst.edu
Department Website: mee.mst.edu

Scout (Hannah) Gibson
Office Support Assistant and Graduate Programs Support

573-341-4753  |   hgbbq@mst.edu