Graduate Programs

Illinois State University, the oldest public institution of higher education in the state, offers an excellent Master of Science (M.S.) program in chemistry. This program emphasizes courses and research experiences relevant to career opportunities in industry, teaching, professional school, and advanced study. In the past 6 years, 63% of our graduates have gone on to positions in industry or education and we have active positive relationships with several companies in a 500 mile radius. An additional 30% of our students have gone on to receive more advanced degrees.

In recent years, the enrollment has averaged approximately 40, of which about 25 students are supported on graduate teaching assistantships and about ten on research assistantships. A steady increase in our external funding for research is driving a projected increase in this total enrollment to 50–55 students. The number of Master of Science graduates for the past 15 years has averaged more than 10 per year, including about 25 percent who earned their Bachelor of Science degrees in fields other than chemistry. Students typically spend 2 to 3 years in the program before earning their degrees. The Department of Chemistry is staffed with 21 tenured and tenure‐track faculty.

It is common for graduate students to present results of their research at regional and national scientific meetings in addition to being co-authors on publications.