Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering
Packaging activities at CBU are supported by various labs in Saint Benilde Hall as well as the computer labs and classrooms in Nolan Engineering Center.
What You’ll Study
The Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering introduces you to the core concepts that shape today’s packaging industry. Through three graduate-level courses, you’ll examine how products, materials, and package structures interact, and how engineering decisions influence performance, cost, and sustainability. Coursework covers container design, material selection, production methods, testing standards, packaging machinery, and the logistics systems that support safe transportation.
You can complete the engineering management program online or on campus, with classes offered once a week in flexible 8-week or 16-week sessions. All courses apply toward the Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) or the Master in Computer Information Systems (MSCIS), giving you a pathway to advance into a broader engineering management credential if you choose.
Career Opportunities
This certificate equips students for roles across manufacturing, product development, supply chain operations, and engineering project management. Graduates often pursue opportunities with packaging suppliers, consumer goods companies, logistics and distribution firms, or design and testing facilities.
Professionals seeking to strengthen their qualifications for engineering leadership roles, whether through an engineering management certificate, a certificate in engineering project management, or a future master’s degree, find this program especially valuable. The coursework also supports students interested in packaging-focused careers, including packaging engineering, packaging design, and related technical specialties.
Skills You’ll Build
Students gain a strong foundation in the engineering principles that support effective packaging systems. Skills developed in the certificate program include:
- Understanding material behavior and package performance
- Evaluating structural design for durability and cost efficiency
- Applying testing standards and quality assurance methods
- Analyzing machinery, production processes, and automation
- Assessing logistics, transportation, and supply chain considerations
- Communicating technical information for engineering leadership roles
These abilities strengthen your professional profile, whether you’re advancing within engineering management, starting a pathway toward a master’s in packaging-related fields, or enhancing your expertise for roles that require technical decision-making.
Courses in the Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering Program
You may choose three courses from the following:
- ENGM 634. Supply Chain Analytics – 3 credits
Packaging materials, container types, processes, technology, and equipment. Packaging development process, testing and evaluation methods, standards, and equipment. Government regulations. Preparation for IoPP CPP examination. - ENGM 640. Packaging Technology – 3 credits
Packaging materials, container types, processes, technology, and equipment. Packaging development process, testing and evaluation methods, standards, and equipment. Government regulations. Preparation for IoPP CPP examination. - ENGM 642. Sustainability – 3 credits
Environmental impact of packaging waste and packaging sustainability. Sustainability definition and its goals. Potential benefits of sustainable packaging for businesses. Consumer role in sustainable packaging. Challenges in transitioning to sustainable packaging. The concept of sustainable packaging. Types of sustainable packaging materials: recyclable, compostable, reusable, post-consumer recycled content (PCR). Technology and innovation in sustainable packaging. Guidelines and practical steps in packaging design considerations for sustainability. Life cycle assessment (LAC) of the sustainability of a product’s packaging. Current state and future trend of implementations of sustainable packaging. - ENGM 644. Transport Packaging – 3 credits
Transport packaging-related organizations, test protocols, and testing equipment. Distribution hazards including shock, vibration, compression, and temperature/humidity. Packaging performance testing. ISTA laboratory, package, and professional certifications. - ENGM 646. Packaging for Ecommerce– 3 credits
This course will intensively study the package design requirements specific to products for e-commerce and home delivery. It will focus on research and development of economical and environment-friendly protective packaging systems and specifications for inexpensive consumer goods such as beverages and other household products, apparel and other personal products, bulky/heavy goods such as furniture, extreme fragile products such as large flat TVs, temperature-sensitive products such as foods and groceries etc. traditionally sold through retail stores with limited packaging protections. Other advanced topics, such as packaging for automatic fulfillment, robot/drone delivery, etc., will also be explored. - ENGM 647 Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer in Cold-Chain Packaging – 3 credits
Applications of thermodynamics and heat transfer in cold-chain packaging, including insulated shipping containers and phase change materials. Experimental data and mathematical models are used throughout the course. - ENGM 648 Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Packaging – 3 credits
Materials for pharmaceutical packaging. Spoilage mechanisms. Child resistant and tamper evident packaging. Various types of pharmaceutical packaging, including blister and strip, vial and ampoule, and aerosol. Materials for medical device packaging, including PETG and Tyvek. Unique Device Identification. CDC guideline for disinfection and sterilization. Stability, strength and integrity tests. ASTM test protocols. - ENGM 649. Distribution of Temperature-Sensitive Products – 3 credits
Heat transfer basics. Insulated containers and coolants. Equipment including environmental chambers, thermocouples, monitoring tools. Cold-chain-related guidelines from WHO, ISTA, CDER, and PDA. Roles of ISTA-certified thermal laboratory. - ENGM 653. Measuring and Monitoring Temperature – 3 credits
Temperature sensor technologies, data acquisition systems, temperature data loggers, thermocouples, portable data loggers, and temperature indicator labels are also available. - ENGM 6xx. Special Topics – 3 credits
From time to time, a special topics course may be taught by packaging faculty. These might include packaging-related courses, such as cold chain management, thermal testing, or other areas of current interest. Special topics courses with packaging content may be applied to this certificate with the approval of the graduate director.
How to Apply for the Graduate Certificate in Packaging Engineering Program
To apply, submit the following:
1. Graduate Program Application
- Select Graduate for Application Type
- Select Graduate Special/Non-Degree Seeking for Student Type
- Select “Yes” to indicate you will pursue a certificate
- Select the preferred graduate certificate program
2. Official college/university transcript showing bachelor’s degree awarded
3. A current resume/CV
Meet the Faculty
The Packaging Engineering certificate is taught by experienced faculty with extensive industry backgrounds and a deep understanding of modern packaging systems. They bring real-world insight to the classroom and are committed to guiding students through a practical, academically rigorous learning experience.
