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Master of Applied Science: Chemistry Option

General Information

1. Who should enroll in this option?
2. What are the admission requirements?
3. How do I apply?
4. How is this different from a traditional master’s degree?
5. Why is it important to integrate business and chemistry?
6. How much is tuition?
7. What about scholarships/fellowships?
8. Is housing available?
9. When are classes held?
10. Do I have the option of full- or part-time?
11. Where are classes held?
12. Who teaches the courses in this option?

Who should enroll in this option?
The MAS in Chemistry degree is designed for: 1) Chemists seeking career advancement in government, industry, medicine, and technology; 2) Recent science graduates looking to gain a competitive edge in the professional job market; 3) Persons re-entering the workforce looking to refine professional and technical skills; and 4) Science teachers seeking professional growth and advancement.

What are the admission requirements?
To be admitted to graduate studies at Missouri Western State University, an applicant must complete an Application for Graduate Admission. Admission to graduate programs at Missouri Western State University is based upon the following:

1. A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. A minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA).
3. Minimum graduate-level entrance exam score, as designated by the department or graduate program.
4. Resumė, letters of recommendation, and interview as required by the admitting program.
5. Degree-seeking students admitted to a graduate program must enroll and begin classes at Missouri Western State University within one academic year after receiving official notice of acceptance from the Graduate Office.
6. Applicants who are not citizens of the United States must receive a score of 550 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless the applicant is from a country where English is the native language or they possess a baccalaureate degree from a college or university in which the primary language of instruction was English.

Admission to the MAS Chemistry degree program requires successful completion of an appropriate baccalaureate degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, approval of the Chemistry Graduate Admissions Committee, and passing scores on sub-discipline placement exams. Applicants with a GPA from 2.75-2.99 and those failing to achieve a passing score on at least 3 of the 5 Chemistry sub-discipline placement exams may be given provisional enrollment with the requirement to successfully complete (B or better) the undergraduate course in which the substandard scores are achieved. Sub-discipline exams to be administered include: Analytical (Quantitative Analysis + Instrumental Methods), Organic, Inorganic, Physical, and Biochemistry. A student accepted under a provisional status may enroll in the MAS professional core courses and only CHE 620, 630, and 640 until the required undergraduate deficiencies are completed.

How do I apply?
Fill out an application online. For more information, contact the Graduate Studies Office
or the Chemistry Department.

How is this different from a traditional master’s degree?
The MAS degree at Missouri Western State University is an interdisciplinary professional master’s program for students interested in a wider variety of career options than typically provided by existing traditional graduate programs in the various disciplines of study. The MAS degree programs are open to bachelor’s level degree graduates and prepare students for work in various professional fields. 

Why is it important to integrate business and chemistry?
The Master of Applied Science in Chemistry degree is designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in chemistry, while simultaneously developing workplace skills highly valued by employers. The program is an innovative two-year graduate degree consisting of academic training in chemistry, along with a professional component including “cross-training” in business and communications developed in concert with industry and designed to dovetail into present and future professional career opportunities. Graduates are equipped to manage the breakthroughs that are created by the research teams. They can interact between researchers and managers, especially in the marketing, finance, and legal departments. The Master of Applied Science in Chemistry allows students to pursue advanced training and excel in the field of chemistry while simultaneously developing highly-valued business skills, preparing them for science careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, where workforce needs are increasing. The curriculum is characterized as “science-plus,” combining rigorous study of chemistry with skills-based coursework in business fundamentals, economics, regulatory affairs, intellectual property, project management, and skills-oriented training in:  communications, computation, and working in teams. The MAS Chemistry goals are:

• To broaden and deepen the knowledge of state-of-the-art analytical methods
• To learn to design and manage projects
• To gain an overview of statistical methods
• To improve communication skills
• To become aware of emerging opportunities in the chemical, biotechnical, and pharmaceutical industries, hospitals, forensics, food technology and other burgeoning chemical-technical areas such as environmental remediation.

How much is tuition?
Tuition for fall 2007 is $193 per credit hour for Missouri residents and $353 per credit hour for non-Missouri residents. For a complete chart of tuition and fees, click here.

What about scholarships/fellowships?
Two Graduate Teaching Assistantships are available in Chemistry and awarded on a competitive basis. Contact the Chemistry Department for more information or obtain an application through the Graduate Office.

Is housing available?
Housing is not available at this time. However, if a student has a need for housing, contact the Graduate Studies Office, and arrangements may be made.

When are classes held?
Classes for the Master of Applied Science Chemistry degree are scheduled to be offered on two weekday evenings (Tuesday and Thursday) after 4:30 p.m. during the regular fall and spring semesters. All classes will be scheduled to accommodate students who may already be engaged in full-time employment.

Do I have the option of full- or part-time?
Most students should plan to complete the degree during four academic semesters taking 6-9 credits of course work each semester. A minimum of 32 total credits are needed for degree completion. Enrollment is considered full-time when taking 9 credits per semester. 

Where are classes held?
Classes will be held on the main campus of Missouri Western State University in Agenstein Hall and Murphy Hall.

Who teaches the courses in this option?
Most courses required of this graduate degree program will be taught by full-time Ph.D. faculty members approved for graduate faculty status by Missouri Western State University. It is anticipated that adjunct graduate faculty may be used to teach selected applied and professional courses, and will be required to meet established university criteria for graduate faculty status.