chemistry phd application reddit

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Graduate Admissions Timeline

September, 2023.

The application process for the Graduate Program in Chemistry for Fall 2024 is currently CLOSED.  

December 1, 2023

Chemistry and Graduate School application deadline for applicants who wish to enter the Graduate Program of Chemistry in Fall 2024. All materials must be received by this date.

January - February, 2024

Department of Chemistry admission decisions are made.

Visit Weekends, March 2024

Department of Chemistry visit weekends for those offered admission.

April 15, 2024

Deadline for students to accept or decline offers of admission

What you need to apply

Application for admission, recommendation letters.

Three separate letters of recommendation are required. All letters of recommendation can be uploaded by the NU (Northwestern University) application software. The NU application software will ask you for the names and email addresses of three references. As you submit your application, an email will be sent to your references providing them with instructions for submitting their letters of recommendation. The NU application software will send you a confirmation email once your references have uploaded their letters of recommendation. If your references are uncomfortable using the web, you may wish to consider sending hard copies.

Official Transcript(s)

While completing your online application, you must submit one scanned copy of your transcript from each school you have attended. Scanned transcripts should be exact duplicates of the transcripts issued by your institution (bearing the institution’s seal). Please do not upload foreign language transcripts unless English language transcripts are impossible to obtain. If you only have access to foreign language transcripts, your foreign language transcripts must be accompanied by an official English translation bearing the original ink signature and seal of the issuing university.

Please make sure your scanned transcripts are legible before uploading them. Illegible transcripts will not be reviewed.

If you are recommended for admission and decide to enroll, you are required to mail one official copy of each of your transcripts to The Graduate School Admission Office as soon the transcripts are available. Your transcripts should be sent in sealed, unopened envelopes, directly from the issuing institution. Please be sure that your official transcripts list all the degrees that you have earned prior to enrolling at Northwestern University. Failure to submit all your transcripts (including degree awarding transcripts) by the end of your first quarter of study will result in registration holds.

Please do not mail copies of your transcripts to The Graduate School before you have been admitted AND submitted your enrollment decision. Any transcript submitted prior to that point will not be kept, and you must submit those transcripts again. The Graduate School’s address is listed below:

Northwestern University The Graduate School Rebecca Crown Center 633 Clark Street Evanston, IL, 60208

Any fraudulent activity or discrepancies found between uploaded and official transcript[s] will result in the immediate revocation of admission and/or dismissal from Northwestern University.

Transcript requirements of the Graduate School

Gre scores .

The Northwestern Chemistry Ph.D. program no longer requires the general GRE on graduate applications.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores 

Much of your success in graduate study will rely on your ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. If your native language is not English, you must certify your proficiency in the English language in one of the following three ways.

Providing official scores for either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The test must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry. (If you are applying for fall 2023 entry, test scores must be no older than September 2020.) For the TOEFL, you must score 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, 100 or higher on the internet-based test. For the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.

Providing official transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English.

Providing official transcripts verifying a graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English.

TOEFL requirements of the Graduate School

Supplemental materials .

All material, such as publications or awards can be uploaded electronically.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Northwestern equitable application resource (near) program.

NEAR is a graduate student-run mentorship program that provides application assistance to prospective chemistry students. Mentors can give feedback on written statements as well as general guidance through the admissions process. The NEAR program is intended to assist but is not limited to. applicants from historically underrepresented groups in chemistry. If you are planning to apply to Northwestern’s chemistry program for Fall 2023 admission and would like to be part of the NEAR program, please fill out the following form:

https://forms.gle/SGk2Bf9Na1Rud8Bz5 .

• Applications are due by September 25th.
• Decisions and mentor-mentee pairings will be sent out by October 3rd.
• Participation in NEAR does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.
• Any other questions can be answered by either visiting the FAQ page or sending them to [email protected] .

UCI Department of Chemistry

Search form, prospective doctoral students, how to apply to the chemistry ph.d. program.

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If you are interested in applied physics, chemistry, physics, or engineering please consider the  Chemical, Applied and Materials Physics (ChAMP)  program. Students should apply to the Chemistry Ph.D. program or the ChAMP - Chemistry Ph.D. program, not both.

Applications for Fall 2024 may be submitted starting October 2 nd  and will be reviewed beginning December 1 st . Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply by December 1 st for the best chance of admission. The final deadline for applications is March 15 th .

Admission Requirements

In addition to the  admissions criteria  set forth by Graduate Division, applicants to the Ph.D. program in Chemistry will be expected to submit the following:

• Statement of Purpose – Discuss the research you have completed and/or any work you have published or presented. Describe your career objectives, goals for graduate study, and specific areas of research interest, including at least 2 research groups  you would be interested in joining.
• Personal History Statement – Describe your personal background, including any experiences or challenges relevant to your academic journey. Include how you addressed these challenges in order to achieve your educational goals.
• Curriculum Vitae  – A brief account of your education, qualifications, and previous experience.
• Letters of Recommendation – A minimum of three letters are required.
• Unofficial Transcripts – Upload unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended since high school.
• TOEFL/IELTS – Required for certain applicants. Please refer to Teaching Assistant Requirement below for more information.

Unofficial Transcripts

Uploaded transcripts should be the most recent and include the following: your name, dates of attendance, grades/marks received, credits, cumulative GPA, and grading legend. Please upload both sides of all transcripts. UCI reserves the right to require official transcripts at any time during the admission process, and rescind any offer of admission if discrepancies between unofficial and official transcript(s) are found. Official transcripts will be required if you are offered admission and decide to accept. Do not send official transcripts prior to this, unless requested.

GRE Test Scores

The Department of Chemistry does not require the GRE General Test or GRE Subject Tests.

