Future students: Graduate admissions

• Requirements for applicants residing in the U.S.

  The Department of Chemistry strongly recommends all application materials be submitted by Dec. 1. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed until all available positions have been filled.

  Please submit the following:

  • Online application
  • Statement of interest describing the following points in no more than two pages:
    • Describe why you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry and your long-term career goals.
    • Describe any previous research experiences you have had.
  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The Graduate School requires an international transcript evaluation. If you are accepted and this evaluation is needed, the chemistry department will contact you to initiate the process.
  • Three letters of recommendation (online submission preferred)

  For applicants without a bachelor's or master's from a college or university within the United States

  Include a copy of your visa, passport and I-94. If you are offered admission, F-1 students must contact their international student's office to get released into the "Intl Grad Admissions/Wayne State Univ" section of SEVIS. Without the release, Wayne State University cannot process a new I-20.

• Requirements for international applicants

  The Department of Chemistry strongly recommends all application materials be submitted by Dec. 1. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed until all available positions have been filled.

  Please submit the following:

  • Online application
  • Statement of interest describing the following points in no more than two pages:
    • Describe why you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry and your long-term career goals.
    • Describe any previous research experiences you have had.
  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. The Graduate School requires an international transcript evaluation. If you are accepted and this evaluation is needed, the chemistry department will contact you to initiate the process. 
  • Three letters of recommendation (online submission preferred)
  • Proof of language proficiency (see Graduate School requirements)
    • Successful applicants typically present TOEFL iBT composite scores equal or better than 90 with all subsection scores equal to or better than 20. The university also accepts Duolingo, MET, PTE and IELTS.
    • For TOEFL (or Duolingo, MET, PTE or IELTS), scores, please upload a copy of your report along with your application. Official test scores are not required for the review of your application. You can arrange to have official electronic scores sent after you are offered admission to the program.
• Acceptance into the program

  The Department of Chemistry reviews completed applications on a rolling basis. When an applicant undergoes the first review, they are admitted, placed on hold for further review or denied.

  The weight of the decision is based on several variables including the strength of the recommendation letters, how well the statement of interest addresses the criteria listed in the instructions and GPA (minimum of 3.0 or its equivalent in upper division coursework).

  For international applicants, significant weight is also placed on TOEFL scores.

• Financial support

  The chemistry department provides 12 months of financial support to nearly all students during each year of program tenure through a combination of teaching and research assistantships. Included in this support is the payment of up to 10 credits of tuition each semester and full family health and dental insurance. Typical teaching assistants receive stipends (in addition to tuition and health insurance benefits) of approximately $29,000. This generous support allows our students to concentrate on research and full-time study.

  During the first year of study, most students are supported with a graduate teaching assistantship (GTA) After the first year, financial support is generally provided by a combination of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships, allowing students to concentrate on dissertation research.

  Visit scholarships and financial aid for more information.