how long does a chem phd take

PhD Program Overview

Main navigation, academic and departmental matters.

We have orientations and academic advising sessions for all new graduate students before you select your courses and start your first classes. Furthermore, you'll get ongoing support and advising from faculty and staff throughout your graduate career.

PhD Frequently Asked Questions

Where do i find information.

• Go to Stanford's Graduate Admissions site .
• Explore all the information available on our Chemical Engineering site, (including the faculty pages and and the multiple pages under the PhD and admissions tabs). If these resources do not address any remaining questions, please send an email to the department at [email protected] . Use your email subject line: Admissions - [family name] - [topic of your inquiry]

When may admitted PhD applicants visit Stanford?

March 2-5 2023, is the Chemical Engineering Virtual Visit Weekend. If you are seriously considering Stanford's Chemical Engineering's PhD program for your doctoral work, please reserve these dates for your virtual Stanford visit, as we will be unable to accommodate a request to visit at another time.

How long does it take to get the PhD degree?

The average time to earn a PhD degree is between 5 and 6 years. Some students finish a little earlier and some a bit later.

If I have a master's degree from another university, do I need to get a MS from Stanford before pursuing a PhD?

No. In Chemical Engineering, having an MS degree is not a requirement for conferral of a PhD degree. PhD students without a master's may petition for conferral of a Stanford master's in the course of fulfilling their PhD requirements. Matriculated PhD students with a MS earned elsewhere either may petition for conferral of a Stanford MS or may petition for approval of transfer units, to be applied toward the total unit requirements for a PhD degree. Any student contemplating petitioning for approval of transfer units should consult first with departmental student services.

How many faculty members do you have and how long have they been teaching?

See the faculty pages. Our faculty is well-distributed in terms of experience and areas of emphasis.

What are the course requirements, and how long do they generally take to complete?

PhD students take 10 units per quarter.

PhD students take three 3-unit courses and one 1-unit colloquium (seminar) per quarter in the first two quarters and the majority of their lecture courses during the first two academic years. Then they finish the coursework requirements by taking a class here and there until they have a total of 42 units for lecture courses in science and engineering, plus 3 units of colloquia (seminar). Because of the importance faculty place on honing communication skills while pursuing a doctorate, all candidates are also required to assist in the teaching of two chemical engineering courses.

What are PhD research rotations?

Each first-year PhD student rotates with two different faculty research groups before choosing an advisor and lab in which to develop his or her own research projects. The rotations enable students to gain a better understanding of a given faculty member’s research program and to determine if that lab is a good fit for their future research. Furthermore, during the first six months, there are multiple opportunities to talk with a wide range of faculty members about their research.

How do PhD qualifying examinations work? What is the usual pass rate?

To be admitted to PhD candidacy, students must pass a qualifying examination, taken at the end of the summer quarter of the first year, respectively. The PhD Qualifying Examination has three parts: 

• A one-page written summary of their research project
• A 20-minute presentation about the research project before research advisors and other faculty examiners
• A 20-minute question-and-answer session with faculty

This exam focuses on the student’s progress report on original research performed during the previous half-year, e.g. from April until the time of the exam in late September. A progress report may have no conclusions, but the talk should demonstrate a depth of thinking about the research strategy and the fundamental chemical, physical and biological concepts that govern the molecular behavior of the system being studied.  The focus is on the ability to think critically and to communicate understanding the fundamental concepts, techniques and questions within the field. The faculty are looking for the student's understanding of how one's research relates to the field as a whole and how he or she demonstrates an understanding of where the project will lead.

Most years, all rising second-year PhD students pass their PhD candidacy examination. The format of this examination is designed to test for the essential skills of the successful researcher — the abilities involved in approaching new problems from a perspective grounded in scientific fundamentals. The focus is not on having the right answers, but in formulating approaches rooted in the scientific method. The faculty do their utmost to select applicants who will thrive as doctoral researchers, with the objective that the selection process should take place at the time of admission. The faculty, other students and staff are all motivated by the ultimate success of each year’s PhD students with their examinations. This culture fosters a uniquely positive environment of collaboration and teamwork among all students, rather than competition based on a "survival of the fittest" mentality.

How does PhD advisor selection work?

All during the first two quarters, first-year PhD students have many ways to become familiar with individual faculty, their research projects, students in their research groups, and how a research group functions. Toward the end of the second quarter each student-faculty dyad formalize their advisee-advisor relationship and then PhD students join their advisors’ research groups at the beginning of spring quarter, and start on their own projects.

Can I work with faculty outside of the department?

Yes. Some past examples have been with faculty in physics, chemistry, materials sciences, mechanical engineering, environmental microbiology, bioengineering and biochemistry.  These students also have a Chemical Engineering faculty co-advisor who helps ensure good degree progress and sits on the reading committee formed in the second year.

What sort of job opportunities does a PhD degree in chemical engineering from Stanford usually enable?

Graduates of our department are extremely versatile with regards to their post-doctorate careers. Over the last few years, many of the graduates from various research groups have chosen to spend a couple of years as a post-doc in another research lab (usually not at Stanford) either in preparation for a research/academic job or in profiting from further research experience before entering industry. Stanford grads are now current professors at many top universities (MIT, Harvard, etc.) or members of prestigious research centers (IBM, national labs, etc.). A significant number of students decide to enter industrial positions upon graduation, as engineers, consultants, etc. You will find companies from all sectors actively recruiting Stanford chemical engineers, including companies in the local biotech and nanotechnology industries.

What kinds of jobs do PhDs get and where?

There is a saying that a chemical engineer can do anything, and the range of employment and career options available to our students demonstrates this. Approximately two-thirds of our PhD students find challenging jobs in fundamental or applied research either in industry or national laboratories. Further generalization is not possible — graduates find careers in areas as diverse as the information technology companies, biotechnology, the oil industry, the chemical process industry, renewable resources and private consulting. (Approximately one-third go into teaching and research as a profession).

Student Life

Housing and living.

Stanford has a strong residential character. Over half of all graduate students live in university-operated apartments. The university’s residence system is among the largest and most diverse.

How does on-campus housing work?

There is a lottery and when you enter it, you list your choice of housing options in preferential order. Housing is guaranteed for first-year graduate students, but this means that you must apply on time and select the option that you are willing to accept any living arrangement (studio, two people in a two-bedroom, three people in a two-bedroom, etc.). If you submit your choices by the deadline, usually you obtain your top housing choices.

Students can renew the same housing assignment for the following year without entering a lottery. Thus, if you are happy with whatever assignment you get in the fall of your first year (and you live in a residence that is open year-round), in the spring of your first year you now can just check "renew" on your housing application for the next year and keep your assignment for the following year.

Pets are not allowed in campus housing.

How much does on-campus housing cost per month?

The cost of housing varies. The general rule of thumb is that the more room/suite-mates you have, the lower the rent. If you would like to have a room to yourself (double-occupancy two-bedroom, etc.) then you should expect to pay more. If you do not mind sharing a room, then the cost drops some. 

What is included in on-campus housing costs?

In addition to the rent, the cost of housing covers basic utilities (electricity and water). Laundry is free to students living on campus. Also, most on-campus apartments are furnished so you don't have to worry about the cost of furniture. Additional charges will apply for an internet connection, cable TV, etc. (These facilities are easily available and are relatively inexpensive). If you have a car, you will need to purchase a campus parking permit, but they are inexpensive for students.

What are the off-campus housing options?

A popular way to find off-campus housing is to use Craigslist . You can perform specific searches of price ranges or towns or places that accept pets. The places listed include condos, homes for rent, individual cottages, or apartments. If you do a search on Craigslist, go to "apts/housing" and then click on "Peninsula" at the top of the screen (S.F. Bay Area prompt). Depending upon the specific location, the following towns are within bikeable distance from Stanford: Menlo Park, Atherton and Palo Alto. Redwood City, Los Altos and Mountain View are a minimum of a ~30 min bike ride.

How much do off-campus apartments costs per month?

Depending upon how many roommates you have, monthly rent can range from $900-$1,700/per person.

How can I find a roommate?

Most incoming students do not know people at Stanford and so do not choose their roommates. However, if you do find/choose someone you would like to room with in university housing, then you can request that Housing Assignments Office assign both of you to the same housing location. There is also a roommate-finding website.

What about housing for couples or families?

There are several options for on-campus couples housing-furnished or unfurnished. Please see the Housing Options page for information about housing for couples without children and students with children.

What's the bottom line? Is it comfortable to live on the graduate stipend?

Yes. People can live comfortably and still afford to travel both nationally and internationally. Several students have hobbies such as skiing or cycling that they can afford on the graduate student stipend/salary. (English PhD students get by on ~10K less!)

Activities in the local and surrounding areas

How do i get involved in departmental social events.

All ChemE grad students are welcome to participate on the social subcommittees of the graduate student-run ACTION Committee, as well as staff-student planned events such as the annual Holiday Party in December.

What do people do for fun?

The  Office of Student Engagement supports over 600 university-recognized, incredibly diverse student groups on campus.

There are various gyms on campus, along with many intramural sports and club sports. There are also athletic classes you can take for credit (kickboxing, Pilates, boot camp, yoga, etc) or simply for fun at the residence complexes. Other than sports, there are a plethora of cultural events in the arts, dance, music and other live performances on and off campus. San Jose is ~20 minutes away while San Francisco is ~45 minutes away by car. Both are also accessible by public transportation. If you prefer outdoor activities, hiking trails and extensive bicycle routes are minutes away and a few hours of driving can take you to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, the northern California Redwoods, etc. while Santa Cruz and Monterrey are closer attractions.

What are the common attractions in the area surrounding the San Francisco Bay?

San Francisco has abundant theaters and cultural events, SFMOMA, Civic Center, Asian Museum, China Town, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park (de Young Museum) and Golden Gate Bridge. Further north, you can visit Muir Woods redwood park, various marinas, Point Reyes National Seashore, etc., while further south you can visit Monterey Bay Aquarium, stroll beaches along the Pacific Ocean, go rock climbing and tour wineries in the Santa Cruz mountains.

How is the transportation system? How do you get around?

There are on-campus shuttles that also access the local train stations, local bus lines, CalTrain, BART and Muni. Many students have cars. Many do not. The majority of students also have bikes to get around on campus.

Are there intramural sports and sports clubs?

Yes to both. Intramural sports range from volleyball to soccer to billiards, and club sports range from triathlon to sailing to martial arts. This department fields several teams.

How are the gym facilities?

The Arrillaga Family Sports and Recreation Center is the primary gym for students. The facility is on Campus Drive right across from the track. At Arrillaga, you'll find squash courts, a climbing wall, basketball courts and a weight room with cardio-machines (ellipticals, treadmills, stationary bikes, etc.). Students also can take classes for physical activities such as martial arts (Arrillaga has a training room), fencing, yoga, etc.

Also, the recently opened Arrillaga Outdoor Education and Recreation Center (AOERC) is the newest recreational facility on campus. It's on Santa Teresa Street right next to Roble Field. AOERC features a fitness center, outdoor recreational pool, three indoor courts, academic classrooms, a climbing wall and an outdoor recreation center.

Stanford also has a great outdoor pool center and has several tennis courts spread across campus. It is not unusual for Stanford to host national track-and-field or ATP tour events, so you shouldn't be surprised to see some big names in sports strolling about on campus.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Chemistry?

How Long Does a PhD in Physics Take?

The career choices a grad student with a chemistry degree can pursue are as diverse as the subject itself. From healthcare to research scientist, a Ph.D. in chemistry swings open doors in dynamic industries around the globe.

A master’s degree can allow a student to explore a wider range of career opportunities than a bachelor’s degree can. However, a Ph.D. in chemistry can propel a grad student into more lucrative and challenging careers .

Benefits of a Ph.D. in Chemistry

A professor in the United States can’t teach college-level courses unless they have completed 18 graduate hours in their field of study. A doctoral degree in chemistry can allow a grad student to begin teaching at the university level immediately after graduation.

Students who have completed the Ph.D. program in chemistry are considered experts in their field. They gain the respect of their peers through their years of hard work as well as a salary to match.

Chemists with a Ph.D. carry credibility along with the letters behind their name. This makes it easier to create and find funding for a start-up company or open their own pharmacy or other related business.

Careers in Chemistry

It is a wide field that has positions in many industries across the world. Chemists with a Ph.D. can enter a number of fields based on the interests they studied during their Ph.D. program.

Careers in chemistry include:

• Forensic Scientists
• Nanotechnologist
• Pharmacologist
• Research Scientist
• Chemical Engineer
• Analytical Chemist
• Healthcare Scientist
• Biotechnologist

What Does a Chemistry Ph.D. Grad Earn?

After completing all those years of schooling, a chemistry grad can earn in the low six figures if they have a Ph.D. Compare that to around $80,000 for master’s degree holders and 12 percent less than that for those who have completed a Bachelor of Science degree.

Years of Schooling for Ph.D. in Chemistry

Each school will more than likely have different requirements for a Ph.D. in chemistry. A chemist's education requirements include years of independent study, research and project-based learning.

A Ph.D. program’s coursework typically takes about two years to complete with a fixed amount of credits needed in basic courses. These rudimentary courses can include organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, advanced math subjects and physics , depending on the focus of the student’s degree.

The degree can usually be completed within five to six years. The time frame for completion is based on the student’s area of study and research expectations. Lab work, experiments and research into untested theories can lengthen the amount of time that a student spends working toward completing their doctorate in chemistry.

Dissertation in Chemistry

A chemistry student will spend much of their Ph.D. program time completing a dissertation . This complex work is required to obtain the doctoral degree. It typically concentrates on practice or theory or any new knowledge that the student may have learned during their time in the extensive program.

A dissertation is made up of:

• Introduction 
• Abstract model of what the student is attempting to prove.
• Validation of the model and proof of theorems
• Measurements and significant data
• Additional results that have been collected that point to the central thesis
• Conclusions and future work, limitations or special cases that a student foresees

Top Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry

If you decide to pursue a lucrative chemistry-related career, then graduating from a top-rated chemistry graduate program will propel your future career endeavors. A quality chemistry Ph.D. program allows students to have access to the latest in research, technology and scientists.

The following schools have consistently rated in the top 10 for their advanced chemistry doctoral programs:

• California Institute of Technology
• Harvard University
• University of California – Berkeley
• The Scripps Research Institute
• University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
• Stanford University 
• Northwestern University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry

By Joel Shulman

How does your chemistry Ph.D. program compare to others in terms of department size and student demographics? Requirements for the degree? Graduate student progression and support? Developing skills that go beyond knowledge of chemistry? Answers to these questions and many others can be gleaned from the Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry recently reported by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) . Highlights of the survey are given here.

View the full report

The primary objective of the CPT is to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the quality of chemical education at the postsecondary level. Not only does the Committee develop and administer the guidelines that define high-quality undergraduate education, but it also produces resources such as the ACS Directory of Graduate Education and publishes data on undergraduate and graduate education. Approximately every ten years, CPT fields a survey of Ph.D. programs. The latest survey solicited data from all 196 Ph.D. programs in chemistry and received usable information (base year, 2007) from 139 of these programs.

Figure 1. Size Distribution of Ph.D. Programs

Program size and demographics of students

The 139 reporting Ph.D. programs are divided for purposes of comparison into three groups of approximately equal size according to the total number of graduate students in the program: 44 small (defined as 0 to 40 total graduate students), 46 medium (41 to 105 graduate students), and 49 large programs (106+ graduate students). The number of students in Ph.D. programs ranges from 0 to 394 (see Figure 1) with a total of 13,280 students. Eighteen departments have more than 200 students, accounting for more than one-third (4,460) of the total graduate students in chemistry. The 30 largest programs account for almost 50% of graduate students. The average program size is 96 students (and 23 faculty), while the median program size is 67 students.

Of the doctoral students in responding programs, 27.4% are women, 5.2% are underrepresented minorities, and 42.3% are international students (Table 1). Small programs tend to have a higher percentage of underrepresented minority students (averaging 7.8%), while large programs have a higher percentage of women (28.5%) and a lower percentage of international students (37.3%).

Table 1. Demographics of Graduate Students by Program Size

Requirements for degree (Table 2)

Of course, a doctoral dissertation is required by all Ph.D. programs. Most (71%) graduate programs require entering graduate students to take placement exams, although this requirement tends to be less prevalent as program size increases. The average program requires a minimum of 20 credits (semester hours, corrected for programs on the quarter system) of coursework, a number that does not vary significantly by program size. In addition to course work and dissertation, 96% of programs require at least one of the following: cumulative examinations (58%), an oral preliminary exam (54%), a comprehensive oral exam (50%), and/or a comprehensive written exam (31%). All four of these exams are required by 7% of programs; 17% of programs require three; 43% of programs require two; and 28% require only one. Large programs require cumulative exams less often and oral exams more often than small or medium programs. Only four programs (3%) require students to pass a language exam for the Ph.D.

Table 2. Requirement in Ph.D. Program

Graduate Student Progression and Support (Table 3)

The mean time to the Ph.D. is 5.1 years, a number that varies neither by program size nor by public vs. private institution (data not shown). Most programs place a limit on the amount of time allowed to achieve a Ph.D. (average of 7.8 years) as well as on the number of years of departmental support allowed a student (average of 5.9 years). More than 80% of students choose a research advisor within six months of entering graduate school. A significant number of programs either require or permit laboratory rotations before a final advisor is selected.

Monetary support for Ph.D. students comes from teaching assistantships more often than from research assistantships at small and medium programs, while the reverse is true in large programs. There is wide variation in TA stipends, depending on both program size and geographic location. Most programs have a range of stipends, which on average run from $18,000 to about $20,000 per year. Teaching assistants at larger programs are more likely to teach discussion (recitation) sections than those in small or medium programs.

Table 3. Student Progression and Support in Ph.D. Programs

Developing Student Skills

In addition to chemistry knowledge and laboratory skills, it is important that all Ph.D. chemists develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and teamwork. Toward this end, 74% of all programs require students to create and defend an original research proposal (Table 2). All but six programs require students to make presentations (exclusive of the thesis defense) to audiences other than their research group; the average number of required presentations is 2.4, with little variation by program size. When asked whether any graduate students receive student-skills training outside of formal course work, 67% responded that at least some students receive specific training in communications; 59% in ethics/scientific integrity; 43% in grant writing; 37% in mentoring; 37% in intellectual property/patents; and 18% in business/economics. Students in large programs are more likely to receive some training in these skill areas than are students in other programs.

The data from this CPT survey provide a snapshot of graduate student demographics, requirements for the degree, and progression and support in chemistry Ph.D. programs. Survey results highlight similarities and differences among small, medium, and large programs across the country.

Dr. Joel I. Shulman retired as The Procter & Gamble Company's Manager of Doctoral Recruiting and University Relations in 2001 and is now an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He serves the ACS as a consultant for the Office of Graduate Education and the Department of Career Management and Development and as a member of the Committee on Professional Training.

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About the Chemistry Ph.D. Program

Ph.d. in chemistry faq's.

The Chemistry PhD program is designed towards developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. Accordingly, the single most important facet of the curriculum for an individual is their own research project. In keeping with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of scholarly, independent study, formal course requirements are minimal and vary among disciplines; advisor's tailor course requirements to best prepare the student for the chosen research field.

The Doctoral program includes the following concentrations, each of which has specific degree requirements:

• Physical Chemistry : In general, the Physical Chemistry Graduate Program encompasses analytical, nuclear, biophysical, and theoretical chemistry.
• Synthetic Chemistry : The Synthetic Chemistry Graduate Program includes emphases in either organic or inorganic chemistry
• Chemical Biology : The Chemical Biology Graduate Program covers a range of research areas at the interface of Chemistry and Biology.

Research. A graduate student spends a good deal of time during the first week of the first semester at Berkeley talking to various faculty members about possible research projects, studying pertinent literature references, and choosing an individual project. New graduate students meet shortly after their arrival with a faculty adviser. From the faculty adviser the student obtains a list of faculty members whose research may interest the student. After visiting these and additional faculty, if necessary, the student chooses a research director, with the consent of the faculty member and the graduate adviser. By the end of the first semester most students have made a choice and are full-fledged members of research group. Students in the Chemical Biology Graduate Program will select their thesis advisor after completion of three-ten week rotations. Thereafter, all students become involved in library research on their projects and many begin actual experimental or theoretical work.

Independent Study. A student who chooses to specialize in physical chemistry is normally expected to take two courses per semester during the first year and one or two additional semesters of coursework sometimes during the second year. These may include topics such Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Group Theory, Interactions of Radiation with Matter, and many more. At the other extreme, a student specializing in inorganic chemistry will concentrate more heavily on special topics seminars and take fewer courses. The course offerings in the University are varied so that individual students have the opportunity to take other courses which serve their own needs. Such as, a student working on nuclear chemistry will probably elect additional graduate physics courses, while a student working on biophysical or bio-organic problems may take courses offered by the Biochemistry Department. Students in the Chemical Biology program will take courses from both Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology departments.

Seminars. Because of the size and diversity of the Berkeley faculty, there are many seminars on a variety of topics which students may choose to attend. There are regular weekly seminars in several major areas, including biophysical, physical, nuclear, organic, theoretical, solid state, and inorganic chemistry. These seminars are presented by members of the Berkeley faculty, as well as distinguished visitors to the campus. These seminars allow the students to become aware of the most important current research going on in the field. In addition to these regular seminars, there are several regular department seminars devoted to presentations by graduate students. One of the doctoral program requirements is that each student delivers a departmental seminar known as a graduate research conference during the second year. Individual research groups also hold regular research seminars. The format of these small, informal seminars varies. In some cases, graduate students discuss their own current research before the other members of the research group. On other occasions, the group seminars may be devoted to group discussions of recent papers which are of interest to the particular research group. In any event, small group seminars are one of the most important ways in which students learn by organizing and interpreting their own results before their peers.

Qualifying Exam. Sometime during the second year of graduate work at Berkeley, each student takes a qualifying examination. The examining board, a committee of four faculty members, is appointed to examine the student for general competence in the area of interest. The qualifying examination is centered around the defense of the individual research project. Upon satisfactory completion of the oral qualifying examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. After advancement, the student completes an original, scholarly contribution to science and writes a dissertation on the subject. Most students complete their work and received their degree within five years.

Teaching. An integral part of the graduate education at Berkeley is teaching. The department requires that each doctoral candidate assist in the instructional program of the department as a teaching assistant for two semesters during their graduate careers. The faculty regard the teaching experience as highly valuable for all graduate students, especially those who plan to teach as a career.

Financial Aid. All students admitted to our graduate program receive a stipend for the duration of study in the form of teaching and research assistantships as long as they are in residence and demonstrate good progress toward the degree. Students also receive full tution, health, dental and vision insurance. Most funds for this support derive from research contracts and grants.

For more information see the Berkeley Bulletin

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10 Top PhD Programs in Chemistry in 2024

A PhD program in Chemistry can equip you with a range of professional skills and advanced knowledge in the field. With a doctorate in chemistry on your resume, you’ll be able to find prestigious jobs in research labs, industry, academia, or government.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of chemists and material scientists is $79,760 , and jobs are estimated to grow by 6%  over the next decade, in line with growth prospects for all professions.

Which of the best PhD programs in Chemistry is right for you?

Read on to learn about the best programs, including essential information like tuition, acceptance rates, and whether you can get a degree online or not.

Table of Contents

Top PhD Programs in Chemistry

1. massachusetts institute of technology.

PhD in Chemistry

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been ranked first in the nation  for Chemistry, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the best PhD in Chemistry programs. The program is flexible because students can choose courses based on their long-term research goals.

• Courses include: Principles of inorganic chemistry, crystal structure refinement, and heterocyclic chemistry.
• Credits: 48
• Duration: 4 years +
• Tuition:  Full funding
• Financial aid: Fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.
• Delivery: On-campus
• Acceptance rate: 7.3%
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

2. Stanford University, School of Humanities and Sciences

Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research institutions with innovative and flexible programs. This chemistry PhD program is world-class with a cross-disciplinary approach, collaborating with various other departments and institutes.

• Courses include: Advanced inorganic chemistry, organic polyfunctional compounds, and chemical principles.
• Duration: 5 years
• Tuition: Refer tuition page
• Financial aid: Research assistantship, teaching assistantship, fellowships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5.2%
• Location: Stanford, California

3. California Institute of Technology, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Caltech’s Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is renowned for its large number of faculty members conducting leading research in chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. This chemistry doctoral program aims to develop students’ creative and original research abilities.

• Courses include: Bioinorganic chemistry, organic reaction mechanisms, and advanced quantum chemistry.
• Duration: 5.5 years average
• Tuition : $56,364
• Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, work-study, fellowships, assistantships, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 6.7%
• Location: Pasadena, California

4. Harvard University, The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Harvard University’s faculty in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology division includes several Nobel and Welch Award laureates conducting research in various areas of interest in chemistry. In this PhD program for chemistry, students can pursue interdisciplinary research in various institutes and research centers in the Boston area.

• Courses include: Advanced organic chemistry, materials chemistry, and advanced inorganic chemistry.
• Duration: 5-6 years
• Tuition: Full funding
• Financial aid: Scholarships, research assistantships, and fellowships.
• Acceptance rate: 5%

5. Northwestern University, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking that is adaptive, flexible, and practical in the context of the modern world. This chemistry PhD program aims to provide students with a strong foundation in chemistry and valuable exposure to research projects important to wider society.

• Courses include: Organic chemistry, physical/analytical chemistry, and biological chemistry.
• Financial aid: Fellowships, graduate assistantships, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 9.3%
• Location: Evanston, Illinois

6. Yale University, Department of Chemistry

Yale is one of the most acclaimed universities in the world, with a diverse student population, including 22%  international students from a total of 115 different nations . This flexible PhD chemistry program allows students to choose their areas of study based on their research subjects rather than maintaining a rigid course list.

• Courses include: Fundamentals of transition metal chemistry, bioinorganic spectroscopy, and organic structures & energetics.
• Financial aid: Stipends, fellowships, and grants.
• Acceptance rate: 6.5%
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut

7. The University of Chicago, Department of Chemistry

The chemistry department was one of the University of Chicago’s first departments to be inaugurated and currently has a strong faculty in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as interdisciplinary studies. This is also one of the most flexible Chemistry PhD programs in the country, allowing you to study from different departments as well as giving you the freedom to choose your areas of study.

• Courses include: Complex chemical systems, chemical biology, and chemical dynamics.
• Tuition : $63,936
• Financial aid: Fellowships, research assistantships, health insurance, grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

8. Princeton University, Department of Chemistry

Princeton University’s prestigious Frick Chemistry Laboratory encourages faculty and students to conduct collaborative and interdisciplinary research in the field. This doctorate degree in chemistry encourages students to pursue individualized studies and conduct original research in specific areas of chemistry.

• Courses include: Advanced quantum chemistry, biophysical chemistry, and synthetic organic chemistry.
• Tuition : $57,410
• Financial aid: Assistantships, fellowships, work-study, veteran benefits, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5.6%
• Location: Princeton, New Jersey

9. The University of California, Berkeley, College of Chemistry

The University of California was founded with a vision for a better future and is well-known as a pioneer in various areas, including diversity and free speech. This graduate program offers three concentrations: physical chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and chemical biology.

• Courses include: Chemical kinetics, coordination chemistry, and organic reactions.
• Tuition : $14,476
• Financial aid: Fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, grants, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 17.5%
• Location: Berkeley, California

10. Cornell University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Cornell’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has a history of discovery and innovation and boasts Nobel laureates as well as National Academy Members among its faculty. The TATP (Teaching Assistant Training Program) is an integral part of this PhD program, and a satisfactory performance in this program is a mandatory part of the doctorate.

• Courses include: Engineering general chemistry, principles of organic chemistry, and physical chemistry of proteins.
• Financial aid: Teaching assistantship, research assistantship, fellowships, grants, stipend, and health insurance.
• Acceptance rate: 10.7%
• Location: Ithaca, New York

What Do You Need To Get a PhD in Chemistry?

To be admitted as a PhD candidate , you’ll generally need a master’s in chemistry or a related field. As part of the application process, you’ll typically need to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a personal statement or research proposal.

Other documentation may be required depending on the program you want to apply for, so check the requirements with the admissions office.

Most PhD in chemistry programs involve a mix of coursework, which may cover chemistry courses and related sciences, and a research thesis or dissertation.

To earn your doctorate in chemistry, you typically also need to participate in seminars, pass oral and written exams, and complete a teaching assistantship.

Preparing for a Chemistry Doctorate Program

A PhD in chemistry is a technical, relatively-difficult advanced degree, so it’s important to prepare well to get the best results. Ahead of commencing, or even applying for the program, familiarize yourself with the latest developments and research in the field.

It can be a good idea to join professional associations, take advantage of other networking opportunities, and seek out extra-curricular activities in the field. Practical experience can also be very valuable, so try to work in a lab if possible.

Things To Consider When Choosing a Chemistry PhD Program

There are a range of chemistry doctorate programs offered by different institutions and covering several different concentrations. Before choosing the right program for you, it’s important to carefully consider your interests, passions, and career goals in order to decide on your preferred area of study.

From there, look for strong programs in this discipline with renowned faculty specializing in your area of interest.

Other key factors to consider include the following:

• Mode of delivery: on-campus, online, or hybrid
• School location, accessibility, and affordability to live in the area if you’re planning on studying on campus
• Program costs, including not only tuition but also fees and other expenses
• Financial aid options

Why Get a Doctorate in Chemistry?

A PhD in chemistry is one of the most in-demand and highest-paying PhDs . Graduates with a PhD chemistry are highly employable, with most finding roles in private industry. According to Duke University , from their 242 candidates, 118 were employed in business/industry, and Boston University  also tells us that most PhD Chemistry holders are employed in the private sector.

The benefits of studying for a doctorate in chemistry include:

• High level of prestige
• Many chemistry PhD programs are fully-funded or offer access significant to financial aid
• Wide range of job prospects in academia, research, and management
• Access to senior leadership positions and opportunities to manage research projects

Jobs you can land with a PhD in Chemistry include:

• Post-doctoral Research Assistant ( $52,672 )
• Chemical Materials Scientist ( $130,008 )
• Professor of Chemistry ( $94,914 )
• Development Chemist ( $59,802 )
• Director of Research ( $107,150 )

The tuition for a PhD in chemistry can range from $10,000 to $70,000 based on various factors, with public schools being much more affordable than private schools. On top of tuition, you also need to consider other expenses, such as fees, study materials, and living expenses. However, many chemistry doctorates offer scholarships, grants, and even full funding.

For most programs, you’ll take around five years to complete a chemistry PhD when studying full-time. However, it can take up to seven years or even longer in some cases.

What Skills Do You Gain When Doing a Ph.D. in Chemistry?

You’ll build a range of advanced skills as part of a PhD in Chemistry program, most notably:

• Research skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Mentoring and teaching skills
• Leadership skills
• Organizational skills

PhD in Chemistry FAQs

How long does a phd in chemistry take.

A PhD in Chemistry takes five years to complete on average, though the duration can typically be anywhere between three and seven years.

Which Field of Chemistry Is Best for a PhD?

There is no single field that is best for a PhD in Chemistry. The best option for you will depend on your preferences, interests, and career ambitions. Common specializations include organic,         inorganic, physical, analytical, and computational chemistry.

What Can You Do With a PhD in Chemistry?

A PhD in chemistry is typically considered the most advanced degree in this scientific field and opens up a range of positions in academia, research, and the private sector. Positions for graduates with PhD doctorates include lecturers, professors, research leaders, environmental scientists, and materials scientists.

Is It Hard To Get a PhD in Chemistry?

Given that chemistry is a highly technical field and a PhD is an advanced degree, it’s not surprising that a PhD in chemistry is an in-depth, involved, and relatively-challenging degree. There’s no denying that you’ll need a background in the field and a certain degree of dedication to earn your doctorate in chemistry, but it’s certainly not impossible with some hard work and a little passion!

Key Takeaways

A PhD in chemistry is a valuable, advanced degree that opens up a wide range of career prospects, including senior-level positions in research, industry, and academia. There are a number of high-quality PhD programs in chemistry offered by renowned institutions across the country, covering a range of disciplines and including both on-campus and online programs .

Be clear on your areas of interest and career objectives, do your research to choose the best program for you, and you can’t go wrong!

For more options, look at our guide to the best online PhD programs , or if you’re ready to start preparing your application, check out our ultimate grad school test guide .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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PhD Program Requirements

The Chemistry Department offers a flexible program that allows students to select courses tailored to their individual background and research interests. Students also teach for two semesters.

As part of the requirement for a PhD degree, MIT requires a General Examination, with both an oral and written part. The Oral Examination for the PhD in Chemistry must be passed by the end of the fourth semester of graduate study. No other general written examinations are required. In particular, no qualifying (or entrance) examinations are given.

A final oral presentation of doctoral research is scheduled after the thesis has been submitted and evaluated by a committee of faculty.

Program Requirements

Coursework and teaching.

All chemistry graduate students are required to register for the appropriate chemistry seminar subject (5.913, 5.921, 5.931, or 5.941 depending on research area) each term. This registration carries with it the expectation of seminar attendance whenever possible. These seminars provide an important component to your graduate education and professional development

All students are required to teach for two semesters in their first year. During those semesters, students are required to enroll in a class to support their teaching (5.91 Teaching Experience in the Chemical Sciences).  

2nd Year Oral & Written Exams

MIT requires that all Ph.D. candidates pass general oral and written examinations in their field of study. For chemistry students, these exams occur in the spring of the second year. The faculty committee will (i) assess whether the student has progressed sufficiently to be on-track for obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry and (ii) provide constructive feedback to help the student reach their full potential during the period of study at MIT. Thus, the overarching purpose of the examination includes fulfilling Institutional requirements for Ph.D. students and evaluating:

1. Progress towards the PhD degree (coursework, research) indicating that the student is on track to receive a doctoral degree in Chemistry 2. General knowledge and understanding in the broad field of study and specific sub-area 3. Critical thinking, including the ability to use core principles to think through unfamiliar topics 4. Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms, think logically and independently, and defend a point of view 5. Ability to formulate upcoming research plans and present a feasible timeline for progress towards completion of research goals 6. Overall scholarship

Thesis Committees

As the first step, second-year students meet with their research advisors to discuss which faculty might be appropriate as members of their Thesis Committee.  Thesis Committees must be composed of at least two other MIT faculty besides your advisor. Your Thesis Committee chair must be from the department of chemistry and in your area of chemistry (chemical biology, inorganic, organic, or physical). Please see the notes below if you are working in a research group outside the department and/or are co-advised. You are required to propose at least four faculty members as candidates for your committee in addition to your advisor, though you may propose up to six faculty members.  Students should fill out the online Thesis Committee Nomination Form by Friday, September 15, 2023 . Submitted forms are then reviewed by the Graduate Officer and a faculty advisory group who assign final Thesis Committees.  They will also choose one of these faculty members to be your Thesis Committee Chair.  This process is necessary to avoid the past problem of some faculty being assigned to an inordinately large number of committees. If you are listing any faculty outside the department, please contact them before submitting your form to confirm that they are willing to serve on your Thesis Committee and attend all relevant examinations and meetings. You do not need to reach out to any faculty within the department about serving on your thesis committee.

Students wishing subsequently to change their Thesis Committee, for reasons including significant changes in the direction of their research topic, should email Jennifer Weisman with the reason for requesting a change. Students must receive a positive response from the Chemistry Education Office in order for the change in committee to take effect.  Since changes in Thesis Committee membership can only be granted in unusual circumstances, students should contact the members of their committee to schedule the date for their oral defense well in advance of when they expect to complete their dissertation.

In the second year, each student’s research progress and intellectual development is evaluated through the Oral Examination. If a division requires an examination after the second year, Thesis Committee members also meet then. The thesis committee also meets for the Plan to Finish Meeting described below. Students (and research advisors) may arrange an additional meeting of the Thesis Committee in special circumstances by contacting the chair of the committee. Additionally, beginning in the second year of graduate study, each student meets with the Chair of their Thesis Committee at least once during the fall semester.

*Please note that if you are conducting research outside the department your Thesis Committee must be composed of at least two other MIT faculty besides your advisor and both must be from the Department of Chemistry. As noted above, your Thesis Committee chair must be in your area of chemistry (chemical biology, inorganic, organic, or physical).

Annual Meeting with Research Advisor

Under this system, research advisors are required to meet with each graduate student in their group who is in their second or later year to discuss the student’s intellectual and professional development over the past year and progress toward the degree. Prior to this meeting, students should complete Parts I-II of the required form on their own. Send the file to your Advisor the night before the meeting . At the meeting, students discuss their progress, future plans, and concerns with their advisor. The completed Graduate Student Annual Research Advisor Meeting form must be signed by both the student and their research advisor. Note that this is only a suggested format for the meeting. You and your advisor may choose a different format for the discussion as long as there is some written summary.

Annual Meeting with Thesis Committee Chair

Beginning in the second year of graduate student, each student meets annually with the Chair of their Thesis Committee. At these meetings, students update the Thesis Committee (TC) Chair on their on their research progress and general intellectual development in an informal and relaxed setting. The time, place, and format for this discussion is arranged between the student and Thesis Committee Chair. These meetings aim to encourage productive and stimulating discussions of science and to facilitate the development of further interactions between students and other members of the faculty besides research advisors. Students should keep in mind that these meetings are intended to focus primarily on academic and scientific matters, and that Thesis Committee Chairs are not bound by the same obligations with respect to privacy as are the Chemistry Department Mediators.

Plan to Finish Meeting

Updated October 2022

By June 1 st (and preferably before April 15 th ) of the 4 th year , each PhD student will participate in the Plan to Finish (PTF) meeting with their thesis committee. The purpose of the PTF meeting is for the student to discuss their timeline and plans for finishing a PhD.

In the 5 th year and beyond, if the student is not defending the PhD thesis by August 31 st of the 5 th year, the student will have another PTF meeting before June 1 st (and preferably before April 15 th ) of that calendar year, and the PTF meeting will be repeated annually until the year the student defends their thesis. Thus, a student who graduates in year five will have one PTF meeting, one who graduates in year six will have two, and so forth.

Before the meeting:  The student will prepare and share slides containing a summary of their research progress and their plans for research and completing the PhD thesis.

• Projects that will be wrapped up and/or relinquished
• Papers that will be written and/or submitted
• Opportunities for professional development
• Plans for after graduation
• The presentation should be succinct, not more than 8–10 slides total. These slides should include: (1) 1–2 introductory slides, one of which must display a proposed table of contents for the PhD thesis. The TOC includes the title for each proposed chapter and state of each chapter (e.g. “Experiments complete and manuscript published”, “Experiments nearly completed and manuscript writing in progress”, “Experiments ongoing”). (2) 1–3 slides per thesis chapter and associated future work linked to each chapter. (3) 1 slide summarizing future plans with a realistic timeline for completion of all the proposed activities (the PTF timeline).  Be sure to include the status of plans for after graduation. The student should consult with their research advisor in preparing the PTF timeline.
• The slides must be sent to the committee at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
• Meetings will be scheduled at the student’s direction and be organized by the research supervisor’s administrative assistant. These meetings are intended to be in-person, but teleconference can be used in special circumstances.

During the meeting: The meeting will follow the format below.

First, the student will provide a short (10-20 minute) presentation of their research progress and future plans based on their slides. Faculty will participate in discussion of the research and plans during this presentation.

Next, the research supervisor will be asked to leave the room so that the thesis committee can confer privately with the student.

Subsequently, the student will be asked to leave the room for a short period so that the committee can confer privately with the research supervisor.

The thesis committee will offer constructive feedback during and after the presentation and following the private discussions. The committee may request changes and/or revisions to the PTF outline as part of the discussion.

The plan to finish meeting will last ~1 hour altogether.

After the meeting:  The student will write-up a brief summary of the meeting, and submit it along with the PTF timeline and a signed PTF Form to the Chemistry Education Office as proof of completion. These items can be submitted as hard copies to the Chemistry Education Office or emailed to Dr. Jennifer Weisman .

• While the deadline to hold the PTF meeting is June 1 st , students are strongly encouraged to complete their PTF Meeting by April 15 th to avoid scheduling issues later in the spring. As a reminder, the research supervisor’s administrative assistant will schedule the meeting upon the student’s request.
• There is no possibility of failing the PTF meeting. The purpose of the meeting is fulfilled by the process of having it.
• Annual meetings with the research advisor are required every year, including the fourth year.

Graduate Student Exit Interviews

• Graduating students will be sent a list of interview questions by the Chemistry Education Office when the student joins the degree list. Instructions about scheduling a time for the in-person or virtual discussion will be included with other informational correspondence from the Chemistry Education Office regarding degree completion. Graduating students will perform their exit interview after the thesis defense so as to avoid making the interview an additional burden.
• For students departing the program without a degree, the interview questions and instructions for scheduling an in-person discussion will be sent by the Chemistry Education Office at the point in time that a date for termination of their appointment in Chemistry is determined.
• For the majority of departing students, this interview coincides with the end of the semester, but a rolling schedule of surveys is anticipated.

Guide for Graduate Students

For md-phd students in the hst program.

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

• PhD Program of Study

The PhD program requirements consist of a minimum of six credit units of lecture courses  of which are usually completed in the first academic year. In addition to the six required courses, students must also take the Chemical Information Course worth 0.5 credits. Frequently, students having interdisciplinary interests will take some courses in other departments in their second semester. Twenty units of combined course and research credit are required for the Ph.D. degree, after which students enter "dissertation" status until they graduate. Graduate Chemistry Courses are listed here : 400 level and above.

The supervisor selection process occurs during the first semester of study. The process is three stages: faculty interviews, faculty seminars, and rank-ordered choices.

Faculty Interviews

First year students must conduct a series of meetings with at least 6 faculty members as potential supervisors.  Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the professors’ research and the work of their groups.  Every student must conduct these “interviews” with faculty and turn in a form  to the Graduate Office.

Faculty Seminars

A weekly seminar series featuring current faculty members interested in recruiting students for their groups.  These are generally held every Wednesday evening from mid‐September through mid-November (5-6:30pm).  Attendance at these seminars is required and recorded for all first-year students, regardless of division interest.

Rank-Ordered Choices

Towards the end of the fall semester, all first‐year students must submit a rank-ordered list of top choices for research group assignments. Students are then matched with supervisors.

We require students to serve as Teaching Assistants for at least two semesters, usually during the first year. Teaching Assistants are responsible for supervising laboratory sections or conducting recitation classes under the guidance of a faculty member. New Teaching Assistants in Chemistry are prepared for their teaching responsibility through a special training program held for one week before the start of the fall semester.

A regular program of seminars, in which distinguished scientists visit the Chemistry Department, is an essential part of the curriculum. At Penn, there are weekly departmental research seminars in biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are strongly encouraged to participate. Additional interdisciplinary seminar series (Biochemistry/ Biophysics Minisymposium; Interface of Chemistry and Biology) and special sponsored lectures (Aldrich, Axalta Coatings, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Edgar Fahs Smith, ACS Philadelphia Section Award, Philadelphia Organic Chemists' Club, etc.) also offer opportunities to hear from premier scientists.

A major portion of the work towards a Ph.D. degree is a research project leading to the thesis. This usually involves several years of research under the supervision of a particular faculty member. Increasingly, chemistry-based students are becoming involved in interdisciplinary areas of research involving collaborations with faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows from other departments or institutions.

UCI Department of Chemistry

Search form, phd requirements and timeline.

During the course of the Ph.D. program, students will join one of the research tracks listed at the bottom of this page. Each has its own course requirements, but general features for all tracks include:

• Coursework : 7 four-unit courses (excluding Chem 280, 290, 291, and 399) with a grade of B or better. Students are also required to take Chem 200.
• Enrollment : To maintain full-time status, students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter
• Grades : To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a 3.0 average
• Teaching : Students are required to TA for at least 4 quarters (3 quarters for ChaMP students)
• Advisor : Students will typically choose an advisor during the 2nd quarter of their first year
• Exams : For students in the analytic, atmospheric, physical, or theoretical tracks, cumulative exams will take place at the end of the 1st year. Cumulative exams for the organic and inorganic tracks take place at the start of the 2nd year
• Advancement to Candidacy : Students typically advance to candidacy at the start of their 3rd year (end of 2nd year for organic students)
• Thesis Defense : Typically takes place at the end of the 5th year

For details on the requirements of the individual tracks, click on the appropriate link below:

• Atmospheric
• Chemical, Applied and Materials Physics (ChAMP)
• Chemical Biology
• Theoretical

Timeline to Degree

Ph.d. in chemistry timeline.

The time to complete the Ph.D. in Chemistry program is four to six years, with a typical student finishing in five years.

"A great thing about our program is the breadth of our research. You can explore many different areas of Chemistry." - Dean Tantillo, Professor

• Take and pass four ACS Entrance Exams at the 50th percentile or better  or  any prescribed undergraduate courses with a grade of "B" or better.
• Meet with faculty and join a research group by the end of the Fall quarter.
• Take up to six graduate courses (one to three per quarter) based on your chosen research area.
• Take any remaining required graduate courses.
• Take your  Qualifying Examination  (QE) either in Winter or Spring quarter, after all coursework is completed.
• Nominate your dissertation committee and Advance to Candidacy with the Office of Graduate Studies.
• Present your research project to your dissertation committee and peers in a  seminar , either in Winter or Spring quarter.
• Continue with research, write your dissertation and file to graduate.

Boston University Academics

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• PhD in Chemistry

The doctoral program in chemistry prepares individuals for teaching and research in academic institutions and for research in industrial and governmental positions. To be eligible for admission, a student must possess a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related discipline.

Learning Outcomes

• Students are required to design, carry out, present, and defend an original work of research at the cutting edge of their discipline.
• Students must demonstrate mastery of the subject material relevant to their graduate field of study and advance scholarship.
• Students need to be able to identify areas where ethical issues may arise in their discipline, and articulate strategies for dealing with them.
• Students are expected to be able to teach and promote their discipline at the undergraduate level.

Course Requirements

A doctoral student must accumulate 64 credits:

• Four of these courses must be at or above the 600-level
• Two courses acceptable for graduate credit in mathematics or natural sciences other than chemistry may be substituted for chemistry courses
• The remaining credits should be PhD research courses (CH 901/902 PhD Research in Chemistry)

Courses completed with a grade lower than B– are not degree-eligible. The student’s major advisor or the Graduate Programs Committee may require that specific nonresearch courses be taken beyond the requirement. Of the nonresearch courses, appropriate courses will be dependent upon the student’s background and interests and will be determined in consultation with the major advisor. Students may petition to be excused from nonresearch courses on the basis of equivalent courses taken elsewhere.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Qualifying Examinations

A student who wishes to be promoted to PhD candidacy must successfully complete an oral qualifying examination by spring of their second academic year. The oral qualifying examination is intended to test the student’s background knowledge in the subject specialty and the ability to think critically, independently, and creatively. Each student is required to compose a written research proposal describing their dissertation research project, and to defend the proposal in an oral examination administered by members of the student’s Dissertation Advisory Committee. The written proposal should define the background, objectives, significance, and plan of study for the research problem; a bibliography must be included. Recommendations to the department for advancement to PhD candidacy will depend on the results from the oral qualifying examination and on performance in coursework and research.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

The candidate shall demonstrate their ability for independent study by composing a dissertation representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the Readers, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the department Chair/Program Director. The candidate must undergo a final oral examination in which the original dissertation is defended as a valuable contribution to knowledge in the candidate’s field. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate expertise in their field of specialization in relation to the dissertation research. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree .

A PhD student who leaves the program with a master’s degree must accumulate 32 credits:

• At least 20 credits of academic coursework (five 4-credit courses)
• Four of these courses must be at or above the 600 level
• At least 8 of the remaining credits should be research coursework (GRS CH 903/904 MA Research in Chemistry)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants may take the general GRE exams in the autumn prior to applying, or earlier.  However, all GREs are optional. There is also a TOEFL requirement for foreign applicants who have not studied in an English speaking country for at least two years leading to a BS or MS degree.

Applicants who need assistance with the application fee are encouraged to apply for a fee waiver. Information on fee waivers is available on the Graduate Admissions website .

GRE scores are valid for approximately five years from the date taken. TOEFL scores submitted to Stanford must be from a test taken within the last 24 months. No scores are valid beyond the date ETS will send or resend them to schools. GRE exams are optional.

Stanford’s institution code is 4704. There is no department code.

Yes, you can use the career center or letter service from your university.

Scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. 

You may request a  waiver  in the online application if you (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized institution in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom in which English was the language of instruction.

You will be asked to provide the following:

• Upload an official statement certifying that your program was taught exclusively in English
• You may also link to your institution’s official website stating the language of instruction

Your waiver request will be routed to Graduate Admissions  after you submit your application and pay the application fee . Allow up to 15 business days after submitting your application for a response. This will not delay the receipt of your application by your graduate program.

No, you can only apply to one degree program per academic year.

There are no minimum scores required for applying to the chemistry Ph.D. program; however, we do want to see a minimum of 108 on the TOEFL. The admissions committee evaluates each applicant’s potential for success based on all materials in the file, recommendation letters, test scores, transcripts, and personal statements. GRE exams are optional. It's best to get letters from referees who have observed your research promise.

The University minimum TOEFL score is 600 (IBT 100), but the Chemistry Department is looking for a 108 or higher.

Your application status will be updated online periodically as we receive your application materials so please check the online application status for updates. If you have submitted your materials, but the status still remains unchanged, you can send an email to  chem.admissions [at] stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%20Documents) (chem[dot]admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . 

Please allow two weeks processing time once your transcripts are sent for your status to be updated. 

All applicants with incomplete applications will receive an email about their missing documents by the end of the second week in January.

The Chemistry Department and the entire University will be closed between December 21st, 3 PM PST and January 3rd. During this time there will be no one available to answer questions regarding your application. We encourage you to apply well before the deadline should any questions arise regarding your application or supporting documents.

Yes, you must submit a complete application and pay the application fee. We do keep transcripts, recommendation letters and other application materials on file from the previous year. You can contact us if you want material from your previous application to be included when you reapply.

Describe your research projects/skills/experience and specifically your research interests at Stanford; provide details and research group names. Be direct. 

Yes, but only after receiving an offer of admission. We will review your application with your uploaded unofficial transcripts. 

Once you accept the offer of admission, you will need to have your official transcripts and degree documents sent to Graduate Admissions. Information can be found on their website , as well as on you application status page.

*We require official documents from all post-secondary institutions where you were enrolled in a degree program for at least one academic year.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. For detailed information, see the TOEFL information in  Required Exams .

Exemptions are granted to applicants who have earned (or will earn, before enrolling at Stanford) a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the international equivalent degree from a university of recognized standing in a country in which all instruction is provided in English. Therefore, applicants with degrees from the U.S., Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales) are exempt from taking the TOEFL and do not need to submit the TOEFL waiver request form. If you are offered admission, the official transcript must be received showing the conferral of the degree from the qualifying institution or TOEFL exam scores will be required to enroll.

Applicants with degrees from institutions in countries other than those listed above and in which English was the only language of instruction may be eligible for a waiver of the TOEFL requirement. Applicants may request a waiver in the online application, which will then be reviewed by Graduate Admissions once your application has been submitted and the application fee is paid.

To learn more about the application procedure please visit the  Office of Graduate Admissions

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PhD duration in the USA

I am trying to find out what the average duration of PhD studies are in the USA. Here in Spain it used to be 4 years, but it seems that Europe is moving towards a 3-year scheme since students are expected to do their MSc before they start. What is it like in the USA? Is some kind of shortening also occurring?

• united-states

• 2 In my university, 4 or 5 in Economics, 5 or 6 in Finance. –  Akavall Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 15:53
• 6 Keep in mind that, in many fields, the time to PhD in the US also includes the coursework (master's) component, so the research phase can be anywhere from one semester to almost two years shorter than the "time to PhD." –  aeismail Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 17:02
• 4 In the experimental sciences, the time it takes to get a PhD can depend heavily on how a particular experiment or program of research works out. In physics it's not uncommon for people to do their coursework, then take several years trying to get an experiment to work, then give up and start over with some other experiment, which takes several more years. At the school where I got my PhD in physics, I think about 30% of my peers took 9 years total. –  user1482 Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 0:29
• 2 The dean of social sciences at my school is an archaeologist and mentioned offhand that his students typically take 9+ years to finish due to fieldwork. –  Tim Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 8:42
• 2 "it seems that Europe is moving towards a 3-year scheme" - I am not sure this applies so generally. In Germany, there is a certain movement towards structured doctoral programs, but newly introduced programs are quite sometimes designed to take four years. Moreover, the practical way these are sometimes conducted is that the doctoral candidate goes through the structured doctoral program for four years, and then remains with his or her department for another year or so, funded from other sources, to complete their doctoral thesis, thus maintaining the original duration of roughly five year –  O. R. Mapper Commented Sep 17, 2015 at 8:57

3 Answers 3

Each program is going to be different. Usually, the first couple years of a PhD program involves taking graduate level classes while the later years are dedicated to academic engagement in the discipline (for example, in Chemistry, you would do research in a lab.) If you have a Masters degree relevant to the PhD, you may cut off some or all of the classroom portion of the PhD program.

The qualifications for actually receiving the PhD also differ. You may need to get approval from an academic board (this is usually at least part of the process in any case), you may need to write a thesis, you may even be required to be published in an academic journal. (In the hard sciences, this is common.)

Because the requirements for getting the degree differ, the time may as well. For the most part, PhDs (with no Masters) should take between 4 - 6 years. Getting a Masters degree first may cut off about a year or so of that. While this is generally true, you will find many examples of people taking longer and I've known at least two people who graduated in less than 4 years with a PhD.

While this is an average, you'll want to get info specific to your desired University, the degree, and even the group (or academic adviser) that you choose to work for.

• 4 It also varies by discipline. Some take substantially longer than others. –  vadim123 Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 16:32
• For US PhD recipients in 2018, the median years between starting graduate school and earning a doctorate was 7.3. Do not rely on the 4-6 years. –  Anonymous Physicist Commented Jul 18, 2020 at 2:21

This varies so widely by discipline that asking for an average across all disciplines is unlikely to be very helpful. Most individual disciplines do keep careful records of this statistic, and it should be easy to search for them on (e.g.) google.

However, I would say with some confidence that no American PhD program requires or even expects its students to complete a PhD in less than four years. In some programs the "party line" is that it is desirable to complete the degree in four years, but in my experience this means that you start to feel the squeeze of increased teaching and/or decreased funding after four years, not that you get ejected from the program or forced to graduate.

I work in a discipline, mathematics, with a high entry cost but for which, once you acquire the necessary background and skills (with which a small minority of students do enter the program), there is no specific reason why you couldn't do all the work for a great thesis and write it up in a rather short amount of time, say on the order of a semester. Nevertheless I have met very few people who have completed a math PhD in fewer than four years. When we get to the upper echelons of talent, preparation and work ethic, this surely must mean that the culture of a PhD program strongly encourages students to stay for this amount of time.

To answer your final question: yes, many programs are trying to shorten their average time to degree as funding is being cut. In my own PhD program (mathematics at UGA) I was involved in an initiative to do just this: up until recently we guaranteed six years of funding to incoming PhD students without master's degrees and five for students with an incoming master's. We now guarantee five years to all students. Note that this does not mean that we do not have funded sixth year students: we certainly do. But it means that students will, throughout their time in the program, have to keep their eye on the five-year mark, which is something that our former arrangement was not doing: even very strong students would often stick around for six years for no especially good reason.

Finally let me also note that we changed (with my involvement) all our requirements to be independent of whether students arrive with master's degrees. We have found that the difference in the level of preparedness of such students is not significant enough to justify more stringent time-to-degree requirements.

• Many thanks. I find it amazing that you fund people equally regardless of whether they have a masters's; it's very generous. Very informative answer. –  CesarGon Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 21:59
• 1 I would +1 except for the 4-year hard minimum. I know several people who did the PhD in three, in STEM fields. If you're not looking for an academic job afterward, and you know what you want to research, 3 years is realistic in many fields. –  David Ketcheson Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 3:41
• @David: There are people who got their PhDs at 20 years old; one presumes they spent a short amount of time in the program. When I say four years is a "hard minimum", I mean I know of no program in the US which requires or even expects (e.g. by decreasing funding) its students to complete a PhD in fewer than four years. Do you? –  Pete L. Clark Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 8:10
• @CesarGon: In mathematics most students don't get a master's on the way to a PhD. –  Mark Meckes Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 10:14
• @PeteL.Clark I don't know of any such program. But expectations and hard minimums are very different, in my mind. Anyway, <4 is certainly unusual. –  David Ketcheson Commented Mar 26, 2014 at 13:03

The Survey of Earned Doctorates ( http://www.norc.org/Research/Projects/Pages/survey-of-earned-doctorates-(sed).aspx ) has detailed statistics. A summary report is http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf06312/ with breakdown by field, year etc.

• 3 We generally prefer to have more than just a bare link in answers, since the answer then becomes useless when the link decays. Can you please add a brief summary of key information at the end of the link? –  jakebeal Commented Nov 7, 2015 at 21:14
• Thank you. Would you be so kind to add a summary of what the report says, as suggested by @jakebeal? –  CesarGon Commented Nov 9, 2015 at 19:40
• For US PhD recipients in 2018, the median years between starting graduate school and earning a doctorate was 7.3. –  Anonymous Physicist Commented Jul 18, 2020 at 2:19

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This subreddit is for anyone who is going through the process of getting into graduate school, and for those who've been there and have advice to give.

Sharing my experience getting into a few top 10 and top 20 chemistry PhD programs

Hello! After having a relatively successful Chemistry PhD application cycle, I wanted to share some information for potential future applicants that could possibly be useful! A post like this would've helped me a lot so I'm hoping someone can get value from this! As someone who had 0 REUs, 0 pubs, and 0 awards, I want to reassure some of you out there that you can still get into top programs! Also feel free to ask me any questions and I'd be happy to answer!

Domestic Applicant, U.S. Citizen, Male, Not 1st gen., applied straight out of undergrad (during my last fall quarter).

GPA : 4.0, I went to UC Davis, B.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, graduated in 3 years and 1 quarter

GRE : 161V/164Q/5.5AW. I didn't take the chemistry subject GRE, and also didn't think it was necessary at all! A few schools said "highly recommended" and I still got accepted to them.

Research Awards/Fellowships: None!!!

Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs): None!!!

Publications: None!!! (Not even in preparation)

Research Experience: 2 years and 1 quarter by the time I submitted my application doing research in MS (analytical chem) applied to problems chemical biology. Was in one lab the whole time.

Posters: I had two posters , and presented at a total of 5 conferences. 3 were undergraduate conferences held by my school and 1 was UC Chemical Symposium and 1 was a graduate/undergraduate conference held by my school. (None were ACS)

Some other relevant classes/experiences: I took a total of 5 graduate classes in organic chemistry/chem bio. I also tutored chem/biochem/ochem at my school for 2 years and was the head tutor for ochem. Additionally I did ochem peer tutoring for the chem department for 2 quarters and had 1 quarter of chemistry peer mentoring experience and 1 quarter of serving on the chemistry undergraduate advisory council for the UCD chem department. I don't think these last 2 experiences had relevant impact and I only listed them on my CV.

Rec letters: 1 from from my PI who was quite well known. I believe his letter was fairly strong despite not interacting with me much due to how busy he was (but my grad student mentors would tell him a lot about me). I also had 1 from a prof who I took an upper div pchem and a grad class with. I then had 1 from a prof who I took 1 quarter of gen chem, 1 quarter of ochem, and 1 quarter of Bio-Organic lab with (I interacted with this prof the most).

Statement of Purpose/Personal statement : Super average, essentially just making sure I showed that I knew how to talk about my research for my SOP. For Personal statement, I described my tutoring experience with disadvantaged students and my goal to continue working with them in grad school.

WHERE I APPLIED AND RESULTS

All of these were chemistry PhD programs and I applied for either Chemical Biology or Organic Chemistry (I will specify next to the school).

Yale University- Accepted with fellowship (+4k/year) Chem Bio

University of Pennsylvania- Accepted Chem Bio

University of Chicago- Accepted with fellowship (+8k/year) Chem Bio

University of California San Francisco- Interview and then Accepted Chem Bio

University of California Los Angeles- Accepted with fellowship (+3k/year?) Organic Chem

University of California Irvine - Accepted Organic Chem

University of California Davis- Accepted with fellowship (+5k first year) Chem Bio

Columbia University- Waitlisted Organic Chem

University of California San Diego- Rejected Chem Bio

Harvard University- Rejected (1/27/2022) Chem Bio

Caltech- I nterview and then Rejected (1/11/2022) Chem Bio

Got off the waitlist for Columbia!

Decided to commit to Yale!

I was awarded the NSF GRFP!

CONTACTING PROFS BEFORE APPLICATIONS WERE DUE:

I actually think this is pretty important and can help a lot for getting accepted into the program, as it can help make your application known to prospective PIs. Profs I contacted before applying that replied with interest in working with me were at Yale, UCSF, UCI, and Columbia. I also contacted profs at UCLA, UChicago, and Caltech but got no response. Feel free to reach out if you want to know how I structured my emails to these profs!

MY SUBJECTIVE RANKING OF THE PRIORITY OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE PHD APPLICATION:

Research Experience

Contacting Profs ahead of time

Letters of Recommendation

Statement of Purpose

Personal Statement

This ended up being super long and thanks for reading through if you got this far. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask! Also I have not decided where to go yet ;-; it'll be a hard decision

TL;DR: 4.0 GPA, 161V/164Q/5.5AW, 7 acceptances, 1 waitlist, 3 rejections.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a phd.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

Frequently asked questions: Graduate school

In the US, most graduate school applications require you to include:

• Transcripts from previous educational institutions
• Standardized test scores (such as the GRE or MCAT)
• A graduate resume
• 2–3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose

Some programs may ask you to write a personal statement in addition to, or instead of, a statement of purpose. You may also be asked to an interview .

Always carefully read the application instructions for the specific program you’re applying to.

Most medical school programs interview candidates, as do many (though not all) leading law and business schools.

In research programs, it depends—PhDs in business usually do, while those in economics normally do not, for example.

Some schools interview everyone, while others only interview their top candidates. Look at the websites of the schools you’re applying to for more information on whether they conduct interviews.

In addition to thinking about your answers for the most commonly asked grad school interview questions , you should reach out to former and current students to ask their advice on preparing and what sort of questions will be asked.

Look back through your resume and come up with anecdotes that you could use for common questions, particularly those that ask about obstacles that you overcame. If you’re applying for a research program, ensure that you can talk about the previous research experience you’ve had.

You should also read as much research in your field as possible. Research the faculty at the schools you’re applying to and read some of their papers. Come up with a few questions that you could ask them.

Graduate schools often ask questions about why you are interested in this particular program and what you will contribute.

Try to stay away from cliche answers like “this is a good program” or “I got good grades in undergrad” and focus instead on the unique strengths of the program or what you will bring to the table. Understand what the program is looking for and come up with anecdotes that demonstrate why you are a good fit for them.

Different types of programs may also focus on different questions:

• Research programs will often ask what topics you’d like to research and who you would like to work with, as well as specific questions about your research background.
• Medical schools are interested in your personal motivation, qualities such as integrity and empathy, and how you’d respond to common ethical dilemmas.
• Business schools will focus on your past work experience and future career prospects, and may be particularly interested in any experience you have managing or working with others.

Some students apply to graduate school straight from undergrad, but it’s also common to go back to school later in life. The ideal time to do so depends on various financial, personal, and career considerations . Graduate school is a big commitment, so you should apply at a time when you can devote your full attention to it.

Your career path may also determine when you should apply. In some career fields, you can easily progress without a graduate degree, while in others—such as medicine, business, and law—it’s virtually impossible to move up the career ladder without a specific graduate degree.

Most graduate school applications for American graduate programs are due in December or January for a September start.

Some types of programs, especially law school, are rolling applications, meaning that the earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll hear back. In this case, you should aim to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances.

Medical school follows a completely separate timeline with much earlier deadlines. If you’re applying for medical school, you should speak to advisors at your university for more information.

A good starting point to aim for is about 18 months before you would start the program, or 6–9 months before the applications are due.

In the first few months of the process, research programs and study for any standardized exams you might need.

You can then begin writing your personal statements and statements of purpose , as well as contacting people to write your letters of recommendation . Ensure that you give recommenders plenty of time to complete their letters (ideally around 2–4 months).

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

It’s best to ask in person if possible, so first reach out and request a meeting to discuss your graduate school plans.

Let the potential recommender know which programs you’re applying to, and ask if they feel they can provide a strong letter of recommendation . A lukewarm recommendation can be the kiss of death for an application, so make sure your letter writers are enthusiastic about recommending you and your work!

Always remember to remain polite. Your recommenders are doing you a favor by taking the time to write a letter in support of your graduate school goals.

This depends on the program that you are applying for. Generally, for professional programs like business and policy school, you should ask managers who can speak to your future leadership potential and ability to succeed in your chosen career path.

However, in other graduate programs, you should mostly ask your former professors or research supervisors to write your recommendation letters , unless you have worked in a job that corresponds closely with your chosen field (e.g., as a full-time research assistant).

Choose people who know your work well and can speak to your ability to succeed in the program that you are applying to.

Remember, it is far more important to choose someone who knows you well than someone well-known. You may have taken classes with more prominent professors, but if they haven’t worked closely with you, they probably can’t write you a strong letter.

The sections in your graduate school resume depend on two things: your experience, and the focus of the program you’re applying to.

Always start with your education. If you have more than one degree, list the most recent one first.

The title and order of the other sections depend on what you want to emphasize. You might include things like:

• Professional experience
• Voluntary and extracurricular activities
• Publications
• Awards and honors
• Skills and certifications

The resume should aim for a balance between two things: giving a snapshot of what you’ve done with your life so far, and showing that you’re a good candidate for graduate study.

A resume is typically shorter than a CV, giving only the most relevant professional and educational highlights.

An academic CV should give full details of your education and career, including lists of publications and presentations, certifications, memberships, grants, and research projects. Because it is more comprehensive, it’s acceptable for an academic CV to be many pages long.

Note that, outside of the US, resume and CV are often used interchangeably.

No, don’t include your high school courses and grades. The education section should only detail your college education.

If you want to discuss aspects of high school in your graduate school application, you can include this in your personal statement .

A resume for a graduate school application is typically no more than 1–2 pages long.

Note, however, that if you are asked to submit a CV (curriculum vitae), you should give comprehensive details of all your academic experience. An academic CV can be much longer than a normal resume.

Always carefully check the instructions and adhere to any length requirements for each application.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

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• How Long Does A PhD Take?
• Doing a PhD

Sometimes, just knowing how long a PhD takes can be enough to sway your decision on whether a research degree is for you. So with that in mind, exactly how long does a PhD take?

In the UK, a full-time PhD takes 3 to 4 years to finish whilst a part-time PhD takes twice as long at 6 to 7 years. Alongside these average durations, there are time limits on how long you can be enrolled on to a PhD programme. To discover these limits, the factors which most influence doctoral degree durations and how the UK durations compare to international PhDs, continue reading on.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Full-time PhD?

In the UK, a full-time PhD will typically take you 3 to 4 years. You will usually spend the first three years on the technical aspects of your doctorate. This includes undertaking independent research, designing your research methodology and collecting and analysing data. You will then spend an additional academic year on writing up your PhD thesis and sitting your viva.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Part-time PhD?

In the UK, a part-time PhD will typically take you 6 to 7 years; twice as long as doing a full-time PhD. The reason for this is that as a part-time PhD student, you would dedicate around 20 hours per week to your PhD as opposed to the typical 40 hours full-time students would put into their subject.

How Long Does a Distance Learning PhD Take?

Similarly, distance learning PhD’s take an average of 6 to 7 years to complete. This is because the vast majority of students who undertake a distance learning PhD do so because they can’t relocate closer to the university. Although these commitments will differ, they often mean the student isn’t able to dedicate 40 hours per week to their studies.

Students in STEM disciplines will often take longer to finish a distance learning doctorate degree than those in non-STEM disciplines. This because the progress of a STEM PhD student will be limited by how often they can access a laboratory for experiment work.

How Does Funding Impact a PhD’s Duration?

In reality, the actual time it will take you to complete your PhD degree will depend on your funding situation.

If you’re receiving  funding , it will usually only cover you for 3.5 years if you’re studying full-time or for 7 years at half the stipend if you’re studying part-time. Although this could vary slightly, most PhD funding providers, e.g. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), follow this timescale as indicated on their ‘ length of PhD studentships’ page. Because of this, most students who obtain scholarships try to complete their PhD within the timeframe of their funding so they don’t incur additional fees which they need to cover themselves.

It’s also worth noting that some funded PhD positions have additional conditions attached to them as part of their eligibility requirements. For example, they may require teaching undergraduate students, hosting laboratory sessions or attend presentations and conferences. This will be especially true if you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). Although these shouldn’t add considerable time to the length of a PhD programme, they have the potential to do so if they aren’t managed properly.

As self-funded students cover their own annual tuition fees and other associated costs, how long they’ll spend to complete their PhD project will largely depend on their own personal financial situation. Because of this, most self-funded PhD students find it best to complete their PhD study in the shortest time-frame they can manage.

Are There Deadlines?

Yes – unfortunately, all good things must come to an end! Within the UK, the deadline for your PhD is defined as the last date which you must submit your final thesis by. This date is set by your university’s overall regulations and varies depending on the arrangements of your PhD, e.g. whether it’s full or part time. In the vast majority of cases, the adopted deadlines are four years for full-time PhDs and seven years for part-time PhDs from the date you were officially registered onto your programme, as shown below from the University of Leicester’s registration guidance page .

This time-frame may vary from university to university. For example, the University of Sheffield adopts an additional year for part-time PhDs as shown below.

Can I Complete It Faster?

Although it’s possible to complete a full-time PhD in under 3 years, it’s a significant feat that’s rarely heard of. When these feats occur, they’re usually where the doctoral student already has extensive knowledge and experience in their field before undertaking their PhD.

Whilst it’s possible to complete a part-time PhD in under 6 years, it largely depends on your commitments outside your studies. For example, if you have a part-time career alongside your PhD, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to commit the additional hours required to complete your doctorate a year faster.

However, if instead of a steady part-time job you take on occasional work as a freelancer, you’ll be able to set aside many more hours towards your doctoral degree.

Will Having only A Bachelor’s Degree or Being an International Student Limit My Rate of Progression?

Not at all. While there are benefits to having a Master’s degree such as an additional year of learning and greater research experience due to your fourth-year dissertation project, this doesn’t mean not having one would limit you. A PhD is very different to both Bachelor and Master degrees due to being heavily research-based, therefore, both types of students will have just as much to learn on their way to completing their doctorate.

Similarly, whether you’re an international student will bear no influence on the duration of your PhD.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How Does This Compare to the Duration of EU and US PhDs?

PhD hosted by universities within the EU, such as those in France, Norway and Spain, have the same programme structure as those within the UK. As a result, there are no noticeable differences in the time to complete a doctorate between UK and EU institutions.

However, this is not the case in the US. Compared to PhDs conducted within the UK or EU, PhDs conducted within the US take considerably longer to obtain. According to a  2017 study conducted by the National Science Foundation, a US government agency which supports research and higher education, the average time to get a PhD within the US is 5.8 years. Besides this, the average completion time can further increase depending on the disciplines. For example, they found doctorates within the humanities and arts to take an average of 7.1 years to achieve.

The primary reason for this difference is the way PhD degrees are structured within the United States. As mentioned previously, PhDs conducted within UK and EU universities are essentially broken into two sections – one covering the analytical aspects and the other covering the writing up aspects. However, within the US, doctorate programmes comprise additional sections. PhD students are first required to undertake 2 to 3 years of courses, which cover a broad range of topics related to their schools’ discipline. This is then followed by coursework and several examinations, which only once passed can the PhD candidate then start working on their research project and dissertation.

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How long does it take to finish a phd

• Thread starter playboy
• Start date May 18, 2007
• May 18, 2007
• New theory broadens phase transition exploration
• Physicists combine multiple Higgs boson pair studies and discover clues about the stability of the universe
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playboy said: Just out of curiosity, how long does it take to finish a phd? One of my prof's finished his phd in math in 3 years, and their is an

Saladsamurai said: Are we talking from start (freshmen yr) to finish? . . . or three years from a BS? Seems a rather short period of time.

• May 19, 2007

I think there is likely to be some difference in this figure between Europe and US. In the US the PhD takes two to four years, plus two more for a masters along the way. Thus we get the usual 4-6 year number. I believe in Europe their starting physics degree is closer to the US masters, so they take a bit less time to finish their PhD. Please correct me if I'm wrong.  

Sorry, I meant starting from the masters, how long to completion of the phd. and my prof, yeah, he did his bachelors somewhere in south America (Brazil i think) and his phd somewhere in the uk in 3 years. (this is in mathematics) I guess it all depends on many factors. But my guess is 2 years for a masters and 2-4 years for a phd.  

I entered my last stint as a math grad student with a masters in hand, and finished the PhD in 3 more years, which was all I was allowed. At my current school, PhD's often take (in math) 6 years, for students entering without masters. But we take a lot of students who need some undergraduate work first. It all depens on the preparation and speed of the student. I understand that at Princeton students traditionally finish more quickly, as they are expected to do. I.e. 2-3 years after the BA.  

Locrian said: I think there is likely to be some difference in this figure between Europe and US. In the US the PhD takes two to four years, plus two more for a masters along the way. Thus we get the usual 4-6 year number. I believe in Europe their starting physics degree is closer to the US masters, so they take a bit less time to finish their PhD. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

the point is whether you know the material for a masters going in or not.  

• May 20, 2007

Big difference between Australia and the US as well actually. 4 years to get Bachelor of Science (with Honours). Then, assuming you got high enough marks in 4th year, straight to PhD which generally only takes 3-3.5 years.  

arunma said: You sure about this?

• May 22, 2007

Hey arunma where are you going to gradschool at if your don't mind me asking.  

as i was thinking today, a phd is a degree without a well defined exit point. i.e. it is not a standardized thing, like an SAT test. The phd is over when the fat guy says it is. so it all depends on your Uni and their ideas and your prof. some unis will say we want more phds so we can get listed higher on the scale by these stupid publications that measure phd profgrams by productivity. so they will lower the criteria for beginning and encourage advisors to shoo the grads out the door without a lot of foundational training. sometimes this backfires when they get on their own. the criterion is often something nebulous like " a non trivial original piece of research". but even this can in practice mean reproving some theorem someone else already proved. so be sure to find out the ground rules and averages at yor uni.  

mathwonk said: The phd is over when the fat guy says it is.

Locrian said: No, that's why I asked for a correction ;). . . But I have heard it from many different people. Since my point was comparing US and Europe, and you didn't mention where you are, I don't even know which part of my post you think might be wrong!

Karatechop said: Hey arunma where are you going to gradschool at if your don't mind me asking.

mathwonk said: as i was thinking today, a phd is a degree without a well defined exit point. i.e. it is not a standardized thing, like an SAT test. The phd is over when the fat guy says it is. so it all depends on your Uni and their ideas and your prof. some unis will say we want more phds so we can get listed higher on the scale by these stupid publications that measure phd profgrams by productivity. so they will lower the criteria for beginning and encourage advisors to shoo the grads out the door without a lot of foundational training. sometimes this backfires when they get on their own. the criterion is often something nebulous like " a non trivial original piece of research". but even this can in practice mean reproving some theorem someone else already proved. so be sure to find out the ground rules and averages at yor uni.

• May 23, 2007

arunma said: What I meant to ask is: are you sure that it takes more time to get an MS on your way to a PhD, as opposed to getting a PhD without the MS? I was under the impression that all the MS coursework is part of the PhD program, meaning that for a PhD student can get an MS by simply filling out the paperwork after his first two years.

It took me 6 years to get my PhD after my Masters, but I changed advisors during that 6 years and lost funding twice so I had to go out and find a job.  

• May 24, 2007

For me, 3 years, 3 months, 12 days from start to corrections. I know of one person who has had a desk for 12+ years tho' There is no limit, if you have the money -- and the uni doesn't mind explaining to the funding agency why you still haven't graduated.  

• May 25, 2007

Here in the netherlands it's a bit different than in the US. The bachelor degree takes three years. After that you'll do a two year masters degree which consists of one full year of lectures and a one year research project. Everyone who has obtained a bachelor's degree can do a masters degree, because a bachelors degree is worth nothing here in the Netherlands. No way you can get a job with that. Afther the masters degree you can do your "promotie", which is a sort of PhD i guess. The minimum number of years it takes is 4, but most people take about 5 years to complete it...  

the PhD seems painfully long, it's like college minus the easier cirriculum, parties, hanging out all night, the fun stuff haha  

If you don't think the subject you are studying *is* the fun stuff, then a Ph.D. is definitely not for you.  

Locrian said: At the same university, this is probably true. If you get your MS one place and start your PhD another, you can almost certainly expect to do a bit more. If you are willing to make the switch, it may not be a big deal.

InbredDummy said: the PhD seems painfully long, it's like college minus the easier cirriculum, parties, hanging out all night, the fun stuff haha

Related to How long does it take to finish a phd

1. how long does it typically take to finish a phd.

The average length of time to complete a PhD program is 5-7 years, although this can vary depending on the field of study, research topic, and individual circumstances.

2. What factors can affect the duration of a PhD program?

Several factors can impact the time it takes to finish a PhD, including the complexity of the research topic, the availability of resources and funding, the quality of supervision, and the student's own dedication and progress.

3. Is it possible to complete a PhD in less than 5 years?

While it is possible to finish a PhD in less than 5 years, this is not the norm and typically requires exceptional circumstances, such as prior research experience, a well-defined research topic, and a high level of commitment and productivity.

4. Can a PhD program be extended beyond 7 years?

Yes, it is possible for a PhD program to be extended beyond 7 years, but this is usually only allowed in exceptional cases, such as unforeseen personal circumstances or significant changes in the research topic.

5. Are there any strategies to help finish a PhD in a timely manner?

Yes, there are several strategies that can help students finish their PhD in a timely manner, such as setting clear goals and timelines, seeking support and guidance from experienced mentors, and maintaining a good work-life balance to avoid burnout.

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Thinking of buying wegovy online here’s what to know about compounding pharmacies.

Sydney Lupkin

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Jennie Smith, a seamstress at a ballet school in Kent, Ohio, had been trying to lose weight and keep it off for years. After losing 60 pounds through dieting only to gain 30 of it back, she wanted to try the new weight-loss drugs like Wegovy.

But they cost more than $1,000 a month and she didn't think her insurance would cover it.

So Smith did some research and found a cheaper version on one of dozens of online pharmacies that tout their own copies of these weight-loss drugs.

She did a virtual appointment with a health care provider to figure out the right dose, and the pharmacy sent the drug to her a few weeks later on dry ice. The price: around $300 a month.

She’s lost 40 pounds since September.

The new obesity drugs work, but it's a dilemma when people have to stop taking them

“It was like a light switch,” she says. “As soon as I started taking it, I noticed not only was I not eating, but I wasn't thinking about food.”

But it wasn’t exactly Wegovy. Smith got what’s called a compounded medicine. It’s made with the same basic ingredient as Wegovy – semaglutide – but by a specialized pharmacy, not a drug company.

With the growing demand for weight-loss drugs like Wegovy, new online companies seem to pop up every day, offering telehealth prescribing of cheaper, compounded versions of the medicines. And for some patients, they offer a reprieve from the high name-brand prices, insurance company coverage denials and drug shortages.

The convenience and cost can be appealing, but there are some risks. Here’s what to know and how to protect yourself.

1. What are compounding pharmacies and are they legit?

Compounding pharmacies exist to help patients whose needs aren’t met by existing approved drugs. The compounded drugs are not generics, nor do they go through the Food and Drug Administration’s approval process. Instead, compounding pharmacists tailor drugs for individual patients who need them and are mostly regulated on the state level by boards of pharmacy.

For instance, if a drug is only available as a pill but an elderly patient can’t swallow one, a doctor would write a prescription so that a compounding pharmacist could prepare it in liquid form.

Compounding pharmacists are not supposed to make what are “essentially” copies of commercially available approved drugs, according to the FDA . But sometimes, compounding pharmacies can legally pitch in during a drug shortage.

That’s what’s happening now. Wegovy is in short supply because the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, can’t keep up with demand, according to the FDA .

But semaglutide — the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Wegovy — is widely available, says Scott Brunner, CEO of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding .

Compounding pharmacies are required to source their ingredients from FDA-registered facilities, says Brunner. “And they use some of the same FDA-registered facilities that the drug manufacturers use,” Brunner says.

2. If I buy semaglutide online, how do I know whether to trust the website I order from?

Many of the new websites offering to ship medicine to your door offer compounded versions of popular drugs made in-house or at compounding pharmacies they partner with.

Be aware that some companies selling compounded semaglutide may not be in compliance with state and federal standards.

Novo Nordisk has taken legal action against several businesses for selling compounded semaglutide that’s not up to snuff. It says it found impurities, the wrong concentration of the drug – even some products that contain no semaglutide at all.

According to a company statement, there have been hundreds of problems reported to the FDA’s voluntary adverse event reporting system associated with compounded semaglutide. As of the end of March, there were 99 hospitalizations and seven deaths. (To be sure, the brand name drugs also have hospitalizations and deaths in this database.)

When it comes to online compounding pharmacies, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy , which represents the state regulators, has found more than 40,000 online pharmacies operating illegally or in a way they don’t recommend.

“There are legitimate pharmacies that operate online and I would say probably 5% of all pharmacies that operate online are legitimate,” says Al Carter, NABP’s executive director.

Consumers can use NABP’s search tool to see whether an online pharmacy meets its “patient safety and pharmacy practice standards, or applicable laws.”

Carter says his organization checks 200 new online pharmacies a week. But as soon as a bad online pharmacy gets taken down, another two pop up in its place. “So we just continue to do our due diligence, but it's kind of like you're on a hamster wheel,” he says.

3. How can I check if the pharmacy or manufacturer is above board?

Since websites often work with several compounding pharmacies, and NABP can’t check everything, you can do more due diligence on your own.

One thing consumers can do to protect themselves is check that their pharmacy is licensed in their state, says Brunner. The FDA has a handy page of state-by-state links .

You can also ask the compounding pharmacist where they get their semaglutide, and check this FDA database online to see if that factory is registered with the FDA. Licenses and registrations like this mean the facilities can be inspected and need to comply with safety and quality standards.

“We hear from prescribers frequently that they are being bombarded with advertisements from these so-called pharmacies that, in fact, are not pharmacies at all,” Brunner says. “So we do believe there's counterfeit activity out there. You'd best be careful. But never, never, never inject something in your body that you did not get [with] a prescription from a licensed prescriber and a state licensed pharmacy.”

If you see anyone advertising compounded “Ozempic” or “Wegovy” instead of compounded semaglutide, it’s a red flag, Brunner says. Compounders aren’t legally allowed to use the name brand in their marketing. So what else might they be doing wrong?

“Our members will never tell you that they're selling compounded Mounjaro or compounded Ozempic,” Brunner says. “They will tell you that they dispense semaglutide.”

4. Is there any risk to getting a Wegovy prescription from an online doctor instead of my regular one?

The FDA and medical experts caution it’s safest to get FDA-approved name-brand drugs through your regular doctor and in-person pharmacy. But some people may feel uncomfortable talking to their doctors because of stigma about weight.

When Jennie Smith told her primary care doctor about using compounded semaglutide purchased online, he scolded her that she should try to lose the weight on her own.

“I thought, well, dang it, why couldn't I do this through sheer willpower?” she says. “And there's just no way. There's just no way that I could have done it.”

She’s losing weight on the compounded drug and says she hasn’t had any complications so far.

Still, it is crucial for patients to keep their regular doctors in the loop, says Dr. Scott Isaacs, the president elect of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and a professor at Emory University Medical School.

Unlike online providers who don’t get to know you (and your medical records) in person, your primary care provider can monitor other health issues that might complicate things.

“You don't want to hide this from your doctor. I mean, they need to know,” he says. “I can tell you an example of a patient I saw yesterday that had lost significant weight and they were taking other medications … And the dose had to be adjusted significantly because of their weight loss and they didn’t know that.”

Patients on insulin, for instance, might need a lower dose as they shed pounds while using semaglutide. Too much insulin can be dangerous and lead to seizures or even death.

Isaacs also says it’s important to physically check a patient’s thyroid because the drug — brand name or compounded — has a rare side effect: thyroid cancer.

He says he’d prefer patients work with him to get a prescription and avoid online pharmacies altogether. But he knows that’s just not always realistic.

“If there is a will, there's a way,” he says.

You can contact NPR pharmaceuticals correspondent Sydney Lupkin at  [email protected] .

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How Long Does it Take to Get a Psychology PhD?

Obtaining a PhD in psychology comes with a number of benefits, from the freedom to start your private practice to the chance to dive deep into research.

But if you’re charting out the next steps of your academic journey, the big question is, “How long does a PhD in psychology take?”

Ultimately, it depends on a handful of factors, but you can expect to be in school anywhere from five to seven years. 1,2  Let’s break down the timeline together and explore why earning a doctorate in psychology may be well worth the commitment. 

Get Your PhD in Psychology Degree

Psychology PhD Program Overview

A doctorate of philosophy in psychology is a terminal degree that helps prepare graduates for a range of professional pathways. It’s often seen as an ideal choice for students who hope to gain teaching experience or produce fresh insights through scientific research. 3 PhDs in psychology may also earn their licensure and work directly with clients in clinical settings, such as a mental health clinic or a private practice.

PhD in psychology programs may vary from institution to institution. Yet, they’re typically broken down into four primary categories:

• Methods and statistics
• Assessment and treatment of mental health conditions
• Research – Research is an integral component of PhD in psychology programs. Throughout your program, you may fine-tune your ability to gather information, perform interviews, work with participants of your selected study (or studies), gather and evaluate data, conduct literature reviews, and present results.
• Clinical practice and research – The knowledge and skills you obtain through coursework and research are taken from theory into practice through supervised training and/or a doctoral internship. Depending on the school, you may also have the opportunity for teaching assistantships.
• Dissertation – Your dissertation and dissertation defense are the key to the completion of your PhD and a culmination of your academic coursework, research, and hands-on training. While some may compare a dissertation to a thesis, dissertations are much more substantial in scope and typically come in between 100 and 300 pages. 7 If you’re unsure about your focus, we have the top 10 clinical psychology research topics to explore for your dissertation.

Stages of the PhD Program

The phases of a PhD in psychology also range from school to school. Graduate students can expect the following:

• Comprehensive exams
• Research proposal
• Dissertation research
• Dissertation defense

Does this mean you’ll manage each of these one at a time? Not necessarily. You might attend a morning lecture, teach for an hour, see a patient for an intake assessment, and spend your evening working on your dissertation.

Factors Affecting the Duration of a PhD in Psychology

Several factors may influence your particular answer to “How long does a PhD in psychology take?” These may include:

• Part-time vs. full-time status
• Job obligations
• Family obligations
• Domestic circumstances
• Extenuating circumstances that occur during your program
• Area of specialization

The duration of your graduate program may also be contingent upon the strength of your relationship with your mentor/doctoral advisor and, importantly, what you bring to the program, such as time management skills, motivation, and momentum. 8

The Role of Internships and Practical Experience

Internships and clinical practicums are crucial to gaining the skills and confidence required to transition from your doctoral program into the “real” world.

The type of hands-on experience you gain—and where it will occur—will depend on your program and discipline, but PhD in psychology students usually observe a licensed clinical psychologist in action or work directly with clients or groups of clients. In both scenarios, you typically have the opportunity to ask questions and request feedback. 9

Where do these internships and practicums take place? In a range of settings, such as:

• Rehabilitation centers
• Substance abuse facilities
• Private practices
• Correctional facilities

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program at Alliant International University, for example, pairs doctoral candidates with clinical practicum opportunities within the community to further your professional development.

As mentioned, a PhD in psychology usually takes between five and seven years, plus, in most cases, a one-year internship. Bear in mind, however, that the factors noted above could potentially delay completion.

5 Tips for Staying on Track

There are several ways to remain on track throughout your graduate studies: 10

• Establish regular meetings with your mentor/dissertation advisor to evaluate your progress
• Set firm deadlines
• Select a manageable research topic
• Work at building a support system, inside and outside of your program
• Decompress with regular breaks, whether that means exercise, a staycation, or a quick weekend away

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), studies suggest that picturing the completion of your PhD and your future success can boost your motivation. Getting a PhD in psychology is no easy feat, but you are making a difference in the lives of others.

How We Support Our PhD Students

Alliant International University is intent on ensuring students receive the support they need to thrive throughout their academic journeys. We offer a number of resources to nourish your well-being, including libraries, labs, and online databases. Add an encouraging faculty to the list, and you can rest assured that we’ll help you stay on track.

Elevate Your Academic Career at Alliant International University

“How long does it take to get a psychology PhD” is case by case, much in the way your clients may be in the future. However long it does take is incomparable to what you may gain from your program, from in-depth knowledge of the brain to the finest research techniques.

Alliant International University nurtures these very things. We offer two doctoral degrees in Psychology: a PsyD and a PhD in Clinical Psychology . Both come equipped with attributes that can help students flourish—during their PhD degree programs and after.

Imagine your future in psychology by exploring our doctoral programs today.

• Kendra Cherry, MSEd. “Different Timelines for Doctorate-Degree Options in Psychology.” Verywell Mind, November 7, 2023. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-phd-in-psychology-2795131.  
• “Home.” Alliant Intl University. Accessed April 20, 2024. https://www.alliant.edu/psychology/clinical-psychology/phd.  
• “Doctoral Degrees in Psychology: How Are They Different, or Not so Different?” American Psychological Association. Accessed April 20, 2024. https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/01/doctoral-degrees .
• “Psychology Doctorate Phd Defined: Explore Academic, Internship and Research Requirements for a Psychology Phd.” Psychologist, March 24, 2021. https://www.psychologist-license.com/types-of-psychologists/psychologist-doctorate-phd/.  
• “Best Doctorate in Psychology (Ph.D.. and Psy.D.).” Psychology.org | Psychology’s Comprehensive Online Resource, April 12, 2024. https://www.psychology.org/degrees/phd/.  
• “Daily Activities of a Clinical Psychology Phd Student.” Simply Mental Health, November 13, 2022. https://simplymentalhealth.ca/2022/11/13/daily-activities-of-a-clinical-psychology-phd-student/.  
• "How Long Is a Dissertation? Here’s the Average Length.” Dissertation Team. Accessed April 20, 2024. https://us.dissertationteam.com/blog/how-long-is-a-dissertation/.&nbsp ;
• Young, Sonia N, William R Vanwye, Mark A Schafer, Troy A Robertson, and Ashley Vincent Poore. “Factors Affecting Phd Student Success.” International journal of exercise science, January 1, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6355122/.  
• “Internships and Practicums.” Psychology.org | Psychology’s Comprehensive Online Resource, April 10, 2024. https://www.psychology.org/resources/internships-and-practicums/.  
• “Revive Your Drive--Six Empirically Supported Techniques for Getting Excited about Grad School Again.” American Psychological Association. Accessed April 20, 2024. https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2008/09/grad-school.&nbsp ;

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