Teaching Assistant Requirement

Chemistry Ph.D. students are funded as teaching assistants during their first year, and all students must satisfy UCI Graduate Division's English Proficiency for Teaching Assistantships policy in one of three ways:

• Undergraduate degree from an institution, at which English was the  sole  language of instruction, according to the  World Higher Education Database , within five years 1 prior to admission to a graduate program at UCI.
• A speaking section score of 26 or higher is required for TA eligibility.
• A speaking module score of 8 or higher is required for TA eligibility.

Applicants who do not meet one of the three criteria above are typically not admitted. However, if you do not meet this English requirement, and you are a highly qualified student who would fill a need in our research team, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Chemistry faculty whose research interests you and apply to the program.

For more detailed information on these exams of spoken English proficiency, including the respective passing scores and how to determine if a student is eligible for an exemption, please review the  English Proficiency Chart .

1  Students who have received an undergraduate degree in an institution with English as its sole language of instruction, and who are more than five years beyond, must pass a UCI oral screening assessment, if they decide to accept an offer of admission, in order to work as a teaching assistant.

If you have any questions please visit our Frequently Asked Questions , or you may send your inquiry to  [email protected] .

April 19, 2012

What does a Ph.D. in chemistry get you?

By Janet D. Stemwedel

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

A few weeks back, Chemjobber had an interesting post looking at the pros and cons of a PhD program in chemistry at a time when job prospects for PhD chemists are grim. The post was itself a response to a piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education by a neuroscience graduate student named Jon Bardin which advocated strongly that senior grad students look to non-traditional career pathways to have both their Ph.D.s and permanent jobs that might sustain them. Bardin also suggested that graduate students "learn to approach their education as a series of learning opportunities rather than a five-year-long job interview," recognizing the relative luxury of having a "safe environment" in which to learn skills that are reasonably portable and useful in a wide range of career trajectories -- all while taking home a salary (albeit a graduate-stipend sized one).

Chemjobber replied :

Here's what I think Mr. Bardin's essay elides: cost. His Ph.D. education (and mine) were paid for by the US taxpayer. Is this the best deal that the taxpayer can get? As I've said in the past , I think society gets a pretty good deal: they get 5+ years of cheap labor in science, (hopefully) contributions to greater knowledge and, at the end of the process, they get a trained scientist. Usually, that trained scientist can go on to generate new innovations in their independent career in industry or academia. It's long been my supposition that the latter will pay (directly and indirectly) for the former. If that's not the case, is this a bargain that society should continue to support? Mr. Bardin also shows a great deal of insouciance about the costs to himself: what else could he have done, if he hadn't gone to graduate school? When we talk about the costs of getting a Ph.D., I believe that we don't talk enough about the sheer length of time (5+ years) and what other training might have been taken during that time. Opportunity costs matter! An apprenticeship at a microbrewery (likely at a similar (if not higher) pay scale as a graduate student) or a 1 or 2 year teaching certification process easily fits in the half-decade that most of us seem to spend in graduate school. Are the communications skills and the problem-solving skills that he gained worth the time and the (opportunity) cost? Could he have obtained those skills somewhere else for a lower cost?

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Chemjobber also note that while a Ph.D. in chemistry may provide tools for range of careers, actually having a Ph.D. in chemistry on your resume is not necessarily advantageous in securing a job in one of those career.

As you might imagine this is an issue to which I have given some thought. After all, I have a Ph.D. in chemistry and am not currently employed in a job that is at all traditional for a Ph.D. in chemistry. However, given that it has been nearly two decades since I last dipped a toe into the job market for chemistry Ph.D.s, my observations should be taken with a large grain of sodium chloride.

First off, how should one think of a Ph.D. program in chemistry? There are many reasons you might value a Ph.D. program. A Ph.D. program may be something you value primarily because it prepares you for a career of a certain sort. It may also be something you value for what it teaches you, whether about your own fortitude in facing challenges, or about how the knowledge is built. Indeed, it is possible --- maybe even common --- to value your Ph.D. program for more than one of these reasons at a time. And some weeks, you may value it primarily because it seemed like the path of least resistance compared to landing a "real job" right out of college.

I certainly don't think it's the case that valuing one of these aspects of a Ph.D. program over the others is right or wrong. But ...

Economic forces in the world beyond your graduate program might be such that there aren't as many jobs suited to your Ph.D. chemist skills as there are Ph.D. chemists competing for those jobs. Among other things, this means that earning a Ph.D. in chemistry does not guarantee you a job in chemistry on the other end.

To which, as the proud holder of a Ph.D. in philosophy, I am tempted to respond: join the club! Indeed, I daresay that recent college graduates in many, many majors have found themselves in a world where a bachelors degree guarantees little except that the student loans will still need to be repaid.

To be fair, my sense is that the mismatch between supply of Ph.D. chemists and demand for Ph.D. chemists in the workplace is not new. I have a vivid memory of being an undergraduate chemistry major, circa 1988 or 1989, and being told that the world needed more Ph.D. chemists. I have an equally vivid memory of being a first-year chemistry graduate student, in early 1990, and picking up a copy of Chemical & Engineering News in which I read that something like 30% too many Ph.D. chemists were being produced given the number of available jobs for Ph.D. chemists. Had the memo not reached my undergraduate chemistry professors? Or had I not understood the business model inherent in the production of new chemists?

Here, I'm not interested in putting forward a conspiracy theory about how this situation came to be. My point is that even back in the last millennium, those in the know had no reason to believe that making it through a Ph.D. program in chemistry would guarantee your employment as a chemist.

So, what should we say about this situation?

One response to this situation might be to throttle production of Ph.D. chemists.

