Master's Degree (MS) in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Kentucky

Program Overview

The Master’s Degree (M.S.) in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky provides advanced training across analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical and radionuclear chemistry, with students able to choose either a research-focused thesis route (Plan A) or a coursework-focused non-thesis route (Plan B). It suits students seeking deeper expertise for careers in research, industry, education and related scientific fields, as well as students planning to continue toward doctoral study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish advanced knowledge across the major areas of chemistry through the department’s core and specialty coursework. Depending on their academic plan, subjects can include CHE 510: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, which examines atomic structure, bonding and reaction mechanisms, and CHE 524: Chemical Instrumentation, which covers electronics, computer interfacing and data analysis applied to chemical measurements. CHE 535: Synthetic Organic Chemistry provides further development in advanced organic synthesis.

Year 2: Students deepen their chosen area through advanced or specialty courses and, under Plan A, conduct original research culminating in a thesis defense; Plan B students complete an approved coursework program spanning four of the five designated chemistry areas and including at least six credits outside Chemistry relevant to their career goals. Available advanced subjects include CHE 516: Inorganic Materials Chemistry, covering solid-state materials and characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, CHE 525: Bioanalytical Sensors, covering sensing systems and microfabrication, and CHE 526: Chemical Separations, focused on advanced separation theory, instrumentation and analytical applications.

Focus areas: Analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, radionuclear chemistry, computational and theoretical chemistry, spectroscopy and spectrometry, nuclear chemistry, environmental chemistry, energy storage, organic electronics, and biological, inorganic and organic materials and processes.

Learning outcomes: Students develop advanced knowledge of chemical principles and specialized methods, build expertise through graduate coursework and, for Plan A students, conduct original research capable of supporting publication in refereed scientific journals; Plan B students develop a broad, career-oriented coursework portfolio across multiple chemistry areas.

Professional alignment: The University of Kentucky is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award master’s degrees; the university states that its accreditation was last reaffirmed in 2023 and is scheduled for reaffirmation in 2033. The Department specifically states that its B.S. Chemistry degrees are ACS-certified, but the official sources reviewed do not state separate ACS certification for the M.S. Chemistry degree.

Reputation: The University of Kentucky’s official “At a Glance” page records the Department of Chemistry at #94 in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Graduate Schools (2013); this is an older department-level ranking, so it should not be presented as a current ranking. The department currently highlights a research community of approximately 30 faculty, 100 graduate students and 15 postdoctoral researchers working across diverse chemistry research areas.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky combines advanced chemistry training with access to research-focused laboratories and university-wide analytical facilities. Students can develop practical skills through faculty-led research and work with specialized instrumentation in areas including analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and biological chemistry; the program specifically highlights opportunities to work alongside faculty on current research.

Research laboratories: Graduate chemistry research can make use of the University of Kentucky’s shared research infrastructure, including the UK Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility, Mass Spectrometry Core, X-Ray Crystallography Facility, Electron Microscopy and Materials Characterization Core, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center.
NMR instrumentation: The UK NMR Facility has five NMR instruments, with four available for general users and one dedicated to laboratory courses; the facility also provides data-processing stations and individual instruction for students learning to operate NMR spectrometers.
Mass spectrometry: The university’s Mass Spectrometry Core provides training and access to mass-spectrometry-based analysis, including protein identification, quantification, post-translational modification analysis, and small-molecule/metabolite profiling, together with consultation and data interpretation.
Analytical instrumentation: UK research facilities include advanced analytical equipment such as GC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, HPLC, capillary electrophoresis, ion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis and field-flow fractionation, providing opportunities for practical experience with modern chemical analysis.
Computational tools: Research groups within the chemistry department use computational and digital tools; for example, the Rather Research Group identifies MATLAB and LabVIEW familiarity as useful for its ultrafast laser spectroscopy and energy-conversion research.
Faculty research: Students can engage with faculty research across areas such as analytical, organic, inorganic, physical and biological chemistry, allowing practical work to be aligned with individual research interests and career goals.
Research training: The university’s shared core facilities provide specialized training, expert consultation and access to advanced instrumentation, supporting reproducible research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Internships and field trips: The official M.S. Chemistry sources reviewed do not specifically state a compulsory internship, field-trip component, or formal group-project requirement for this program, so these should not be presented as program requirements.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky develops advanced chemistry knowledge through graduate coursework and research, preparing students for professional roles in chemical and scientific settings or for further doctoral study. The program's research environment spans areas including analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical and computational chemistry, giving graduates opportunities to build expertise relevant to diverse scientific careers.

Typical job roles: Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Research Scientist, Quality Control Chemist.

Career services: UK Stuckert Career Center supports students with career coaching, resume and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career fairs, employer connections and access to Handshake for job and internship opportunities. Graduate students can also use UK Graduate School professional-development resources to strengthen career preparation.
Employment statistics and salary: The University of Kentucky's official sources do not publish a program-specific employment rate or median salary for M.S. Chemistry graduates; therefore, a chemistry-specific figure is not stated.
University–industry connections: The Department of Chemistry highlights research collaborations and externally funded research involving government agencies and industry, providing students with exposure to research environments beyond the classroom. UK also operates the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), which conducts applied research and works with industrial and governmental partners in areas including energy and advanced materials.
Professional value: The M.S. provides an advanced graduate qualification in chemistry that can support progression into scientific and laboratory careers. The official UK sources reviewed do not state a separate professional accreditation for the M.S. Chemistry degree, so no accreditation claim is made here.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can apply their advanced chemistry training to laboratory, research, analytical and industrial positions, while students interested in academic or research careers can use the master's as preparation for doctoral-level study. UK does not publish a specific M.S. Chemistry graduate-outcomes percentage on the official program page.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S. in Chemistry, students can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry or related doctoral research areas, including analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical and computational chemistry. The University of Kentucky Department of Chemistry offers doctoral-level study and research opportunities across these areas, allowing students to continue developing advanced research expertise.