Students have three tracks to pursue their Master’s degree. They must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00.

• The Research Thesis (plan A) option is designed for full-time students who wish to continue their PhD graduate education, or who want to pursue an R&D or secondary education career. Graduate assistantships are available for students in this track. The thesis program requires at least 18 credits of formal lecture or lecture/laboratory courses, with the remaining 12 credits dedicated to research leading to a written thesis. Students also must register for a graduate seminar each semester they are in residence, and present a seminar to the department each year. At the end of the student?s studies, the thesis is defended in an oral examination.
• The Research Project (plan B) is a non-thesis option intended primarily for working students pursuing the master’s degree part time. Students complete at least 30 credits of formal course work and a short project (5 hours) in the laboratory. A graduate seminar is required. These students are not eligible for assistantships.
• Library Research Project (plan C) is a non-thesis option intended primarily for working students pursuing the master’s degree part time. Students complete at least 30 hours of formal course work and a short project (5 hours) in the library. A graduate seminar is required. These students are not eligible for assistantships.

Graduates of MS program are prepared for careers in industrial, government, or university laboratories and in secondary schools as teachers of chemistry, as well as entry into a PhD or MD program.