While most applicants for the graduate program have an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, it is not necessarily a requirement. The field of chemical engineering is broad in its scope, so applicants who hold degrees in chemistry, physics, mathematics, materials science, or any engineering discipline are encouraged to apply. Students admitted to our program with such backgrounds are normally required to complete some undergraduate chemical engineering courses. The exact program is tailored to each applicant's previous training. However, because of this additional course load, students with undergraduate degrees in fields other than chemical engineering who are interested in terminal M.S. (i.e., not Ph.D.) degrees are generally not encouraged to apply.
ApplicationsThe following forms are required before an application to graduate school can be evaluated.
- Application Form - this contains a summary of the applicant's academic record, address, etc. This form may be submitted online or printed and mailed with the other materials.
- Transcripts - two official copies are required.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) - recent test scores (photocopies are acceptable).
- Letters of Recommendation - three (3) are required. There is no specific format required. The best letters of recommendation indicate that the letter's author has first hand experience with the candidate and provides specific examples of the applicant's scholastic capabilities. The least helpful letters describe the candidate in very general terms, as if the author was familiar with the candidate only from reading his/her resume, or describes the candidate in terms of their personality only, and not in terms of their scholastic capabilities.
- Statement of Purpose - a brief description of the applicants interest in Chemical Engineering and plans after receiving a graduate degree.
- Application Fee - $30 for US students, $55 for international. Credit card is preferred if applying online or money order or cashier's check payable to Kansas State University Graduate School if applying by mail. Unfortunately, the university does not permit us to waive this fee regardless of the circumstances.
Additionally, international students must submit:
- Affidavit of Financial Support - Part A must be completed. This form indicates that if the financial support of the Chemical Engineering Department is lost, the student is capable of self-financing to remain in school. Some applicants have misinterpreted this form to suggest that applicants must support themselves during graduate school, this is not the case. Once admitted into the program it is very rare for a student to lose financial support from the Chemical Engineering Department. This would only happen if the student were failing his/her courses, or were not performing the duties expected of them. This form is required by the graduate school but is not used in evaluating an applicant.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - recent test scores (photocopies are acceptable).
Send Applications to:
Kansas State University
Chemical Engineering Department
1005 Durland Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-5102
The application deadline for fall admission is February 1st. Applications for spring admissions must be received by August 1st. Under certain situations, applications received after these dates may still be considered. Contact ChE Professor Dr. James Edgar, Director of Graduate Studies at che@ksu.edu if for some reason you cannot meet the posted deadlines. Offers of admission and financial aid may be made in advance of these deadlines, if a completed application is on file.
Financial SupportFinancial assistance for living expenses is typically provided for students admitted into the graduate program in the form of a stipend. Graduate stipends for the 2007–2008 academic year were $24,500 per year. Stipends are paid semimonthly and are awarded as research assistantships or research fellowships. As part of their degree requirements, all graduate students serve as teaching assistants twice during their tenure. These duties involve assisting the faculty in the undergraduate or graduate instructional programs. The time commitment is normally four to eight hours per week.
Questions?If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact ChE Professor Dr. James Edgar, Director of Graduate Studies at che@ksu.edu.