Chemical Engineering Master of Science (M.S.)

The Chemical Engineering M.S. at Ohio University is strongly research-oriented, giving graduate students opportunities to work directly with faculty on advanced Chemical Engineering problems. The department reports more than $5 million in sponsored research annually, with research spanning advanced energy storage, electrochemical engineering, corrosion, atmospheric chemistry, biochemical engineering, polymer processing and clean-coal technology; graduate students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.

Students can develop practical research and technical skills through these program-specific opportunities:

• Faculty-led research: M.S. students can conduct research with Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering faculty in areas including advanced materials processing, molecular modeling, electrochemical engineering, batteries and fuel cells, energy and pollution control, and biomedical/biochemical engineering.
• Thesis research: Students choosing the thesis pathway undertake substantial research under a faculty advisor and complete a master's thesis, providing direct experience in planning, conducting and communicating research.
• Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology (ICMT): This specialized research institute focuses on corrosion and multiphase flow, particularly challenges affecting energy-production and transportation infrastructure.
• Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (ISEE): The Russ Research Opportunity Center houses ISEE research laboratories and analytical facilities for chemical-process R&D, battery testing and materials-performance characterization.
• Analytical equipment: ISEE facilities include equipment such as a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for high-resolution material characterization, alongside facilities for analyzing solids, liquids and gases.
• Advanced energy research: Students can work in research areas involving batteries, fuel cells, electrochemical engineering and alternative energy, connecting Chemical Engineering theory with current energy technologies.
• Atmospheric and environmental research: Research opportunities include air-quality and atmospheric chemistry, energy and pollution control, providing practical exposure to environmental engineering challenges.
• Molecular modeling and materials: Graduate research includes molecular modeling, advanced materials processing, nanotechnology and colloidal/interfacial phenomena, allowing students to pursue computational as well as experimental research.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Chemical Engineering faculty collaborate with researchers in biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, civil engineering and mechanical engineering, giving graduate students opportunities to work across disciplinary boundaries.
• Graduate research resources: Ohio University's Russ College identifies dedicated research centers and institutes, including the Center for Advanced Materials Processing and Center for Scientific Computing and Immersive Technologies, as resources available within its graduate research environment.
• Research seminars: M.S. students register for CHE 6000 – Seminar during their graduate study, providing a structured opportunity to engage with and communicate technical research.
• Safety and laboratory preparation: Graduate students are required to complete safety training during their first term, supporting safe participation in laboratory and research activities. 

The Chemical Engineering M.S. at Ohio University is designed to prepare graduates for industrial positions that require advanced Chemical Engineering knowledge, specialized technical expertise and project-management experience, while also providing a strong foundation for doctoral study. The university specifically identifies opportunities for graduates to move into government and industry leadership roles, with specialization available in areas such as energy, advanced materials, electrochemical engineering, environmental engineering and biotechnology.

Potential career roles include: Chemical Process Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Energy Engineer, Process Safety Engineer.

• Career support: Russ College's career services provide career discovery and development, résumé and interview training, engineering-specific career fairs, employer meet-and-greets, information sessions and on-campus interviews. Students can also use Handshake for employment and internship opportunities.
• Employer network: Ohio University's engineering career office lists employers that have hired Russ College students for internships and/or full-time positions, including Chemours, DuPont, General Electric, General Mills, Honda, Solvay, Parker Hannifin and American Electric Power. These are university-wide engineering employer relationships rather than M.S. Chemical Engineering-specific placement guarantees.
• Industry partnerships: Ohio University's Industry Partnerships Office facilitates relationships involving research, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, internships and career placement, creating opportunities for students to connect with external organizations.
• Employment outcomes: Russ College reports 98.89% of recent graduates whose outcomes were known were employed or continuing their education, across the college rather than specifically the Chemical Engineering M.S.
• University-wide master's outcomes: Ohio University's 2026 consumer information reports an 82.09% one-year post-graduation employment rate for master's graduates in the reported Athens and Lancaster cohorts. This figure covers master's degrees university-wide and is not specific to Chemical Engineering.
• Salary reference: Ohio University's engineering salary data reports a $21/hour average internship wage for Chemical Engineering in 2021–22 and a $69,996 average starting salary for Chemical Engineering bachelor's graduates nationally in the 2021 NACE salary survey. These figures are not M.S.-specific salary outcomes.
• Research and industry relevance: Russ College is an R1 research institution with eight research-focused centers and institutes and reported $15.2 million in faculty research funding in 2024, giving graduate students access to a substantial research environment.
• Accreditation value: Ohio University's B.S. in Chemical Engineering is ABET-accredited; the university does not identify the M.S. itself as an ABET-accredited program. The graduate degree therefore adds advanced specialization beyond the accredited undergraduate engineering foundation rather than carrying a separate ABET accreditation.
• Graduation pathways: The M.S. is explicitly positioned for both industrial careers and doctoral study, allowing students to use their advanced specialization and research experience either in professional engineering roles or as preparation for further academic research.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S., students can continue into Ph.D.-level study in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering/scientific discipline, at Ohio University or another institution. The M.S. thesis and research experience can provide particularly relevant preparation for students pursuing research-intensive doctoral programs, while specialized areas such as electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, energy and pollution control, and biomedical engineering can help shape a future research focus.