Chemistry (Ph.D.)

Chemistry (Ph.D.) | Graduate

Howard's Ph.D. program in Chemistry prepares students for faculty appointments at research universities and for careers as leading chemistry researchers. Our graduates have landed faculty positions and postdoctoral fellowships at top universities and colleges across the U.S.

The Ph.D. in Chemistry at Howard’s Graduate School provides rigorous chemistry research training and real-world applications. Our graduates have landed positions in industry, working for companies such as Intel, SC Johnson, Bayer Material Science, Exxon Mobil, and Merck, and senior-level positions at federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Others are employed as faculty and postdoctoral fellows at universities and colleges such as Alabama A&M University, Bowie State University, Sacramento City College, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Our program welcomes applicants with various backgrounds, including environmental engineering, biomedical sciences, chemistry, mathematics, and atmospheric sciences, among other fields. As a doctoral student in our program, you’ll gain a solid foundation in research design and analytical instrumentation as well as practical training in chemical laboratory and computational techniques. You can pursue study in a chosen subdiscipline of chemistry, including analytical, atmospheric, biological, inorganic, organic, materials, medicinal, computational, physical, and polymer chemistry and nanochemistry. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with faculty in modern clinical laboratories.  Recent program research efforts have been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Cancer Institute, and the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Program Snapshot

      ❱  72 credit hours 
      ❱  Full-time
      ❱  On-campus format
      ❱  Degree: Ph.D.
      ❱  Dual degree: M.D./Ph.D.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Nov. 15, 2024 (final deadline)

Fall 2025 entry: 
      ❱  Dec. 1, 2024 (early deadline)
      ❱  Feb. 15, 2025 (priority deadline)
      ❱  Apr. 15, 2025 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

Transfer credits accepted (reviewed by committee)

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Application for Admission

• Online GradCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
• GRE scores required
• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent 
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Required?

• Yes

GRE Preferred Minimums

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Friend
• Family Member
• Coworker
• Clergy
• Other