Design, build and deploy intelligent machines that move, see, decide and act. Duke’s robotics master’s program prepares you for full-stack robotic and autonomous systems engineering—from mechanical design and sensing to AI, control and human-robot interaction. This master’s in robotics offers project-based courses, collaboration with faculty and opportunities in areas like medical robotics. Graduate ready to prototype new systems, lead technical teams and bring next-generation autonomy to the world.
Features & Benefits of Duke’s Robotics Master’s Program
If you want to point to a robot in the world and say, “That didn’t exist until I built it at Duke,” this is your program. In Duke’s master’s in robotics (MEng), you’ll engineer full-stack robotic systems—linking mechanical design, controls, perception and Machine Learning/AI—while also learning how to lead projects, teams and products.
You’ll work in small, collaborative classes and makerspaces, build portfolio-ready prototypes and tap into Duke’s broader strengths—from medical robotics with Duke’s world-class health system to data-driven autonomy across MEMS, ECE and Computer Science. A required internship and capstone mean you graduate with real systems on your résumé, not just simulations on your laptop.
Along the way, you’ll dig into the ethics of automation and human-centered design, so you’re ready to deploy robots that move the world forward—safely, responsibly and at scale. You leave with more than a Duke degree: You leave with proven work that shows exactly what you can build.
All completed in just three semesters—no thesis required.
At Duke, we have incredibly passionate and motivated students who want to make positive change in the world. We help them learn how to use robotics and autonomous technologies to make those changes.
Siobhan OcaDirector of Master’s Studies, Duke MEMS
Curriculum Overview
Career Preparation Core:
MENG 540 Management of High-Tech Industries
MENG 570 Business Fundamentals for Engineers
MENG 550/551 Industry Internship & Assessment
Robotics Core—2 courses
Machine Learning course
Controls & Dynamics course
An Ethics course
2 Technical electives
Capstone Project
Specialty in Medical Robotics
Duke’s graduate training program in Medical Robotics represents a new model at the interface of medicine and engineering—one that gets roboticists into the operating rooms of a world-class academic medical center.
Shape the future of surgical technology and enhance your Duke degree with a graduate Certificate in Medical Robotics.
This master’s degree is 30 credits, taken over three semesters on the Duke campus.
Required:
MENG 540: Management of High-Tech Industries
MENG 570: Business Fundamentals for Engineers
MENG 550/551: Internship and Internship assessment
Select two*:
ME 555 Introduction to Robotics
ME 555 Introduction to Programming
CS 527 Computer Vision
Important Note
*Or, all three and one fewer elective if the student has an insufficient background
Select one:
ECE 580 Introduction to Machine Learning
ECE 685D Introduction to Deep Learning
ECE 590-05 Advanced Topics in Deep Learning
ECE 682D Probabilistic Machine Learning
ME 555/CEE 690 Advanced Topics in Data Science & Machine Learning
ME 555 Data-Driven Dynamical Systems and Control
COMPSCI 570 Artificial Intelligence
COMPSCI 590 Neurosymbolic Machine Learning
COMPSCI 572 Natural Language Processing
COMPSCI 671D Theory and Algorithm Machine Learning
Select one:
ME 541 Intermediate Dynamics
ME 627 Linear System Theory
ME 555 Model Predictive Control
Required:
ME 555 Case Studies of Ethics in Robotics and Automation
Choose two:
ME 555 Robot Learning
ME 555 Robotic Manipulation
ME 555 Tendron-Driven Robotics
ME 555 Introduction to Medical Robotics
Two-plus semesters and robotics-focused—
Choose one:
ME 555 Projects in Medical Robotics
ME 555 Capstone
Develop the Newest Capabilities With a Master’s in Robotics
The robotics industry is transforming, which means you need more than just coding, mechanics and systems theory knowledge. Duke’s master’s in robotics gives you a holistic foundation that combines:
The deep technical training of a top engineering program
Ethical reasoning
Leadership courses
Practical business skills
A master’s in robotics from Duke demonstrates your expertise in AI, machine learning, robotic sensing and human-machine interaction. You learn to design, build and deploy intelligent systems that perceive their environments and operate safely alongside people. You’ll graduate ready to lead and challenge the status quo.
Build Skills for the Future of Autonomous Systems Engineering
A master’s in robotics from Duke will train you in all of the skills you need to succeed.
Career-Ready Foundational Knowledge
Your coursework lays the foundation for a productive career in robotics. You will learn about topics like mechanical design, embedded systems and integration. The program also covers dynamic modeling and machine learning.
AI & Machine Learning Integration
You’ll work with faculty who lead research in medical robotics, multimodal sensing, reinforcement learning and intelligent planning. The program gives you opportunities to explore how AI elevates autonomy, especially in applications requiring complex environmental interpretation or safety-critical decision frameworks.
