Graduate Studies

Degree	Semester(s) of entry	Deadline dates	Test requirements
Ph.D.	Fall (preferred)	Jun 1 (Jan 15 for financial assistance)	GRE-General; TOEFL required for international students
	Spring	Nov 15
M.S.	Fall (preferred)	Jun 1 (Jan 15 for financial assistance)	GRE waived for Fall 2022
	Spring	Nov 15	International students require TOEFL (A minimum score of 100 in the TOEFL exam is required to be considered for financial assistance)

Graduate students in the College of Engineering have the opportunity to pursue the Master of Science in Engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Life Science Engineering.

Students in the graduate chemical and life science engineering programs will gain exposure to cutting-edge research practiced by faculty members and peers. Funding comes from public and private sector entities, and sponsored research areas include specialties in both life science engineering and chemical engineering.

Research areas in chemical and life science engineering include:

• Nanotechnology
• Pharmaceutical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Systems Biology
• Energy Technology

Refer to the research section of the site to learn more about the varying research interests of faculty members in the department.

Program Details

The chemical and life science engineering tracks in the engineering master’s and doctoral programs are designed primarily for students who are interested in applying biological, chemical, medical and engineering principles toward important contemporary topics.

Check out the People and Research pages to see the latest areas in the CLSE Department.

Typical curricula of graduate study in CLSE – M.S. / Ph.D.
Concentration components– CLSE course work	CLSE 650 – Quantitative Analysis CLSE 654 - Graduate Equilibrium Analysis CLSE 655 - Graduate Non-Equilibrium Analysis CLSE 656 - Graduate Reaction Engineering
Track electives – engineering and/or science course work	Grad Electives (500/600 level)
Directed Research	Thesis Research (CLSE 697)
All CLSE graduate students attend Graduate Seminar (CLSE 690) each semester (does not count towards graduate coursework credit).
Please see the links to the VCU Bulletins for typical number of credits required for each program

Thinking of applying to the Graduate Program in Chemical and Life Science Engineering?

Is your undergraduate degree in an engineering field?
Consider applying for an M.S or Ph.D. See Admission Procedure below.

Is your undergraduate degree in a non-engineering field?
You may be suited for our “B.S to M.S in Engineering Bridge Program”. See Admission Procedure below.

Questions?
Contact the CLSE Graduate Program Director: clsegradinfo@vcu.edu

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Admission Procedures

Application for admission to Graduate Study in the College of Engineering begins with the completion of an application for admission form. The form is available on the Graduate School website.

Send the completed form to the Graduate School, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 843051, Richmond, VA 23284-3051. A fee paid in the form of a check or money order (payable to VCU) must accompany the application. The fee cannot be returned or credited toward tuition payment.

The following documents are required:

1. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work sent directly from college or university registrars to the Graduate School (address above).
   
   
2. Letters of recommendation from three present or former teachers or others believed bythe applicant to be qualified to evaluate fitness to engage in graduate study for the degree in the field of choice.
   
   
3. A Statement of Purpose from the applicant summarizing motivation, education and aims in pursuing graduate study.
   
   
4. GRE Scores: Verbal, quantitative and analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination are required for all Ph.D.-degree seeking applicants. Advanced or subject tests are not required. Contact the Graduate Program Director (clsegradinfo@vcu.edu) with questions. For information on the GRE examination, contact the VCU Graduate School or the Educational Testing Service.
   
   
5. TOEFL/IELTS Scores: International applicants for whom English is not their native language must meet university admission requirements for performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or International English Language Testing System. Acceptance of an applicant is based on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee with approval of the program chair and the associate dean for graduate studies. To download application forms or to apply online, visit the VCU Graduate School’s website.