This might result in a landscape where there is a better chance of getting a Ph.D. chemist job with your Ph.D. in chemistry. But, the market could shift suddenly (up or down). Were this to happen, it would take time to adjust the Ph.D. throughput in response. As well, current PIs would have to adjust to having fewer graduate students to crank out their data. Instead, they might have to pay more technicians and postdocs. Indeed, the number of available postdocs would likely drop once the number of Ph.D.s being produced more closely matched the number of permanent jobs for holders of those Ph.D.s.

Needless to say, this might be a move that the current generation of chemists with permanent positions at the research institutions that train new chemists would find unduly burdensome.

We might also worry about whether the thinning of the herd of chemists ought to happen on the basis of bachelors-level training. Being a successful chemistry major tends to reflect your ability to learn scientific knowledge, but it's not clear to me that this is a great predictor of how good you would be at the project of making new scientific knowledge.

In fact, the thinning of the herd wherever it happens seems to put a weird spin on the process of graduate-level education. Education , after all, tends to aim for something bigger, deeper, and broader than a particular set of job skills. This is not to say that developing skills is not an important part of an education --- it is! But in addition to these skills, one might want an understanding of the field in which one is being educated and its workings. I think this is connected to how being a chemist becomes linked to our identity, a matter of who we are rather than just of what we do.

Looked at this way, we might actually wonder about who could be harmed by throttling Ph.D. program enrollments.

Shouldn't someone who's up for the challenge have that experience open to her, even if there's no guarantee of a job at the other end? As long as people have accurate information with which to form reasonable expectations about their employment prospects, do we want to be paternalistic and tell them they can't?

(There are limits here, of course. There are not unlimited resources for the training of Ph.D. chemists, nor unlimited slots in graduate programs, nor in the academic labs where graduate students might participate meaningfully in research. The point is that maybe these limits are the ones that ought to determine how many people who want to learn how to be chemists get to do that.)

Believe it or not, we had a similar conversation in a graduate seminar filled with first and second year students in my philosophy Ph.D. program. Even philosophy graduate students have an interest in someday finding stable employment, the better to eat regularly and live indoors. Yet my sense was that even the best graduate students in my philosophy Ph.D. program recognized that employment in a job tailor-made for a philosophy Ph.D. was a chancy thing. Certainly, there were opportunity costs to being there. Certainly, there was a chance that one might end up trying to get hired to a job for which having a PhD would be viewed as a disadvantage to getting hired. But the graduate students in my philosophy program had, upon weighing the risks, decided to take the gamble.

How exactly are chemistry graduate students presumed to be different here? Maybe they are placing their bets at a table with higher payoffs, and where the game is more likely to pay off in the first place. But this is still not a situation in which one should expect that everyone is always going to win. Sometimes the house will win instead.

(Who's the house in this metaphor? Is it the PIs who depend on cheap grad-student labor? Universities with hordes of pre-meds who need chemistry TAs and lab instructors? The public that gets a screaming deal on knowledge production when you break it down in terms of price per publishable unit? A public that includes somewhat more members with a clearer idea of how scientific knowledge is built? Specifying the identity of the house is left as an exercise for the reader.)

Maybe the relevant difference between taking a gamble on a philosophy Ph.D. and taking a gamble on a chemistry Ph.D. is that the players in the latter have, purposely or accidentally, not been given accurate information about the odds of the game.

I think it's fair for chemistry graduate students to be angry and cynical about having been misled as far as likely prospects for employment. But given that it's been going on for at least a couple decades (and maybe more), how the hell is it that people in Ph.D. programs haven't already figured out the score? Is it that they expect that they will be the ones awesome enough to get those scarce jobs? Have they really not thought far enough ahead to seek information (maybe even from a disinterested source) about how plausible their life plans are before they turn up at grad school? Could it be that they have decided that they want to be chemists when they grow up without doing sensible things like reading the blogs of chemists at various stages of careers and training?

Presumably, prospective chemistry grad students might want to get ahold of the relevant facts and take account of them in their decision-making. Why this isn't happening is somewhat mysterious to me, but for those who regard their Ph.D. training in chemistry as a means to a career end, it's absolutely crucial -- and trusting the people who stand to benefit from your labors as a graduate student to hook you up with those facts seems not to be the best strategy ever.

And, as I noted in comments on Chemjobber's post , the whole discussion suggests to me that the very best reason to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry is because you want to learn what it is like to build new knowledge in chemistry, in an academic setting. Since being plugged into a particular kind of career (or even job) on the other end is a crap-shoot, if you don't want to learn about this knowledge-building process -- and want it enough to put up with long hours, crummy pay, unrewarding piles of grading, and the like -- then possibly a Ph.D. program is not the best way to spend 5+ years of your life.

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10 Top PhD Programs in Chemistry in 2024

A PhD program in Chemistry can equip you with a range of professional skills and advanced knowledge in the field. With a doctorate in chemistry on your resume, you’ll be able to find prestigious jobs in research labs, industry, academia, or government.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of chemists and material scientists is $79,760 , and jobs are estimated to grow by 6%  over the next decade, in line with growth prospects for all professions.

Which of the best PhD programs in Chemistry is right for you?

Read on to learn about the best programs, including essential information like tuition, acceptance rates, and whether you can get a degree online or not.

Table of Contents

Top PhD Programs in Chemistry

1. massachusetts institute of technology.

PhD in Chemistry

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been ranked first in the nation  for Chemistry, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the best PhD in Chemistry programs. The program is flexible because students can choose courses based on their long-term research goals.

• Courses include: Principles of inorganic chemistry, crystal structure refinement, and heterocyclic chemistry.
• Credits: 48
• Duration: 4 years +
• Tuition:  Full funding
• Financial aid: Fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
• Delivery: On-campus
• Acceptance rate: 7.3%
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

2. Stanford University, School of Humanities and Sciences

Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research institutions with innovative and flexible programs. This chemistry PhD program is world-class with a cross-disciplinary approach, collaborating with various other departments and institutes.

