Lighting Research Center Expands M.S. In Lighting Program, Offering Paid Externships

December 5, 2016

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has recently expanded its M.S. in Lighting degree program to include a paid career externship at a leading lighting manufacturer, design firm, or government organization.

Upon graduation, students now have an opportunity to participate in a paid externship for three months or more with one of many lighting organizations that have agreed to host LRC students, including Current by GE, OSRAM, Philips Lighting, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Bridgelux, Hubbell Lighting, Ketra, USAI Lighting, and numerous others.

In 1990, the LRC became the first university research centre to offer graduate degrees in lighting, and today offers a M.S. in lighting and a Ph.D. to educate future leaders in lighting. The LRC is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, America’s first technological research university, founded in 1824. With more than 35 faculty and staff working closely with 15 select graduate students, and a 30,000 sq. ft. laboratory space, the LRC is the largest university-based lighting research and education organization in the world.

The M.S. in Lighting program at Rensselaer is a master’s level graduate degree offered in the field of lighting, focusing on lighting technology, design, human factors, and applications. This 9-month degree program allows students to engage with world-class faculty experts in architecture, engineering, design, and biosciences. Students enrolled in the LRC’s M.S. in Lighting program explore emerging trends in customization and data analytics, in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and networked/connected lighting, 3D printing of lighting components, lighting for circadian health and wellbeing, lighting for plant health, aviation and automotive lighting, and other topics in lighting technology, application and design. The LRC attracts students with undergraduate degrees in engineering, physics, biology, psychology, architecture, and design.

The program culminates in a master’s project in the second semester during which each student focuses on a particular area of interest under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Some examples of recent student projects include: remote monitoring of LED lighting system performance, designing a portfolio of lighting patterns to support circadian health and wellbeing, studying the impact of lighting on performance, and evaluating OLED and edge-lit LED lighting panels.

The application deadline for Fall 2017 is January 2, 2017.

Find out more: http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/index.asp.

 

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Jan 14, 2026 - GVA Lighting Promotes Gareth Bruce to Vice President – Sales & Marketing

    GVA Lighting Promotes Gareth Bruce to Vice President – Sales & Marketing

    GVA Lighting is pleased to announce the promotion of Gareth Bruce to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, effective December 5th, 2025. Gareth joined GVA in May 2024 as Regional Sales Manager – Southeast, bringing more than two decades of lighting industry experience from Philips / Signify. He was promoted to Director of North American Sales in September 2024 and has since… Read More…

  • Jan 14, 2026 - Intralec Electrical Products Proudly Representing SATCO NUVO Lighting Solutions

    Intralec Electrical Products Announces SATCO NUVO Representation

    Intralec is proud to represent SATCO | NUVO lighting solutions for commercial, residential, and industrial applications. SATCO | NUVO is a major supplier of lighting products, with solutions for nearly every lighting market across the commercial, residential, and industrial landscape. With over 1.5 million square feet of inventory throughout North America and thousands of products… Read More…


Design

  • EB Horsman: Can LED Roadway Lighting Enhance Road Safety & Efficiency?

    EB Horsman: Can LED Roadway Lighting Enhance Road Safety & Efficiency?

    At EB Horsman, they recognize that effective roadway lighting is a crucial component of public safety. With Lumec’s LED roadway lighting solutions, communities can ensure reliable, high-quality illumination that supports safer travel for everyone, day or night, while also improving energy efficiency and long-term operational performance. High-quality roadway lighting is a critical component of public… Read More…

  • Prolux Lighting & Controls: Project Spotlight – Residential House in the Kootenays

    Prolux Lighting & Controls: Project Spotlight – Residential House in the Kootenays

    Have a look at this custom residential home in the Kootenays, where Prolux utilized the HALO RL6 Slope Ceiling Direct Mount fixtures by Cooper Lighting Solutions designed specifically for sloped ceilings. These luminaires provided consistent, high-quality illumination while maintaining a clean, low-profile ceiling aesthetic. Their direct-mount design allowed for seamless integration throughout the home, supporting… Read More…


New Products

  • Philips Hue Transforms Lighting Design with the Hue SpatialAware Feature That Understands Your Space

    Philips Hue Transforms Lighting Design with the Hue SpatialAware Feature That Understands Your Space

    Signify is introducing Hue SpatialAware, which will transform how Philips Hue users experience light scenes. This feature analyzes the layout of your room and the placement of your Philips Hue lights to create the optimal lighting experience tailored to your unique environment. It’s like having a lighting designer in your pocket, allowing you to experience… Read More…

  • Liteline: New LUNA Fire Driver for 3.5″ Fixture

    Liteline: New LUNA Fire Driver for 3.5″ Fixture

    Introducing a new lower-cost driver option for LUNA Fire! This 12W, 120V driver with TRIAC/ELV dimming is designed to significantly reduce cost while maintaining performance, giving you more flexibility.  The LUNA Fire meets UL 1598 / 2108/ 263, CSA C22.2 #250.0 / 250.2, and ULC-S101 safety and building construction requirements granting inherent 2-hour fire-rated protection. It… Read More…