UAlbany Launches New Graduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering
By Bethany Bump
ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 24, 2026) — The University at Albany has launched its newest graduate certificate for professionals in the semiconductor industry looking to expand their skills.
The advanced certificate in Very Large Scale Integration, or VLSI, provides training in the design, layout and architecture of integrated circuits — the microchips containing billions of nanoscale transistors just a few atoms wide that power everything from smartphones to cars to artificial intelligence systems.
Housed in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UAlbany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), the program is now accepting applications for Fall 2026.
“UAlbany is uniquely positioned to prepare engineers who understand not only how advanced chips are designed, but also how those designs connect to the realities of fabrication, performance and manufacturing,” said CNSE Dean Michele J. Grimm. “Through CNSE’s faculty expertise, industry partnerships and proximity to one of the world’s most advanced semiconductor research ecosystems, this certificate will give working professionals the specialized skills they need to contribute immediately to the next generation of semiconductor innovation.”
"This new certificate reflects UAlbany's commitment to meeting industry needs while providing working professionals with the flexibility to grow their careers on their own schedule," said UAlbany Provost Carol Kim. "As semiconductor employers across our region look for engineers with specialized design expertise, we're proud to offer a direct, accessible pathway for people to build those skills without pausing their careers."
Closing the Semiconductor Skills Gap
Demand for engineers with VLSI design expertise is surging as the U.S. semiconductor industry undergoes historic expansion fueled by federal and state investment, including landmark commitments at the NY Creates Albany NanoTech Complex where UAlbany faculty, staff and students work alongside industry professionals.
The Semiconductor Industry Association projects the industry will face a shortfall of 67,000 workers by 2030. UAlbany's new certificate aims to help close that gap by giving working engineers a direct, part-time pathway to build specialized VLSI design skills without committing to a full graduate degree.
The certificate is geared primarily toward people already working in the semiconductor industry, as well as those with engineering backgrounds in adjacent areas looking to transition into the microelectronics industry.
It adds to a growing portfolio of UAlbany certificates that provide advanced workforce training in the semiconductor industry, including Semiconductor Manufacturing, Semiconductor Patterning and Processing and Semiconductor Metrology. The new VLSI program is the first UAlbany certificate focused exclusively on chip layout and design, further establishing the University as a hub for semiconductor workforce development in New York.
Program Requirements
The VLSI certificate requires a minimum of nine credits and is built for semiconductor professionals who want to deepen their expertise while continuing to work. Coursework is available entirely online, and students are expected to complete the program in about two years while taking one course per semester.
Courses include Introduction to VLSI and two electives in Digital ASIC Design, Integrated Circuit Devices or Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits. Students will use the same virtual design simulation tools relied on throughout the semiconductor industry, giving them practical, job-ready skills alongside a theoretical foundation.
Applicants generally need an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or a related field, but candidates with other technical backgrounds may be considered if they have substantial relevant experience in the semiconductor industry.
Built with Industry Input
The program was developed by CNSE faculty in consultation with CNSE's Industrial Advisory Board, NY Creates adjunct faculty and alumni working in the industry, and prepares graduates for careers in the Capital Region's growing chip manufacturing ecosystem, which is home to major employers such as Micron, GlobalFoundries, IBM, Tokyo Electron (TEL) and Applied Materials.