Master's Degree in
Polymer Chemistry
About the Polymer Chemistry Master's Degree
Pittsburg State University’s Department of Chemistry, together with the Plastics Engineering Technology Program and the Kansas Polymer Research Center, provides unprecedented bachelor's and master’s degree options for students in the midwest that enable students to enter the workforce as working polymer chemists in as little as four years.
The key to our program's success lies in its qualified faculty and small class size (average class size of 15), which ensures hands-on support and guidance. Our graduates enjoy a nearly 100% placement rate in groundbreaking careers or advanced degree programs.
More about the Program
Students learn from highly-qualified professors in small classes (average class size is 15) in order to ensure hands-on support and guidance on state-of-the-art equipment. Upon graduation, students will be well-positioned for doctoral program acceptance or to enter the workforce
Students may choose from two options.The first is a traditional two-year program for those who have already completed a bachelor’s degree.The second option combines the bachelor’s and master’s degrees into a five-year program. This option is the perfect choice for students who wish to accelerate their studies and proceed directly into the workforce or a doctoral program.
Option available for the degree:
Thesis Option:
This option is designed to prepare students for a doctoral program, for advanced professional careers, or for students wanting to complete an in-depth research experience.
Program Eligibility
Students must have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry or associated field with an overall undergraduate GPA of 2.7.
Upon arrival to campus, students admitted to the Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry Master’s program will complete a preliminary exam to determine their foundational knowledge in Chemistry. The scores on the entrance exam may necessitate taking undergraduate foundation courses (up to 9 credit hours). To review for this exam, we recommend two Open Educational Resources (OER) books from OpenStax (openstax.org): 1) Chemistry 2e and 2) Organic Chemistry by McMurry.
Graduate Assistantships: Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships are subject to availability.
International Students: To be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, you must have earned a score of at least 22 in the speaking section of the TOEFL or at least 7 in the speaking section of the IELTS or at least a 50 SPEAK test score.
Application Deadlines:
April 1 – Fall enrollment
September 15 – Spring enrollment
Career Opportunities
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of careers in industry, academia, and government. Students earning a graduate degree will be well-positioned to be accepted into a doctoral program or enter the workforce. Polymer industries are among the largest employers in chemistry and materials science with high tech, high value jobs for science majors. Our graduates are qualified for a variety of jobs including:
- Research Scientist
- Synthetic Polymer Chemist
- Materials Engineer/Scientist
- Polymer Technician
- and many more
The median salary for chemists earning a graduate degree is $86,000, according to the American Chemical Society.