Chemistry
Drexel’s Department of Chemistry offers MS and PhD programs with research opportunities across a wide range of disciplines, including analytical, atmospheric, inorganic, organic, materials, physical, polymer, and chemistry education. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the theoretical foundation and practical skills needed to address complex scientific challenges with real-world impact.
Graduate students are integral to the department’s research and academic life. Faculty work closely with students to explore both fundamental and applied research, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Current research areas include:
- Advanced analytical techniques for detecting trace air and water pollutants
- Molecular studies of biological systems and toxic substances
- Synthesis of compounds for medicinal and industrial use
- Laser-based methods for characterizing transient chemical species
- Investigation of macromolecules and polymeric materials
At Drexel, you’ll join a collaborative, forward-thinking community where your research contributes to solving some of today’s most pressing scientific and societal problems.
| Degree | Availability | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
MS |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
|
PhD |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
Concentrations
- Analytical Chemistry
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Biological Chemistry
- Chemical Education
- Chemical Theory and Computation
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Graduate Co-op eligible
The MS program is eligible for Graduate Co-op (fall, full-time, on-campus entry only).Application Requirements
On-Campus Program
Please view our academic calendar for term start dates.
| Fall (Sept.) | Winter (Jan.) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS (U.S. Applicants) | Sept. 1 | Nov. 15 | Feb. 15 | N/A |
| MS (International Applicants) | May 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| PhD Applicants | Priority: Dec 1 Regular: Jan 15 |
N/A | N/A | N/A |
PhD candidates: Preference for teaching fellowships is given to applications received by January 15, but applications received after this date will be considered for teaching fellowships until all positions have been awarded. While the department generally expects students to start at the beginning of the fall term, admission for winter, spring, and summer terms are possible under special circumstances for U.S. applicants (late graduation, switching over from industry, etc.).
For details regarding the items below, please review the Admission Application Instructions.
How to Submit Application Materials
Drexel Admissions is currently processing application documents received through the U.S. Postal Service and courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.), although there is a slight delay in processing these documents. We strongly recommend that you submit all official transcripts and supporting documentation electronically to enroll@drexel.edu. If your school is not able to send official transcripts electronically, please request that official documents be sent by mail or courier service. Please allow 3–4 weeks for transcripts and supporting documents sent by mail or courier to be processed. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time at Drexel and around the world. We will process all documents as soon as we receive them, but please expect some delays.Graduate Admission Application
Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $65 U.S. is required.
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.
Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.
International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to enroll@drexel.edu. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.
If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Standardized Test Scores
GRE scores are not required for applicants seeking admission to the graduate program.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 100/600/250), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS minimum Overall Band Score: 7.5), the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 68), or the Duolingo English Test (minimum score: 110), unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.
Essay
Please write approximately 500 words describing the research advisors whom you envision working with; how your interests, experience, and training align with their research; your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how a degree from Drexel will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.
Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Résumé
Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. It is highly recommended that these letters come from tenured or tenure-track faculty members at your undergraduate institution. Additional letters from scientists in leadership positions with whom you had professional contact are acceptable.
To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Mailing Addresses
By Postal Mail
Drexel University
Application Processing
PO Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101-4789
By Express Courier
(DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Drexel University
Application Processing
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2876