MS in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

George Washington University

Program Overview

The MS in Chemistry at George Washington University is a 30-credit graduate program designed for students seeking advanced careers in research universities, government and intelligence agencies, and scientific companies, while also providing a pathway toward a PhD in chemistry or medical school. Students develop advanced expertise across analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry through rigorous coursework, research opportunities and either a thesis or non-thesis pathway, with research areas including medicinal chemistry and drug design, proteomics, battery chemistry, renewable energy, spectroscopy, nanomaterials and biomaterials.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students begin by strengthening their graduate-level foundation across the major chemistry disciplines and selecting advanced coursework suited to their academic and research interests. Core options include CHEM 6222 Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, CHEM 6233 Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis, CHEM 6251 Advanced Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 6273 Chemical Thermodynamics, CHEM 6278 Molecular Spectroscopy and other 6000-level chemistry courses; students also participate in the department's seminar and colloquium programs.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialization through additional electives and research, with the pathway depending on whether they choose the thesis or non-thesis option. Thesis students complete CHEM 6395 Research, CHEM 6999 Thesis Research, and a research seminar followed by an oral defense, while non-thesis students complete additional coursework and may take approved courses from related areas such as forensic sciences, science and technology policy, public policy or international affairs.

Focus areas: Proteomics and bioanalytical methods development, synthetic medicinal chemistry and drug design, combustion, battery chemistry and renewable energy, laser and molecular spectroscopies, nanomaterials and biomaterials, modeling, coordination chemistry, and novel inorganic framework structures.

Learning outcomes: Students develop advanced knowledge across analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, research and problem-solving skills, and the ability to conduct and communicate graduate-level chemical research; thesis students additionally demonstrate their research through a written thesis, seminar and oral defense.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official MS in Chemistry program page does not state a separate professional accreditation for the master's degree. GW's Chemistry Department does identify American Chemical Society-certified tracks at the undergraduate level, but this should not be treated as accreditation of the MS in Chemistry.

Reputation (employability rankings): GW's official MS Chemistry materials state that graduates are prepared for careers at research universities, government and intelligence agencies, and companies worldwide, but the official program page does not publish a program-specific QS, Guardian or other employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the MS in Chemistry at George Washington University gain hands-on experience through a research-based curriculum, advanced laboratory training and direct participation in faculty-led research. The program offers thesis and non-thesis pathways, with the thesis option including dedicated thesis research and a research seminar, while students can work across areas such as proteomics, medicinal chemistry, battery chemistry, spectroscopy, nanomaterials, biomaterials and chemical modeling. GW’s location in Washington, D.C., also places chemistry students close to major scientific and government research institutions.

Practical research opportunities and resources include:

Graduate research: Students can participate in faculty research teams and collaborate with researchers across the Department of Chemistry, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Thesis research: Students following the thesis track complete CHEM 6999: Thesis Research, develop an original thesis project, present a 30-minute seminar based on their research and defend the thesis before a departmental committee.
Research course: CHEM 6395: Research allows master's students to investigate an approved research topic and produce a written report and seminar presentation.
Advanced instrumentation: Students have access to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry, chromatography, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis/NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical analysis equipment.
Mass spectrometry and chromatography: Research facilities include nano LC-MS, MALDI-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS, GC-FID, HPLC-MS, flash chromatography, and fast protein liquid chromatography, supporting analytical, biochemical and pharmaceutical research.
Materials research: Students can work with the Nanofabrication and Imaging Center, which includes confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, alongside single-crystal and powder X-ray diffractometry.
Chemical synthesis: Facilities include thin-film deposition and spin coating equipment, microwave synthesis systems, glove boxes for inert-atmosphere chemistry, Parr high-pressure reactors and continuous-flow reactors.
Biochemistry and chemical biology: Research facilities include biosafety cabinets for cell and tissue culture, PCR thermocyclers, CO₂ incubators, cryo-microtomes, gel/western-blot imaging systems, shaking incubators and superspeed centrifugation.
Cross-disciplinary research: GW Chemistry students can collaborate with researchers in areas including medicine, engineering, environmental science and energy, giving students opportunities to apply chemistry to biomedical, environmental and technological problems.
Washington, D.C. research ecosystem: The department identifies connections with organizations including the FDA, NASA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIH, Naval Research Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, EPA and USGS, providing a distinctive environment for scientific research and professional exposure.
Research presentations and publications: GW reports that chemistry students have presented research at conferences, published in national publications and contributed to patents, giving graduate researchers opportunities to communicate and disseminate their scientific work.
Science and Engineering Hall: The department's primary research environment includes state-of-the-art laboratories, lecture spaces and core facilities within GW's Science and Engineering Hall, with an open layout designed to encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MS in Chemistry at George Washington University prepares graduates for professional roles across research, government, healthcare, environmental science and industry. The program's thesis and non-thesis options allow students to develop advanced chemistry expertise while gaining exposure to research areas such as medicinal chemistry, proteomics, nanomaterials, renewable energy, spectroscopy and biomaterials. GW specifically identifies research universities, government and intelligence agencies, and companies as potential career destinations for graduates.

