Apply to Grad School

Apply to Grad School

Applying for admission to our Graduate Chemistry Degree program requires an application through MSU’s Graduate School. All applications must include academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, a résumé or curriculum vitae, and 3 letters of recommendation. Note – the statement of purpose should highlight your research interests, research experiences, and research groups at Mississippi State you want to contribute to. International students must provide English proficiency Exam scores for admission. More information regarding the allowable exams, required scores, and exemptions from this rule can be found on the Graduate School’s webpage on Test-scores.

To apply to the MS, PhD, or MSN programs in Chemistry, you must complete the University's official application process. You do NOT need to fill out a separate application for Departmental assistantships. We consider all MS and PhD applicants for assistantships when consider an admission decision.

  1. Go to the MSU Graduate School admission webpage. This page contains general information about the application process.
  2. When you have read the material on this page, click the Apply Now link in the top right corner, or go to https://apply.grad.msstate.edu/.
  3. You will be asked to set up a MyBanner account with Mississippi State University.
  4. Open the online application and fill out Section I according to the instructions. Most applicants will fall into one of two categories in the application: US Student or International Student.
  5. Upload documents and contact information for your letter or recommendation writers.
  6. Online applications are submitted electronically. Any documents such as transcripts that cannot submitted electronically should be mailed to:

Office of Admissions
P.O. Box G
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762-5507 USA

International Students must submit a TOEFL iBT or IELTS score, and the submission of a GRE score is recommended. The GRE and TOEFL code for Mississippi State University is 1480. If you can support your own studies, you should submit a “Declaration of Financial Support” form. All applicants are considered for financial aid and completion of this form will NOT reduce your chance of receiving aid. U.S. Students do not need to supply any test scores or the support form.

Although the deadline for graduate application are significantly later, all applicants who wish to be considered for assistantships in the Department (TA or RA) should complete their application and ensure ALL documents are received before:

  • January 1 (for Fall admission)

The Department recommends all new graduate students apply for Fall admission. The timeline associated with Fall admission allows for a more rigorous orientation for new students, which leads to a stronger start for most graduate students. Admission decisions are made on rolling-admission basis, where applications completed early have more opportunity for admission than those received later in the process. That being said, outstanding applicants may receive a rapid decision, where historically admission decisions on normal or average applicants can be over 6 weeks.

Entrance Requirements

Minimum Entrance Requirements for MS or PhD

  • A bachelor’s degree in chemistry (or a related area with additional course work equivalent to the requirements for a traditional chemistry major)
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75/4.0 over the last two years.
  • Have a bachelor's degree with the mode of instruction in English
    • Or a minimum of 8.0 on TOEFL Essentials, 69 on TOEFL iBT, or 6.0 on the IELTS exam.  

A student who has not met one or more of these requirements may be admitted as an unclassified or provisional student. Check the Bulletin of the Graduate School for further details.

Competitive Applicants for MS or PhD

  • A bachelor’s degree in chemistry (or a related area with significant course work similar to a traditional chemistry major). Degrees in Chemistry, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Material Science, and Biochemical or Chemical Engineering typically meet this requirement well. Degrees in Pharmacy are handled on a case-by-case basis. Advanced courses in multiple areas normally associated with chemistry degrees (Analytical, Biological, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry) are required for admission.
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.2/4.0 over the last two years.
  • Have a bachelor's degree with the mode of instruction in English
    • Or a minimum of 9.0 on TOEFL Essentials, 79 on TOEFL iBT, or 6.5 on the IELTS exam.  
  • Have earned significant research experience in academic or industrial settings

Minimum Entrance Requirements for MSN

  • A bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (or a related area with additional course work equivalent to the requirements for a traditional chemistry major)
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75/4.0 over the last two years.
  • Have a bachelor's degree with the mode of instruction in English
    • Or a minimum of 6.0 on TOEFL Essentials, 54 on TOEFL iBT, or 4.6 on the IELTS exam.  

Students admitted to the non-thesis MS (MSN) program will not be considered for Departmental assistantships. However, traditional financial aid programs are available through the university through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.