MS in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Arizona State University Tempe

Program Overview

The MS in Chemistry at Arizona State University is designed for students who want advanced preparation in analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, environmental chemistry and geochemistry while developing the ability to address complex molecular-scale problems. It suits students aiming for research, industry, government or further doctoral study, with flexible options to complete a thesis, applied project or capstone.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish their graduate-level foundation through CHM 501 Current Topics in Chemistry or BCH 501 Current Topics in Biochemistry, alongside advanced chemistry electives and CHM 591 Seminar. Depending on the chosen plan, students also begin CHM 592 Research, developing research skills around areas such as energy and sustainability, chemical measurement, materials and nanoscience, medicine and health, or molecular science.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialization through additional 500-level coursework and complete the program's culminating experience. The research-focused options include CHM 592 Research followed by either CHM 599 Thesis or CHM 593 Applied Project, while the capstone route concludes with CHM 597 Capstone and emphasizes the application and communication of advanced chemistry knowledge.

Focus areas: Analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, energy and sustainability, chemical measurement, fundamental molecular science, materials and nanoscience, medicine and health, structure-function and dynamics.

Learning outcomes: Evaluate the quality of chemistry seminars and publications, design a culminating experience around current research and a topic of interest, and communicate the results of the culminating experience through an oral presentation.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and ASU states that accreditation signals that the program meets high academic standards and supports recognition by employers and graduate schools.

Reputation (employability rankings): ASU ranks No. 2 in the U.S. among public universities for employability in the Global Employability University Ranking and Survey for 2023–26; ASU also reports that its chemistry subject area is ranked among the top 20 U.S. public universities by ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the MS in Chemistry at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus develop practical research skills through advanced coursework, seminars and a research component that can culminate in a thesis, applied project or capstone. The program gives students opportunities to work across analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, environmental and computational chemistry, with many students joining transdisciplinary research teams focused on areas such as energy and sustainability, chemical measurement, materials and nanoscience, medicine and health. ASU’s School of Molecular Sciences provides access to specialized research facilities and advanced instrumentation, giving students experience with techniques used in contemporary chemistry research.

Program-specific experiential opportunities include:

Research projects: Students can complete CHM 592 Research and choose a thesis, applied project or capstone as their culminating experience, allowing them to apply their chemistry knowledge to a substantial research or practical problem.
Transdisciplinary research: Graduate students can join research teams working on energy and sustainability, chemical measurement, molecular science, geologic and biospheric science, materials and nanoscience, medicine and health, and structure, function and dynamics.
Advanced analytical instrumentation: The School of Molecular Sciences provides access to facilities including the Magnetic Resonance Research Center, High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Facility, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Facility, Ultrafast Laser Facility, and Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy.
NMR research: The Magnetic Resonance Research Center includes 850, 800, 600 and 500 MHz NMR spectrometers, as well as 400 MHz systems for routine synthetic and drug-design applications and wide-bore systems for solid-state NMR and other experiments.
Mass spectrometry: Students involved in relevant research can benefit from ASU’s High Resolution Mass Spectrometry laboratory and its range of ionization techniques, including electron ionization, chemical ionization, electrospray ionization and atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization.
Materials characterization: The Eyring Materials Center supports chemistry research using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
Digital laboratory tools: ASU’s newly developed chemistry and biochemistry laboratories on the Tempe campus incorporate digital learning technologies, remote instrumentation and augmented reality, while enabling students to maintain carbonless records of their laboratory work.
Environmental and analytical chemistry: The Metals, Environmental and Terrestrial Analytical Laboratory (METAL) supports chemistry research with elemental analysis, gas chromatography, isotopic analysis and wet-chemistry facilities; laboratory staff can train users from sample preparation through data-quality evaluation.
Collaborative laboratory environment: ASU’s Bateman Physical Sciences Center chemistry laboratories were designed to support enhanced collaboration and experiential learning comparable to industrial laboratory environments, with the facilities serving both undergraduate and graduate students.
Research communication: Students develop the ability to evaluate chemistry seminars and publications and communicate the results of their culminating experience through an oral presentation, providing experience in scientific communication alongside laboratory and research work.
Internships and field trips: A specific internship or field-trip requirement for the MS in Chemistry is not stated on ASU’s official program page; the program instead emphasizes research, applied projects, capstone work and access to research facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MS in Chemistry at Arizona State University prepares graduates for careers spanning chemical research and development, quality control, environmental science, government research and scientific consulting. Students build advanced expertise across analytical, organic, physical, inorganic and environmental chemistry, while thesis, applied-project and capstone pathways allow them to develop research and professional skills relevant to different career directions.

Career opportunities: Chemical Technician, Environmental Science Specialist, Materials Scientist, Science Consultant.

Career support and progression:

Career services: ASU provides career support including résumé assistance, mock interviews, job insights and access to career fairs, helping students connect with employers and prepare for employment.
Employment opportunities: ASU reports that 87% of new graduates were employed, continuing their education, volunteering or serving in the military within six months of graduation; this is an ASU-wide figure and is not specific to the MS in Chemistry.
Salary information: ASU's chemistry career data lists a $91,240 median U.S. salary for chemists and $117,790 for materials scientists. These figures are occupational data rather than salaries specifically earned by ASU MS Chemistry graduates.
Research and industry relevance: Students can join transdisciplinary research teams working on areas including energy and sustainability, chemical measurement, materials and nanoscience, medicine and health, and geologic and biospheric science, connecting advanced chemistry training with contemporary research challenges.
Industry connections: ASU highlights access to internships and industry partnerships across the university, including organizations such as Intel, NASA and Mayo Clinic; the MS Chemistry page does not state that these organizations are specific partners of this particular degree.
STEM-OPT opportunity: The MS in Chemistry is STEM-OPT extension eligible, meaning eligible international students in F-1 status may qualify for a 24-month extension following the standard 12-month OPT period, subject to federal requirements.
Accreditation value: ASU's academic programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ASU states that accreditation signals that the program meets high academic standards and supports continuous improvement, with the degree recognized by employers and respected by graduate schools.
Graduation outcomes: The program develops skills in evaluating scientific publications and seminars, designing a culminating experience around current research opportunities, and communicating research results through oral presentations. Graduates can pursue roles in industry, academia, government, nonprofit organizations and entrepreneurship.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into a PhD in Chemistry at Arizona State University, which develops independent research expertise through advanced coursework, seminars, extensive research and a dissertation. The ASU Chemistry PhD supports research across areas such as analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, environmental and geological chemistry, as well as energy and sustainability, materials and nanoscience, medicine and health, and molecular science.