• Courses include: Advanced inorganic chemistry, organic polyfunctional compounds, and chemical principles.
• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition: Refer tuition page
• Financial aid: Research assistantship, teaching assistantship, fellowships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5.2%
• Location: Stanford, California

3. California Institute of Technology, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Caltech’s Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is renowned for its large number of faculty members conducting leading research in chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. This chemistry doctoral program aims to develop students’ creative and original research abilities.

• Courses include: Bioinorganic chemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, and advanced quantum chemistry.
• Duration: 5.5 years average
• Tuition : $56,364
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, work-study, fellowships, assistantships, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 6.7%
• Location: Pasadena, California

4. Harvard University, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Harvard University’s faculty in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology division includes several Nobel and Welch Award laureates conducting research in various areas of interest in chemistry. In this PhD program for chemistry, students can pursue interdisciplinary research in various institutes and research centers in the Boston area.

• Courses include: Advanced organic chemistry, materials chemistry, and advanced inorganic chemistry.
• Duration: 5-6 years
• Tuition: Full funding
• Financial aid: Scholarships, research assistantships, and fellowships.
• Acceptance rate: 5%

5. Northwestern University, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking that is adaptive, flexible, and practical in the context of the modern world. This chemistry PhD program aims to provide students with a strong foundation in chemistry and valuable exposure to research projects important to wider society.

• Courses include: Organic chemistry, physical/analytical chemistry, and biological chemistry.
• Financial aid: Fellowships, graduate assistantships, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 9.3%
• Location: Evanston, Illinois

6. Yale University, Department of Chemistry

Yale is one of the most acclaimed universities in the world, with a diverse student population, including 22%  international students from a total of 115 different nations . This flexible PhD chemistry program allows students to choose their areas of study based on their research subjects rather than maintaining a rigid course list.

• Courses include: Fundamentals of transition metal chemistry, bioinorganic spectroscopy, and organic structures & energetics.
• Financial aid: Stipends, fellowships, and grants.
• Acceptance rate: 6.5%
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut

7. The University of Chicago, Department of Chemistry

The chemistry department was one of the University of Chicago’s first departments to be inaugurated and currently has a strong faculty in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as interdisciplinary studies. This is also one of the most flexible Chemistry PhD programs in the country, allowing you to study from different departments as well as giving you the freedom to choose your areas of study.

• Courses include: Complex chemical systems, chemical biology, and chemical dynamics.
• Tuition : $63,936
• Financial aid: Fellowships, research assistantships, health insurance, grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

8. Princeton University, Department of Chemistry

Princeton University’s prestigious Frick Chemistry Laboratory encourages faculty and students to conduct collaborative and interdisciplinary research in the field. This doctorate degree in chemistry encourages students to pursue individualized studies and conduct original research in specific areas of chemistry.

• Courses include: Advanced quantum chemistry, biophysical chemistry, and synthetic organic chemistry.
• Tuition : $57,410
• Financial aid: Assistantships, fellowships, work-study, veteran benefits, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5.6%
• Location: Princeton, New Jersey

9. The University of California, Berkeley, College of Chemistry

The University of California was founded with a vision for a better future and is well-known as a pioneer in various areas, including diversity and free speech. This graduate program offers three concentrations: physical chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and chemical biology.

• Courses include: Chemical kinetics, coordination chemistry, and organic reactions.
• Tuition : $14,476
• Financial aid: Fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 17.5%
• Location: Berkeley, California

10. Cornell University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Cornell’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has a history of discovery and innovation and boasts Nobel laureates as well as National Academy Members among its faculty. The TATP (Teaching Assistant Training Program) is an integral part of this PhD program, and a satisfactory performance in this program is a mandatory part of the doctorate.

• Courses include: Engineering general chemistry, principles of organic chemistry, and physical chemistry of proteins.
• Financial aid: Teaching assistantship, research assistantship, fellowships, grants, stipend, and health insurance.
• Acceptance rate: 10.7%
• Location: Ithaca, New York

What Do You Need To Get a PhD in Chemistry?

To be admitted as a PhD candidate , you’ll generally need a master’s in chemistry or a related field. As part of the application process, you’ll typically need to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a personal statement or research proposal.

Other documentation may be required depending on the program you want to apply for, so check the requirements with the admissions office.

Most PhD in chemistry programs involve a mix of coursework, which may cover chemistry courses and related sciences, and a research thesis or dissertation.

To earn your doctorate in chemistry, you typically also need to participate in seminars, pass oral and written exams, and complete a teaching assistantship.

Preparing for a Chemistry Doctorate Program

A PhD in chemistry is a technical, relatively-difficult advanced degree, so it’s important to prepare well to get the best results. Ahead of commencing, or even applying for the program, familiarize yourself with the latest developments and research in the field.

It can be a good idea to join professional associations, take advantage of other networking opportunities, and seek out extra-curricular activities in the field. Practical experience can also be very valuable, so try to work in a lab if possible.

Things To Consider When Choosing a Chemistry PhD Program

There are a range of chemistry doctorate programs offered by different institutions and covering several different concentrations. Before choosing the right program for you, it’s important to carefully consider your interests, passions, and career goals in order to decide on your preferred area of study.

From there, look for strong programs in this discipline with renowned faculty specializing in your area of interest.

Other key factors to consider include the following:

• Mode of delivery: on-campus, online, or hybrid
• School location, accessibility, and affordability to live in the area if you’re planning on studying on campus
• Program costs, including not only tuition but also fees and other expenses
• Financial aid options

Why Get a Doctorate in Chemistry?

A PhD in chemistry is one of the most in-demand and highest-paying PhDs . Graduates with a PhD chemistry are highly employable, with most finding roles in private industry. According to Duke University , from their 242 candidates, 118 were employed in business/industry, and Boston University  also tells us that most PhD Chemistry holders are employed in the private sector.