Leadership & Communication
At Duke, we understand that the next generation of robotics technology is going to change the world. With that in mind, we have made leadership, ethics and communication training integral parts of our master’s in robotics program. You will expand your ability to lead technical teams and communicate effectively in the industry.
Why Duke?
Our Robotics and Autonomy MEng stands out because of our commitment to innovation with purpose. You belong to a community where engineers, entrepreneurs, clinicians and researchers collaborate on solutions that improve lives. As a member of our program, you will gain these advantages.
Access to Cutting-Edge Research Labs
Learn in facilities dedicated to specialties like autonomous systems engineering and surgical navigation. Many students connect with research groups for capstones or internships that deepen their real-world experiences.
Engineering + Business + Ethics = Real Leadership
You’ll learn how to design advanced technology while exploring the ethical and societal implications of your work. Employers increasingly seek engineers who can think across disciplines. That’s the kind of professionals Duke trains.
Mentorship From Faculty & Industry Leaders
Duke’s world-class faculty will mentor you every step of the way. Our in-house experts in robotics education and medical robotics innovation can provide unique insights to enhance your educational journey.
Hear from Our Students
During my medical robotics class, my professor set me up to work on a real project with a local company in the medical robotics field. That led to an internship, and the plan is for that to transition into a full-time job after graduation.
Aaron ThomasRobotics & Autonomy Master of Engineering, 2025
For me, coming from a non-engineering, non-robotics background, the program has been really welcoming and challenged me without being scary. You’re going to have support. It does a great job making you feel like you belong.
Nohemi SepulvedaRobotics & Autonomy Master of Engineering, 2025
Career Outcomes With a Master’s in Robotics & Autonomy
Employers in nearly every engineering sector look for professionals who understand autonomy, perception and AI-driven control. The industrial robotics market is projected to grow from about $48.3 billion in 2025 to $90.6 billion by 2030, a 13.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Robotics and autonomy skills map directly onto six-figure roles. Recent salary guides place the average U.S. robotics engineer salary in the $110,000-$140,000 range, with total compensation often higher for experienced engineers and autonomous systems roles.
Recent master’s graduates from the MEMS department—home of Robotics & Autonomy—are split between full-time industry roles (64%) and further graduate study (36%) within six months, joining employers like Amazon, BotBuilt, GM, Honeywell, Intel, Medtronic and Northrop Grumman. Duke Pratt School of Engineering graduates are also employed by companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, IBM, Intel, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Medtronic, Siemens and more.
Duke graduates work in the following settings:
Robotics startups
Large tech companies
Medical device firms
National laboratories
Research institutions
Roles for a Master’s in Robotics & Autonomy
Our grads are career-ready for a wide range of roles:
Robotics engineer
Controls engineer
Autonomous systems engineer
Robotic perception engineer
Machine learning engineer
Medical robotics developer
Your training in autonomous systems engineering makes you competitive for innovation-driven roles that require systems thinking and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
FAQ for the Robotics & Autonomy Master of Engineering
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help you decide whether the Robotics & Autonomy Master of Engineering is right for you.
You can pursue advanced engineering roles in robotics. Our graduates step into work involving autonomous vehicles, surgical robots, automation and control systems. The program also prepares you for technical leadership roles where machine learning and autonomy skills are in high demand.
Like most Duke master’s programs, this degree gives you the freedom to shape your learning experience. You can explore personalized capstone and internship pathways based on your professional aspirations.
Courses and labs integrate machine learning, robotic manipulation and intelligent planning into the curriculum. You’ll study how AI enables autonomy, safety and adaptability in real-world systems. Each course aims to prepare you for a future in AI-driven robotics.
Yes. Motivated students from related engineering, physics, math or computer science backgrounds can build the skills necessary to enter robotics or autonomous systems engineering careers. Our program rewards individuals who are creative, motivated and willing to challenge their existing perceptions.
As a career changer in Duke’s master’s in robotics program, you will experience unprecedented opportunities to expand your knowledge base. Since our courses focus on real-world applications, you will walk away with the confidence you need to seize new career opportunities.
Many graduates enter fields like aerospace, medical device development and automotive automation. Businesses in a range of industries are exploring autonomous systems, which is fueling the demand for graduates with this unique expertise. Offering autonomous systems engineering courses is one of the many ways in which Duke future-proofs our programs.
Take the Next Step With Duke’s Robotics Master’s Program
Learn to connect hardware and software into robust, real-world robotics solutions using AI, machine learning/deep learning and autonomous systems. Since our approach focuses heavily on hands-on experiences, you’ll walk away with the practical skills that employers are looking for. Are you ready to get started? Request more information or start your application today.
Researchers give robots a sense of touch by “listening” to vibrations, allowing them to identify materials, understand shapes and recognize objects just like human hands
