Chemistry Graduate Programs

Chemistry is the study of the composition, properties, and activity of matter. Graduate programs in chemistry offer students training across major chemical disciplines. Coursework often includes planning experiments, conducting research, studying chemical literature, and exchanging ideas with professors and colleagues. Both master’s degrees in chemistry and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry exist.

Search our directory of campus chemistry graduate degree programs.

Search our directory online of chemistry graduate degree programs.

Chemistry Graduate Programs and Curriculum

Chemistry graduate schools generally offer coursework in the following areas.

Analytical
Bioinorganic
Bioorganic
Biophysical
Chemical
Chemical biology
Inorganic
Materials
Organic
Organometallic
Physical
Polymer
Theoretical

The first year of a graduate program in chemistry generally involves a focus on coursework. Research begins towards the end of the first year or at the beginning of the second year. Those continuing on to a doctoral program are usually required to pass oral examinations at the end of their second year. Master’s programs usually take two to three years to complete, while Ph.D. programs average five years in length.

Funding, in the form of teaching and research assistantships and fellowships, is often available for doctoral students. In fact, some schools require students to work as teaching assistants in order to advance in the program.

Potential applicants to chemistry graduate schools should plan to submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Generally speaking, basic courses in chemistry, such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry, are required, as are calculus and physics. Undergraduate coursework requirements vary among graduate schools; be certain to check specific application requirements with the admissions department at the school of your choice

Chemistry Career Paths

Chemists can work in the chemical industry in research, production, sales, and marketing. Those who have earned their doctoral degree may teach and conduct research at the university level. Chemistry plays a key role in nearly every science, which means chemists enjoy a wide variety of career options in a wide range of disciplines. There are jobs available with federal, local and state government in both research and regulatory capacities. Scientific fields that employ chemists include food chemistry, forensic chemistry, and toxicology.

Chemistry Salary and Job Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states the metropolitan areas with the highest employment levels include New York, Boston, Wilmington (Delaware) and Philadelphia. The best-paid chemists can be found in the Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD area,theWashington, DC metro area, Bakersfield (CA) and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Employment of chemists is expected to grow by 4% between 2010 and 2020, which is slower than average. Manufacturing and research and development are expected to be increasingly outsourced, to other countries as well as universities and testing services firms. Chemists with advanced degrees are expected to have better job opportunities.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010 the median salary of a chemical scientist with a bachelor’s degree was $69,790. Wages were highest at the federal government level and lowest at the college and university level. Salaries of chemists in the top 10% in earnings made more than $116,130 annually, those in the bottom 10% in earnings made less than $35,250 per year. Salaries vary based upon industry, experience, and location. The chart below highlights these differences.

Chemistry Salary Distribution

Data according to

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Ed.

Type: Campus

Level: Certificate

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University of Southampton

Electrochemistry

Southampton is the only department in the country to have an established Chair of Electrochemistry. Major scientific discover...

This program is offered at multiple campus locations.
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Type: Campus
Level:
Certificate
Masters
Albany,NY
College Of Saint Rose
Adolescence Education
Designed for those who seek New York State initial teaching certification.
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
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Brooklyn,NY
Brooklyn College Of The City University Of New York
Chemistry
The M.A.
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Huntsville,AL
University of Alabama - Huntsville
Chemistry
Research in the Department of Chemistry is pursued along all five of the main subdivisions of the subject (analytical, bioche...
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Plattsburgh,NY
State University Of New York, College At Plattsburgh
Natural Science (M.S.)
The Natural Science M.S. is for individuals interested in 1 of 3 concentrations: Biology, Chemistry or Environmental Scien...
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Fairfield,CT
Sacred Heart University
Chemistry (M.S.)
Sacred Heart offers an MS degree to full-time and part-time students in General Chemistry and Molecular Biochemistry.
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Type: Campus
Level:
Doctorate
Masters
Lexington,KY
University of Kentucky
Physics and Astronomy
M.S./Ph.D. in Physics & Astronomy. Research in Astronomy/Astrophysics, Atomic, Condensed Matter, Nuclear, and Particle Physi...
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Level:
Doctorate
Masters
South Orange,NJ
Seton Hall University
Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Seton Hall University is the intellectual home to 14 faculty, over 80 undergr...
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Indiana,PA
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania
Chemistry PSM
The Master of Science degree requires an original thesis, while the Master of Arts degree is based largely on course work.
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
Queens,NY
St. John's University
Chemistry
.
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Type: Campus
Level: Doctorate
Houston,TX
Baylor College Of Medicine
Structural and Computational Biology and Molecular Biophysics
SCBMB is an interdisciplinary program featuring over 75 faculty from seven top tier institutions.
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Type: Campus
Level:
Certificate
Masters
New Britain,CT
Central Connecticut State University
Natural Sciences M.S.
Track I provides for advanced study in physics or earth sciences. Track II is for certified teachers in elementary and second...
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
San Francisco,CA
University of San Francisco
Chemistry
The Master's program in Chemistry provides the graduate student with invaluable experiences and training in laboratory chemic...
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Type: Campus
Level: Masters
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Madison,NJ
Fairleigh Dickinson University
MS - Chemistry (College at Florham)
The program provides training for those who wish to advance their careers in research, industry, government service or teachi...
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Atlanta,GA
Clark Atlanta University
Chemistry

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