The benefits of studying for a doctorate in chemistry include:

• High level of prestige
• Many chemistry PhD programs are fully-funded or offer access significant to financial aid
• Wide range of job prospects in academia, research, and management
• Access to senior leadership positions and opportunities to manage research projects

Jobs you can land with a PhD in Chemistry include:

• Post-doctoral Research Assistant ( $52,672 )
• Chemical Materials Scientist ( $130,008 )
• Professor of Chemistry ( $94,914 )
• Development Chemist ( $59,802 )
• Director of Research ( $107,150 )

The tuition for a PhD in chemistry can range from $10,000 to $70,000 based on various factors, with public schools being much more affordable than private schools. On top of tuition, you also need to consider other expenses, such as fees, study materials, and living expenses. However, many chemistry doctorates offer scholarships, grants, and even full funding.

For most programs, you’ll take around five years to complete a chemistry PhD when studying full-time. However, it can take up to seven years or even longer in some cases.

What Skills Do You Gain When Doing a Ph.D. in Chemistry?

You’ll build a range of advanced skills as part of a PhD in Chemistry program, most notably:

• Research skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Mentoring and teaching skills
• Leadership skills
• Organizational skills

PhD in Chemistry FAQs

How long does a phd in chemistry take.

A PhD in Chemistry takes five years to complete on average, though the duration can typically be anywhere between three and seven years.

Which Field of Chemistry Is Best for a PhD?

There is no single field that is best for a PhD in Chemistry. The best option for you will depend on your preferences, interests, and career ambitions. Common specializations include organic,         inorganic, physical, analytical, and computational chemistry.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Chemistry?

A PhD in chemistry is typically considered the most advanced degree in this scientific field and opens up a range of positions in academia, research, and the private sector. Positions for graduates with PhD doctorates include lecturers, professors, research leaders, environmental scientists, and materials scientists.

Is It Hard To Get a PhD in Chemistry?

Given that chemistry is a highly technical field and a PhD is an advanced degree, it’s not surprising that a PhD in chemistry is an in-depth, involved, and relatively-challenging degree. There’s no denying that you’ll need a background in the field and a certain degree of dedication to earn your doctorate in chemistry, but it’s certainly not impossible with some hard work and a little passion!

Key Takeaways

A PhD in chemistry is a valuable, advanced degree that opens up a wide range of career prospects, including senior-level positions in research, industry, and academia. There are a number of high-quality PhD programs in chemistry offered by renowned institutions across the country, covering a range of disciplines and including both on-campus and online programs .

Be clear on your areas of interest and career objectives, do your research to choose the best program for you, and you can’t go wrong!

For more options, look at our guide to the best online PhD programs , or if you’re ready to start preparing your application, check out our ultimate grad school test guide .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Ph.D. in Chemistry Application Instructions

Autumn 2023 application information for 2024-2025.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing doctoral studies in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington. Below you will find information regarding application deadlines and requirements. Please explore our website to learn more about our graduate program and areas of faculty research. We look forward to receiving your application!

Application Requirements

• Online Application Deadline: December 1, 2023.
• Applications must include all required documentation. As the Chemistry Graduate Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications, you are strongly encouraged to submit all required documentation by the application deadline.
• The Graduate School is transitioning to a new admissions system. If you have any questions about your application or encounter any issues, please email [email protected] before you submit your application.

Educational Background Requirements

Educational background should be equivalent to that of an undergraduate major in one of the natural sciences or engineering.

Applicants will automatically be considered for Teaching or Research Assistantships in the Department of Chemistry, and there is no separate application for these positions. English language proficiency is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency through one of the accepted methods outlined in Policy 3.2:  Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements . Policy 3.2 also includes the minimum accepted test scores for admission to the UW Chemistry Graduate Program:

TOEFL iBT: Minimum score 92* A minimum score of 26 on the speaking section is required in order to be exempt from further English testing. Applicants with a TOEFL iBT speak score in the range of 22 – 25 are also encouraged to apply if they have an exceptionally strong academic record.

Duolingo: Minimum score of 120* Applicants who use the Duolingo test will be required to undergo further testing to meet the spoken English requirement for Teaching Assistants who are not native speakers of English.

IELTS: Minimum score 7.0* Demonstrate spoken English proficiency with a minimum score of 7.0 on the speaking section of the IELTS.

GRE: GRE scores will not be accepted and will not be used as a factor for admission into the UW Chemistry Ph.D. program for the 2024-2025 academic year.

*Please note: TOEFL iBT, IELTS and Duolingo test scores are only valid for two years and must be valid on the date that your UW application is submitted.

Application Process & Fees

Apply online for admission to the Chemistry Ph.D. program. Upload all of the required materials via the application website as early as possible and prior to the application deadline. These materials should include all of the items listed below under Required Documentation. The non-refundable $85 application fee must be paid by credit card when you submit your application. Students with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to  apply for a fee waiver . Fee waivers can be requested as part of the application process by selecting “I am eligible for a fee waiver” from the payment method drop-down menu and then answering the Waiver Eligibility Questionnaire.

International applicants expecting a J-1 or F-1 visa are not eligible for application fee waivers. Visit the UW Graduate School  admissions website  for information about the admissions process, including an  overview of the admissions process  and information specific to  international students .

Required Documentation

Submit all of the following application materials electronically via the Graduate School online application website prior to the December 1, 2023 deadline. No materials should be sent via postal mail, as the Department of Chemistry and the University of Washington Graduate School do not accept paper submissions for this program.

1. One unofficial transcript from each college and/or university attended for credit (uploaded via the online application website). NOTE: Students who accept admission must submit official transcripts, which will be compared to unofficial transcripts submitted during the application process.

2. Three letters of recommendation , coordinated through and uploaded by writers to the online application website. Hard copy letters are discouraged; if your recommender prefers to send a paper copy then they should include the recommendation cover form with the letter of recommendation.

3. Please provide a statement of purpose that includes the following elements:

(i) an introduction to yourself, your interests, and motivations related to pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry,

(ii) a summary of your undergraduate career and other academic training experiences,

(iii) a description of your laboratory experience, research experience, outreach, leadership activities, and/or scholarly engagement outside of coursework and their impact on your current motivations, aspirations, and scientific interests, and

(iv) an explanation of why you would like to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry at UW. Please also include three faculty members in our department that are most aligned with your research interests and a brief explanation of your choices. All of these elements can be discussed in any order within your statement of purpose, and you are welcome to include additional information.

You will be evaluated for your potential to contribute to research at the UW (based on your research experience, relevant work experience, creativity in problem solving, aptitude for planning/organization, scholarly engagement outside of coursework) and your persistence in and commitment to educational success (based on indications of leadership, recognition of achievements, extracurricular activities, and educational/cultural/geographic background). The "Statement of Purpose" is also a good place to explain any items of concern that we may see in your application materials.  For example, if you received poor grades at some point during your academic studies due to extenuating circumstances, then providing an explanation here would be appropriate. The total length of the Statement of Purpose should be approximately 1 to 2 pages.

4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV).

5. Proof of English Proficiency  for applicants whose native language is not English. Your application will not be considered complete until items 1-5 listed above have been submitted.

All application materials should be submitted electronically. The Department of Chemistry and the UW Graduate School do not accept paper submissions for this program. You will be notified of the Chemistry Graduate Admissions Committee’s decision no later than the end of March.

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Chemistry PhD

Thank you for your interest in the UC San Diego Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program. We have over 300 bright and talented graduate students with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. We offer programs for the Doctoral, Masters, and Joint Doctoral degrees. Below you will find information on the needed application materials and criteria.

Application Deadline

PhD Admissions Deadline for Fall 2024 is December 6, 2023 (to be confirmed)

General Application Information

To begin your online application or to check the status on your application, please visit  connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply . Information you enter may be saved at any time.

The Admissions & Recruitment Committee recommends submitting your application as soon as you complete it, even if we have not yet received all your letters of recommendation. We also highly recommend that you answer some/all of our additional questions about your educational experiences.

We review PhD files continuously beginning in late November and try to get the good news out to those we are recruiting to our program as soon as possible. If you have yet to hear from us, your file is still pending a final decision.

Please note that submitting your application requires an associated   application fee   although under many circumstances you may request that this fee be waived. Please read the application fee link above and inquire with  [email protected]  if you have any questions or would like more information on the waiver options.

Transcripts

Statement of purpose.

We recommend that you structure your Statement of Purpose to address the following four prompts:

• Describe your personal and professional motivations for pursuing research in the field of chemistry and/or biochemistry.
• the overall context and importance of the work,
• the specific goal of the work you were doing, (c) the methods by which you worked to achieve those goals
• what you learned and what your new understanding means for the future of the project. Include a short discussion of how your research experience has shaped your decision to apply to our graduate program.
• Specify one or more faculty members in our department whose current research aligns with your interests. Provide some insight into why you made the choice(s) you did.
• Describe any obstacles that you have overcome to achieve your academic and personal achievements as well as any contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion you have made.

We do not have a word limit, but we do recommend keeping your statement of purpose clear and concise.

Letters of Recommendation

We  require three letters of recommendation. Letter writers that are able to provide context and clarity with respect to your ability and potential to excel in a graduate program are the most helpful in evaluating your application (e.g. a research advisor or a professors from a course that knows you well). UC San Diego students applying for the MS program need to submit at least two letters – at least one from a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

If your letter writer needs a new link to submit their letter, please follow the instructions below:

• Log into  online application
• Click “Update Application”
• Go to “Letters of Recommendation” page
• Click “Resend” next to the name of your letter writer

GRE (not required)

Research experience, additional educational experiences, fee waiver programs.

There are a couple of fee waiver programs offered by the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

• Please fill out the application as much as you can  ( https://connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply/ )
• Do not submit the application nor enter any payment information
• Take note of your application's reference number (you'll need that for the next step)
• Fill out our Fee Waiver Request Form
• The deadline to be considered for one of the department's application fee waivers is December 4, 2023.
• If selected for an application fee waiver, we will contact you with further instructions by December 5, 2023.

English Proficiency Exams (International Applicants Only)

Applicants that have recently studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country in which English is a dominant language, are exempt from language testing requirements.

Demonstrated proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) is required for all other international applicants whose native language is not English. Requirements for demonstrating proficiency are listed below.

International applicants must include an official report of their TOEFL iBT or TSE scores from  ETS . The university-wide minimum TOEFL score for graduate admission is  550 for the paper based test (PBT), and 85 for the internet based test (iBT) . The minimum for the   IELTS Academic Training exam is a score of 7   and a score of   65 for the PTE Academic.

At minimum, international applicants must also have a   TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 23 , an   IELTS Speaking subscore of 7 , or a   PTE Speaking subscores of 65 .

Commitment to Diversity

The  Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes all applicants. The university and department have a long-standing commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within STEM fields from. Our commitment to diversifying the scientific workforce also includes people who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities.

Outreach Conferences 2023

National organization for the professional advancement of black chemists and engineers (nobcche).

