Program Overview

Healthcare Engineering (MS Engineering Program)

America is entering a new era of aging. By 2035, about 1 in 4 Americans will be 65 or older, while the nursing workforce is already short. Healthcare will need technology that extends what caregivers can do. This program prepares you to build it.

The Need

Older adults show the pressure on healthcare most clearly, and the numbers are striking:

  • The U.S. population age 65 and older is projected to grow from about 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2035, rising from 16% to 23% of all Americans.
  • The number of nursing home residents is expected to grow by more than 50%, from roughly 1.2 million in 2017 to 1.9 million by 2030.
  • Alzheimer's cases could more than double by 2050, reaching an estimated 13.8 million.

At the same time, the nation continues to face a shortage of nurses and other healthcare professionals. Families, communities, healthcare systems, and care providers will all feel the strain.

A New Generation of Healthcare Innovation

Robotics, artificial intelligence, intelligent sensors, wearable devices, and other assistive systems can extend what healthcare professionals can do and help people live more independently. They support human care by helping caregivers manage heavy workloads, flag health changes early enough to act, strengthen rehabilitation, and leave more time for the personal connection at the center of care.

The engineering applies well beyond older adults. The same systems serve people in rehabilitiation, people with disabilities, and patients of any age who need monitoring, mobility support, or recovery. What you learn here transfers across healthcare.

About the Program

The MS in Engineering, specialization in Healthcare Engineering is a 30-unit graduate program from SJSU Engineering Extended Studies. Graduates are prepared to design and manufacture intelligent healthcare robotics systems and devices.

LIVE SMARTER, NOT HARDER! Prequalification for Fall 2027 is open. If you want your engineering to change how the world delivers care, start here.