Graduate Programs
The Department offers graduate programs in Chemistry and Chemical Education at the M.S. level and Chemical Education at the Ph.D. levels. The M.S. programs are tailored to each student and serve to prepare you for continued graduate study, or for immediate employment in academia, industry, or government positions. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available for these M.S. programs.
The Ph.D. program in Chemical Education uniquely prepares students for work in the field of teaching and learning. The program builds upon content understanding and application with strong coursework, research, and practice in Chemical Education. The rigor of the program results in graduates that are highly qualified for employment in academia or in industry / government positions with strong research skills in Chemical Education.
Student Support
Support for graduate students is available in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Students in thesis- or dissertation-based options are eligible to apply for these assistantships when they apply for admission to the program. Students in the non-thesis M.S. degree plans are ineligible for these assistantships. The assistantships cover full tuition for graduate courses in the students' plan of study and provide a stipend for the academic year (M.S.-level) or fiscal year (Ph.D.-level). Students on teaching assistantship support are required to teach undergraduate laboratories.
Program Specifics
In the M.S. programs, students work closely with their research advisor to plan the coursework and activities required for the degree. In the thesis-based option, this interaction also includes development of a thesis proposal, 1-on-1 research with the research advisor, and construction and defense of the thesis. Requirements for admission to the M.S. program are an ACS-Approved BS or BA in Chemistry or closely related program, a minimum 3.0 GPA over the last 60 hours of coursework, and submission of GRE testing scores. More information about the application process can be found at the Graduate Program Applications page. Links to the catalog listing for the M.S. programs in Chemistry or Chemical Education are:
Master of Science - Chemical Education
Master of Science - Chemistry
In the Ph.D. program, students develop a very strong relationship with their advisor as they explore qualitative and quantitative research methods in the teaching and learning of chemistry. The interaction with the research mentor includes development of a dissertation proposal, conducting research in the field of Chemical Education with their mentor and other faculty, and construction and defense of the dissertation. Requirements for admission to the Ph.D. program include a M.S. degree (thesis-based) or equivalent in Chemistry or a closely related discipline (as determined by the Department's Graduate Committee), a minimum 3.0 GPA over the last 60 hours of coursework, and submission of GRE test scores. More information about the application process can be found using the Grad Program Applications link to the left of this page. The catalog listing for the Ph.D. program in Chemical Education is:
Doctor of Philosophy - Chemical Education
Other Programs
The Department also participates in the Graduate Interdisciplinary program: Master of Arts in Science Education. This program is tailored for practicing science teachers and is presented primarily online. More information can be found by visiting the link below:
