Careers and Outcomes

A chemistry graduate student smiles next to his workstation in a lab.

Stand out as a professional chemist

Ready to take a big step in your development?

A master’s in chemistry sets the base for your future success.

Preparing you for multiple paths

What are your goals?

If it’s advanced study or high-level lab work, this program can be your launch pad.

  • Prepare for doctoral (PhD) or medical programs: About 60% of our graduates take this path. Many have been accepted by prestigious PhD programs.
  • Career preparation: The rest are ready to start their careers. They go on to work in industrial or government labs, typically.

Where can you work?

A PhD can help you become a college professor, lead researcher or pursue leadership/management roles.

If you’re eager to start your career, you can pursue jobs like in fields like:

  • Chemical research and development/manufacturing
  • Food research and development/manufacturing
  • Forensic science
  • Instrumentation
  • Environmental

Earn a master’s in chemistry

Join an in-demand field

Chemists work on the products that make our lives easier. A master’s degree makes you even more employable.

Pay

$80,670

Average annual salary for chemists.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employed

95,000

Projected number of chemists and materials scientists employed in 2032.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Design the best degree for you

In MSU’s program, you’ll explore chemistry at an advanced level.

Even better: You can focus on the area you enjoy most.

With electives, you can choose to specialize your degree around a topic like:

  • Analytical chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemical education
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry (including polymer chemistry and nanotechnology)
  • Organic chemistry
  • Physical chemistry

Every student has different goals. With one-on-one support from professors, guided research and personalized advisement, your degree will help you achieve your career goals.