Applying to Our Programs

Applications for our Fall 2025 PhD and MS programs are now open. An application checklist and other requirements can be found on our graduate programs admission page. Students with financial need may also apply for an application fee waiver. Please contact chemistry@case.edu for admissions-related questions.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded for the demonstration of advanced and critical knowledge of chemistry, the completion of an original research project, and the satisfactory defense of a thesis reporting and interpreting this work. The PhD is typically earned after four to five years of full-time graduate study. Students are admitted into the PhD program on a full-time basis only. Advanced standing may be granted to students admitted to the PhD program who hold an MS degree in chemistry. It is not necessary to earn the MS degree to qualify for the PhD.             Apply Now!

Master of Science (MS) The Master of Science (MS) degree is awarded for a program of course work alone.  The MS degree is normally earned in two years or less. Course work toward the MS degree may be taken by part-time graduate students.  MS thesis research may only be taken by full-time graduate students.  The first year of course work is essentially the same for the MS and PhD programs. An entering MS student can transfer to the PhD program upon approval of the department. The department does not provide tuition or stipend for Masters students. Interested in learning more about our MS program? Please check out the recording of our virtual information session.         Apply Now!

Master of Science (MS), Entrepreneurship Track The Chemistry Entrepreneurship Program (CEP)  is a two-year professional MS degree in Chemistry with thesis offered in conjunction with the Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) at Case Western Reserve University.  The CEP provides studies in state-of-the-art chemistry, practical business, and technology innovation, as well as, real-life entrepreneurial experience to students with a bachelors, masters, or doctorate in a chemistry-related field. Each CEP student is paired with a mentor/advisor from the Department of Chemistry, who serves as academic advisor, long-term scientific resource, and connection to the world of technology commercialization and entrepreneurship.  With the assistance of the STEP, the mentor/advisor connects students with business leaders, executives, intellectual property experts, successful entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. Learn more about admissions into the STEP program here or contact STEP.   Apply Now!

Graduate Teaching Assistant Policy

A PDF version of the School of Graduate Studies’ Graduate Teaching Assistant Policies can be read here.

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for legal compliance and equity for students with appointments as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs).

Background:
Graduate students at Case Western Reserve University may receive financial support in a variety of ways: tuition credit, tuition remission, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, administrative assistantships, and part-time student employment. This policy provides guidance regarding graduate teaching assistantships. An appointment as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) contributes to a student’s primary objective of earning a graduate degree by providing training experiences coupled with financial support. This training compliments other learning objectives with hands-on instructional activities that build communication skills, content knowledge, and time management skills. The general policy is to assign GTAs teaching and instructive tasks that will provide a useful and meaningful experience in their major field or related field, and/or areas that may serve their future career goals.

Eligibility for Appointment:
To hold a GTA appointment, graduate students are expected to be in good academic standing, maintaining progress toward their degree, and meeting the instructional, teaching, and/or training obligations of their appointment. As of Summer Semester 2025, GTAs may not serve as the Instructor of Record for courses they assist with, but instead must perform their responsibilities under the oversight of a designated Instructor of Record. This policy applies to GTAs only and does not preclude departments from hiring students to teach as an Instructor of Record through employment procedures that are independent of GTA appointments (e.g., student employment positions, internships, fellowships, adjunct instructor appointments) when the student possesses the requisite knowledge and qualifications.

Period of Appointment:
A typical GTA appointment spans a semester or summer session. Duties as a GTA typically begin one week before the first day of classes and end when final grades are due, as determined by the academic calendar. GTAs should be appointed for no less than a full semester, unless prior written approval has been granted by the dean of the academic unit making the appointment.

GTA Time Commitment:
A ‘full-time’ GTA is considered a 50% appointment, translating to an average of 20 hours of GTA activities per week or less. A GTA’s workload may vary weekly, depending on the specific tasks and responsibilities that are required, recognizing that there are inherent peaks and valleys in serving in a teaching role (e.g., periods such as examinations and finals may vary from the regular semester). If a GTA believes their assistantship responsibilities routinely require more than an average of 20 hours per week, they should share such concerns with the Instructor of Record to discuss solutions. If a solution cannot be reached, the Program Director or Department Chair should be consulted as an additional resource. If a resolution is not reached at the department level, the student may elevate their concern to the Dean of the School/College and Dean of Graduate Studies.

Additional GTA Guidance:
Some degree programs may require specific periods of GTA experience to meet degree requirements due to critical skills that can be gained through teaching. These may be in the form of paid or unpaid GTA appointments and are considered as progress towards the degree in these cases. Satisfaction of such degree requirements are considered academic requirements and the expectations for such academic requirements are determined by the academic leadership for that graduate degree program. GTAs should consult the School of Graduate Studies Policies and Procedures (found here) as well as their program guidelines regarding policies and practices addressing student holidays, breaks, vacations, and parental and sick leave, as they are expected to follow such policies. The Office of the Provost requires all GTAs to complete training for their GTA responsibilities. If it has been 3 academic years since your initial training, you must complete the online webinar again to remain current with university policies and procedures. More information regarding this requirement can be found on the UCITE website. The individual course assignments and specific GTA responsibilities are at the discretion of the School/College, Department, and the faculty member who is designated as the Instructor of Record. The duties typically expected of a GTA are described in the Graduate Teaching Assistant Policy Appendix.

Reviewed: December 2024
Effective: January 1, 2025

More Information

A more detailed description of the regulations governing the PhD and MS degrees is given in the University Bulletin. This and other information can also be obtained by request from chemistry@case.edu.