September 11 - 14 | New Orleans, LA

American Chemistry Society National Meeting

August 13 - 17 | San Francisco, CA

California Diversity Forum

October 14 | San Francisco, CA

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

October 26 - 28 | Portland, OR

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)

November 16 - 18 | Phoenix, AZ

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Dec 6, 2023

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Graduate Program

Science in the 21st century is rich with opportunity and challenge. Our pillars for success in this complex world are all tied to interactions—between people and between disciplines. By building both strong interpersonal connections between our students and faculty, and effective bridges between disciplines, entering graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology can thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences.

Our graduate programs prioritize research and exploration. With many opportunities to interact with departments, research centers, and institutions across the Boston area, our students benefit from an interdisciplinary environment that encourages curiosity and innovation. Students can choose from one of our following two graduate degree programs:

Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Our program in Chemistry offers research and training opportunities in many subdisciplines of chemistry, including chemical biology, inorganic, organic, physical, and theoretical.

Chemical Physics

Our interdepartmental Chemical Physics program is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for the study of chemical problems by the methods and theories of modern physics.

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Visit the online course catalog for more specific degree requirements

Ph.D. Requirements

Credit Hours A minimum total 30 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours in chemistry courses. An overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.

Courses Students must pass at least 6 graduate lecture courses from at least 3 of 6 divisions with a minimum grade of 'C' in any one course during the first 4 semesters (excluding summers). Up to 2 courses may be waived for students entering with a M.S. degree in chemistry (or a closely related field with consent of the Chemistry Director of Graduate Studies).

Mentor The research mentor should be selected during the first semester. Students are required to interview a minimum of 5 chemistry faculty, including members of at least 2 divisions.

Committee The student will select his/her Dissertation Committee in consultation with the research mentor during the first 4 semesters of study. The committee consists of the mentor, a chemistry faculty in the same division, a chemistry faculty in a different division, an additional chemistry faculty, and a faculty member from a different department.

Cumulative Exams Students must complete a series of written cumulative examinations designed to show in-depth knowledge in the chosen area of concentration. Cumulative exams begin in the second semester and are given the third Saturday of January, March, May, September, and November.

Literature Seminar Students must enroll in seminar (Chem 695) each of their first 4 semesters (excluding summers) and attend departmental seminars. Students must make a presentation based on a topic under active discussion in the recent literature during their second or third semester. The remaining seminar attendance requirement may be waived after all other Master's candidacy requirements have been achieved.

Research Proposal Students must develop, explain, and defend a research proposal prior to the beginning of the 7th semester (excluding summers). The proposal may include preliminary results from the student's research and describe possible future directions.

Publications It is expected that prior to the Research Seminar, at least one manuscript based on the student's research would have been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Before completion of the Ph.D. program, at least one published article and at least one additional manuscript submitted to peer-reviewed journals is expected.

Research Seminar A one-hour seminar on the student's dissertation research project is to be given before the end of the 8th semester (excluding summers). This seminar must be completed at least 9 months prior to graduation. The MS degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the research seminar.

Dissertation A written dissertation describing the research program is submitted a minimum of 14 days before the defense. The defense consists of a one-hour seminar followed by an oral examination with the Faculty Reading committee.

Ph.D. Milestones

First Year Coursework Attend Seminars Select a Mentor Begin Research Begin Cumulative Exams (2nd semester) Literature Seminar (early)

Second Year Continue/Finish Coursework Continue/Finish Cumulative Exams Literature Seminar (deadline 3rd semester) Attend Seminars Research Organize Dissertation Committee

Third Year Research Finish Cumulative Exams Research Proposal

Fourth Year Research Research Seminar* *M.S. degree awarded

Fifth Year Finish Research Write and defend Dissertation* *Ph.D. awarded

Attention! 2018 Nobel Laureate Dr. George P. Smith to speak at UofL May 4th and 5th. Apr 26, 2023

2023-2024 Dorothy Gibson Memorial Fellowship and Arno Spatola Endowment Fellowship Nominations are now being accepted Feb 17, 2023

2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham to speak at UofL Mar 16, 2022

Dr. Frederick Luzzio receives College of Arts and Sciences 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity - Career Achievement Mar 01, 2022

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PhD Program

Professor Wender discusses chemistry with his graduate students.

Doctoral study in chemistry at Stanford University prepares students for research and teaching careers with diverse emphases in basic, life, medical, physical, energy, materials, and environmental sciences.

The Department of Chemistry offers opportunities for graduate study spanning contemporary subfields, including theoretical, organic, inorganic, physical, biophysical and biomedical chemistry and more. Much of the research defies easy classification along traditional divisions; cross-disciplinary collaborations with Stanford's many vibrant research departments and institutes is among factors distinguishing this world-class graduate program.

The Department of Chemistry is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development.  This advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement with mutual respect by both the adviser and advisee.

• The adviser is expected to meet at least monthly with the graduate student to discuss on-going research.
• There should be a yearly independent development plan (IDP) meeting between the graduate student and adviser. Topics include research progress, expectations for completion of PhD, areas for both the student and adviser to improve in their joint research effort.
• A research adviser should provide timely feedback on manuscripts and thesis chapters.
• Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.
• If there is a significant issue concerning the graduate student’s progress in research, the adviser must communicate this to the student and to the Graduate Studies Committee in writing.  This feedback should include the issues, what needs to be done to overcome these issues and by when.

Academic advising by Stanford faculty is a critical component of all graduate students' education and additional resources can be found in the  Policies and Best Practices for Advising Relationships at Stanford  and the  Guidelines for Faculty-Student Advising at Stanford .

Learn more about the program through the links below, and by exploring the research interests of the  Chemistry Faculty  and  Courtesy Faculty .

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Graduate Program at Colorado School of Mines

Create your future today.

At Colorado School of Mines, a graduate degree in chemistry can take your skills and knowledge to the next level. Solving real-world problems in areas such as sustainability, alternative energy, nanomedicines and water quality assessment are just some of the possibilities an advanced chemistry degree can provide. And with a variety of core research areas, including biochemistry, energy, organic and polymer chemistry and more, you’ll have the freedom to explore your passion.

