Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Coordinator: Melissa Weinrich, Ph.D.
Email: Melissa.Weinrich@unco.edu
Phone: 970-351-1172
Location: Ross Hall 3480
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/chemistry-biochemistry/
This Chemistry M.S. extends and builds upon the knowledge and skills learned at the undergraduate level and, through the science education component, develops skills necessary to become increasingly effective in the chemistry classroom.
Successful completion of this degree will enhance advancement opportunities in the education field and provide a teacher advanced training in content and pedagogy. The degree can also qualify graduates to teach at the junior or community college level.
Admission
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall, Spring and Summer
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
Chemistry M.S. - Education Concentration Non-Thesis Option
Admission Deadline
Fall Admission
For priority consideration, completed applications must be received by the Graduate School by Jan. 15. Acceptance and support information will be sent to successful applicants by March 1. Applications received after Jan. 15 will be reviewed after these and a decision typically made after the priority considerations have been completed. Typically, these decisions will be made within four weeks of submission of the completed application.
Spring Admission
Admission for the Spring semester is uncommon, but is possible. For consideration of admission in the Spring semester, applications must be complete by Nov. 10. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis typically within four weeks of the receipt of the completed application. Any applications for spring admission that are completed after that date will be handled as Fall admission applications.
Summer Admission
Admission to start a graduate program in Chemistry or Chemical Education in the Summer semester is not considered. All applications requesting summer admission will be deferred to the Fall or Spring semester as appropriate based upon the date the completed application is received.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an Institutionally Accredited college or university or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better (on a 4.00 scale) for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are still completing your bachelor's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.
- If you have completed a master's degree, or at least 18 credit hours towards a master's degree, the GPA of your master's work will be used.
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:
Submit the Chemistry Cover Letter by clicking on the "Chemistry Cover Letter" link in your Admissions Portal. The form will ask you to address the following:
- What areas of research are you interested in?
- Your goals after obtaining a graduate degree
- How UNC will help you obtain your goals
- Whether or not you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship
Additional Information
Students should have completed requirements of an ACS-certified baccalaureate degree in chemistry.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.
This STEM-designated degree program meets the qualifications of students on an F-1 visa to apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion optional practical training (OPT). For more information regarding OPT, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students.
Please note: This designation does not apply to degree programs that are offered online.
Degree Requirements — 30 Credits
Required Courses — 7 credits
Note: Take CHEM 600 or CHEM 622. Students should consult their advisor to choose the appropriate option.
Chemistry Electives — 3-12 credits
In consultation with their advisor, candidates can select up to 12 hours of chemistry elective coursework.
Pedagogy Electives — 11 credits minimum
In consultation with their advisor, candidates can select at least 11 credits of appropriate graduate-level courses in supporting areas such as Psychology, Educational Technology, Science Education, Education Foundations, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, and Statistics and Research Methods.
Note: In addition to course requirements, all students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination in chemical education that includes the ACS General Chemistry I and II standardized examinations with a grade of 80% or higher.
Qualifier Examinations — Each student must pass qualifying examinations in three of five areas selected from chemistry content (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic or physical chemistry). Students will have two opportunities to pass each area exam. Qualifier examinations are scheduled during the two week period preceding the beginning of the Fall semester. If an examination is failed, the requirement may be satisfied by completing designated undergraduate coursework in the appropriate subdiscipline with a minimum grade of “B.”