Career opportunities: Chemist, Research Scientist, Laboratory Scientist, Government Researcher.

Career development and graduate outcomes:

Career services: GW's Center for Career Services provides career coaching, résumé and cover-letter support, interview preparation, internship and job-search guidance, career fairs, employer information sessions, industry panels and company site visits. Graduate students can also use Handshake to access jobs, internships, employer events and career resources.
Professional networking: GW Career Connect connects graduate students with alumni, faculty and professionals across 14 industry areas, including Science & Engineering, Healthcare, Technology and Government, supporting mentoring, professional networking and industry guidance.
Chemistry-specific outcomes: GW's Chemistry Department reports recent graduate alumni working at Argonne National Laboratory, George Washington University, Park Systems, Stanford Health Care, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Employment statistics: GW's university-wide 2025 post-baccalaureate first-destination profile reported that 91.5% of respondents were employed, continuing education or engaged in other activities within six months; 59.5% were employed full- or part-time and 29.2% were enrolled or planning to enroll in continuing education. These figures cover GW's post-baccalaureate population overall and are not specific to the MS in Chemistry.
Salary figures: GW's 2025 university-wide post-baccalaureate profile reports that among full-time employment respondents, 32% reported salaries of $80,000 or more, 17% reported $70,000–$79,999, 13% reported $60,000–$69,999, 15% reported $50,000–$59,999, 11% reported $40,000–$49,999 and 13% reported less than $40,000. GW does not publish a chemistry-MS-specific salary figure on the program page.
Research and government connections: GW states that its Washington, D.C., location provides graduate chemistry students with access to partnerships involving laboratories, museums, funding agencies, think tanks and research laboratories. The department also highlights collaborations with GW's School of Medicine and Health Sciences and School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Industry and institutional exposure: The department's research environment covers areas directly connected with contemporary scientific and technological needs, including clean energy, environmental chemistry, chemical and nuclear threats, plant biochemistry, drug design, batteries and nanomaterials. GW also identifies graduate alumni working in federal research and health organizations, providing evidence of pathways into public-sector scientific careers.
Accreditation value: George Washington University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). GW states that accreditation involves ongoing institutional review against standards covering educational effectiveness, student learning, resources and governance; the university's accreditation was reaffirmed in 2018 and its next evaluation is scheduled for 2026–2027. A separate professional accreditation specifically for the MS in Chemistry is not stated by GW.
Graduation outcomes: The MS in Chemistry is structured around either a thesis or non-thesis pathway. The thesis option includes six credits of thesis research, while both pathways require a comprehensive examination covering analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, providing a foundation for professional chemistry careers or further academic study.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into a PhD in Chemistry, with GW offering doctoral research in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic/materials chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. The MS can also serve as preparation for medical school and other professional health programs, while the department's research environment can support students seeking advanced careers in academic, government or scientific research.