Mines’ faculty provides professionals the top-notch education and training for the varied career opportunities afforded by this central scientific discipline. Our entire academic community works hard to ensure that our graduate students are fully prepared for advanced careers in chemistry, such as working as a chemist, pharmacologist, chemical engineer and more.

#4 best value college in the U.S. (#1 in Colorado) by Payscale.com , 2021

#4 Best Engineering College in the U.S., Money Magazine , 2020

$9.55 million in new research awards in 2022

Requirements and Costs

• Admission Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Cost of Attendance

  Master’s Non-Thesis

• Bachelor’s Degree : Required
• GRE : Not Required
• Letters of Recommendation : Required – two letters. Letters of recommendation are not required for current Mines students. 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) : Required
• Statement of Purpose : Required
• Transcript(s) : Required. Must be submitted for all schools attended (unofficial transcripts accepted for admissions review and must show successful completion of any required prerequisite course(s).
• For international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English, please review the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY requirement.

Master’s Thesis

• Bachelor’s degree : Required
• Letters of Recommendation : Required – three letters

For additional information about these admissions requirements, please refer to the Admissions Requirements page

View the Mines Academic Catalog for more program-specific information

*Allowance for fees based on mandatory fees charged to all students. Does not include fees for orientation, library, yearbook, refrigerator rental, voice messaging, etc.

At less than 4.5 credit hours, you may be ineligible for financial aid.

WHY STUDY CHEMISTRY AT MINES?

With top-tier research facilities, a renowned faculty and ample hands-on research opportunities, there are many reasons to consider Mines for your chemistry graduate degree. 

Countless students have chosen Colorado School of Mines for their graduate studies because: 

• #1 best college in Colorado (Niche, 2024)
• R1 Carnegie research institution
• 35,000+ square feet of makerspaces
• Internationally renowned faculty
• Unique student life with traditions such as the M Climb and Engineer Days
• Career Outcomes
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• Where Alumni Work
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At Mines, our entire campus community is dedicated to your success. With a dedicated faculty, hands-on field sessions and a focus on active research, we ensure that you’ll be prepared to thrive in a career path of your choice. 

• Analytical chemistry at EPA or FDA
• Synthetic chemistry at pharmaceutical research laboratories
• Materials chemistry in renewable energy space (such as batteries and solar cells)
• Scientist at national laboratories
• Science and technology teacher
• Tenure-track professor, teaching faculty or research faculty at primary undergraduate institution or research university
• Tenure-track professor, teaching faculty or research faculty at research university
• 3M Corporation
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• Colorado School of Mines
• Dow Chemical Company
• Dupont Company
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• U.S. Geological Survey

Career Services

Glory Russell-Parks PhD Candidate, Applied Chemistry

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

DR. TOM GENNETT

Presently, my applied/basic research program is energy system centric with a strong materials and engineering emphasis.  Our work is focused on developing and understanding materials for hydrogen and energy storage with specific applications for transportation and grid storage.

We have several on-going projects: (a) investigation into the mechanism of room temperature hydrogen sorption for carbon and framework sorbents while in parallel we develop next-generation characterization methodologies to understand the fundamental nature of gas-solid interactions;  (b) investigation of plasmonic, bio-inspired, porous liquids and frustrated Lewis-acid base materials for hydrogen carrier applications; and (c)  the development of hybrid energy storage materials by physical vapor deposition and ion-implantation methodologies.

Request for additional information

Fill out this form to receive more information about this exciting program.

Degree Options

Master’s non-thesis.

• Applied Chemistry

Admissions Deadlines

ACS Meetings & Expos

Acs fall 2024.

Hybrid event

Aug 18–22, 2024

Join us in Denver, Colorado from August 18-22 to get the latest research in chemistry, network, and attend career events. The theme of this meeting is "Elevating Chemistry" and will explore a variety of topics such as:

• Elevating chemistry performance
• Elevating chemistry for the public good
• Elevating safety for graduate students
• Elevating chemical education
• Chemistry in space
• Elevating the practice of sustainable chemistry
• Metals, minerals and molecules and more

Choose from thousands of oral presentations covering every area of chemistry, attend the poster session, and visit the expo hall to meet vendors and learn about new tools and processes.

Don’t miss the Keynote Events, including the Plenary and the Kavli Lecture Series, exploring the theme of the meeting, and featuring emerging leaders and innovations in chemistry.

In addition to the technical papers, ACS Fall 2024 offers several events to advance your career, explore career paths, and hone your leadership skills.

Our undergraduate student program prepares students for their next step, whether it’s exploring various careers or getting ready for graduate school. The educator events offer tips on effective teaching practices.

Explore all that ACS Fall 2024 has to offer!

Related Events:

28th annual green chemistry & engineering conference, acs africa regional conference on green and sustainable chemistry, 2024 southwest regional meeting, the international chemical congress of pacific basin societies 2025, acs institute.

Keep learning. Excel in your career.

Choose from more than 200 courses in seven different categories, taught by experts in the chemistry community, online and in person.

Explore the ACS Institute

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2024 Lectureship Award – Dr Roger Linington

The Chemical Institute of Canada (Biological/Medicinal Chemistry Division and Organic Chemistry Division) have awarded SFU’s Dr Roger Linington with the distinguished Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Lectureship Award.

As the Canada Research Chair in High-Throughput Screening and Chemical Biology, Dr Linington has made invaluable contributions to his field of research, which focuses on working at the interface of chemistry and biology to develop new metabolomics and informatics-driven discovery platforms for natural products research.

To learn more about the award:  https://www.cheminst.ca/awards/csc/bio-lectureship/

More details about Dr Linington’s research: https://info.liningtonlab.org/