Frequently Asked Questions
Where should the application materials be sent?
You will complete the application through Cal State Apply
.
Your official transcript needs to be sent to the CSUF Office of Admissions
.
How many letters of reference are required?
Three letters of recommendation are required. Once you begin your application through the Cal State Apply
website you will be asked for the names and contact information for people that will submit letters of recommendation for you electronically.
How is the evaluation of applications conducted?
The University Admissions Office evaluates the application first. If it meets University standards, it will be forwarded to the Department at which time our admissions committee will evaluate the applicant's file and a decision is made. The Departmental evaluation process usually takes about 2-3 weeks. Note that our Department has a higher standard for admission than the University; we require a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 as well as a GPA of 2.75 or above in chemistry and biochemistry classes. The committee also takes into account the letters of recommendation, research experience, etc to make a recommendation of accepted without conditions, accepted with conditions, or rejected. We will be in touch with the applicant via email once the decision is made. At any time during this period if you have a question, feel free to contact the Graduate Advisor.
What GPA does the University Admission Office consider for admission into a graduate program at CSUF?
The University evaluates files by looking at the overall GPA (a GPA of 2.5 or better is required in order to meet University requirements). When you report your GPA, you need to report the overall GPA.
When your application arrives in our Department, we will look at your science classes as wel as your performance over time (sometimes students start off poorly but do better towards the end of their undergraduate studies so this is a more reliable way to look at student performance. In other cases, students take classes after obtaining their undergraduate degree and then those grades are taken into consideration as well). Your evaluation will take everything into account, however, note that our Department has a higher standard for admission than the University; we require a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 as well as science GPA of 2.75 or above in chemistry and biochemistry classes.
What if the student's GPA is lower than the minimum GPA required for admission by the University?
The University admissions office reviews applications first and they have a California State mandated requirement of a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. Applicants trying to enter a graduate program with a GPA lower than that will be rejected. Since this requirement is a State regulation, there is no way to admit students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement. The only way to get into the MS program at CSUF (or any other Cal State) would be to raise your GPA to at least 2.5. This can be done by taking classes at a community college or at a University. However, we would like to see those to be science courses in chemistry and/or biochemistry. Alternatively, you could repeat science courses that you took as an undergraduate and performed poorly to elevate your GPA. The Department's standards are higher than those of the University so at least a 2.75 GPA in your science courses would be required to get accepted.
What financial support is available to M.S. Chemistry Students?
Like most master's programs, the MS program at CSUF does not offer stipends like those of a PhD program. As listed below, there are opportunities to receive limited financial support. Note that students are allowed to work up to 20 hours/week in on-campus jobs. If a student has multiple on-campus jobs, the total amount of work cannot exceed 20 hours/week.
- Students can be hired by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as teaching assistants. Through this mechanism one could earn up to $22,000 per year. This does, however, take away a significant amount of time from your research activities and coursework. M.S. Chemistry students can apply for these TA positions but placement is not guaranteed.
- Students can be hired as Supplemental Instructors. These positions involve leading peer-led study sessions; no grading is required. The maximum compensation is $10,800 per year. M.S. Chemistry students can apply for these TA positions but placement is not guaranteed.
- Students can be hired as research assistants if the research advisor has funding.
- Our department has scholarships available to only M.S. Chemistry students. Please visit our scholasrhip page for more information.
Is there any Tuition Waiver available for graduate students?
If you are an out-of-state student, the Department will attempt to obtain a tuition waiver allowing you to pay in-state fees. There are a limited number of these available to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics so we cannot guarantee this. Please express your interest for the tuition waiver to the Graduate Advisor.
What undergraduate level chemistry courses are required for admission to the MS program in Chemistry?
M.S. Chemistry students have generally completed:
- General Chemistry plus lab (1 year)
- Organic Chemistry plus lab (1 year)
- Quantitative Analysis (Analytical Chemistry) plus lab (1 year)
- Physical Chemistry (1 year).
- Students in the biochemistry concentration typically have completed at least 1 semester of biochemistry.
Is the subject GRE required?
The GRE subject exam is not required.
How long does the MS Chemistry program take to complete?
As shown in the Graduate Program Handbook
the coursework for the M.S. Chemistry degree can be completed in 4 semesters (2 years). However, the M.S. Chemistry degree is a research-based degree. Completing the research and writing up the thesis can require additional time beyond 4 semesters. All M.S. Chemistry students are encouraged to work with their research advisor to develop a timeline for their thesis and to regularly discuss their progress in research.
Are there any scholarships available for this program?
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department is pleased to announce a limited number of scholarship funds for incoming Fall 2024 graduate students! In order to be most competitive for one of these awards, please submit your application by March 15, 2024. In addition, please make sure you submit your official transcripts to the Office of Admissions as we cannot officially make offers prior to the official transcripts being received and processed. The scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis until May 1, 2024.
We also have CSUF Chemistry and Biochemstry scholarships for continuing graduate students. Visit our Scholarship page for more information.
