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Admissions

Admissions Process

Admission Application Deadlines Term Deadline
PhD (accepted candidates receive financial assistance) Domestic and International Fall February 15
MS Course-Based (no financial assistance) Domestic and International Fall February 15
MChE Part-Time (no financial assistance) This Program Does Not Admit F-1 Students Fall May 1
MS Course-Based (no financial assistance) International Spring September 15
MS Course-Based (no financial assistance) Domestic Spring October 15
MChE Part-Time (no financial assistance) This Program Does Not Admit F-1 Students Spring November 1

 

How to apply?

All required documents are to be directly uploaded to your account during the application process.  Please prepare them beforehand. 

 

Graduate Program Application 

US Application Checklist

  • UH Graduate School Application
  • Scanned copies of official transcript will be used for the application review process (upload). If admitted Official Transcript must be submitted to the Graduate School before enrollment can take place.
  • GRE is Optional.
  • Statement of Purpose (uploaded- if possible no longer than 2 pages)
  • Resume (uploaded)
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation (emails must be listed on the online application)
  • $50 Application Fee (For PhD applications received before Jan 15, 2024 the application fee is waived. Any applications received after this date are subject to the full application fee — no exceptions.)

International Application Checklist

  • UH Graduate School Application
  • Scanned copies of official transcript will be used for the application review process. Please upload the required documents that pertains to your University:
    1. Transcript and Marksheets
    2. Transcript and Translated Transcript

    If admitted All of These Official Documents along with the Degree Certificate/Diploma must be submitted to the Graduate School in sealed/ stamped envelopes by the issuing university before enrollment can take place.

  • GRE is Optional.
  • Official TOEFL scores  (University code is 6870) or Official IELTS scores or the Official DuoLingo test is acceptable. Click here for more information on how to submit the scores.
  • Statement of Purpose (uploaded- if possible no longer than 2 pages)
  • Resume (uploaded)
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation (emails must be listed on the online application)
  • Financial backing letter (uploaded) only required for MS applicants
  • Copy of passport (uploaded)
  • $80 Application Fee (For PhD applications received before Jan 15, 2024 the application fee is waived. Any applications received after this date are subject to the full application fee — no exceptions.)

If admitted Official transcript(s) should be sent to one of the Graduate School addresses below. You will not be able to enroll without the official transcript(s) showing undergraduate degree awarded/conferred on file.

In-Person Delivery:

University of Houston
Welcome Center
4400 University Dr
Houston, TX 77004

Mail:

University of Houston
Graduate Admissions
5000 Gulf Freeway
UH Technology Bridge
Building No. 3, Rm 170
Houston, TX 77204-2105

Electronic or "Speede" Transcript:

Within the U.S., the fastest way to send your transcript is electronically. Please inquire at your previous institution about this option. Electronic transcripts can be delivered via email to gradschool [at] uh.edu (gradschool[at]uh[dot]edu).

*International Applicants use this Country-Specific Guidelines link to find a list of what transcript materials you are required to have sent by post.

 

Application Status Notification

You will be notified by email when there is a change to your application status. Decisions are not released on a rolling basis; so there will be some delay before you hear from us.

 

Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Fall term deadline to apply to for the MS or PhD programs?
    The deadline to submit your Online Application is February 15 of each year for the upcoming Fall Term. Be advised that all required documents must be uploaded by this date.
  2. What is the current stipend for PhD students?
    At this time, the current stipend is $34,200 per year. All qualified candidates accepted into our PhD program receive full financial assistance. No separate application is necessary.
  3. What are the TA requirements in the PhD program?
    All graduate students are expected to be a Teaching Assistant at some point during their time in Chemical Engineering.
  4. Can I apply for a PhD with only a bachelor’s degree?
    Yes, you can apply to the PhD program with only a BS degree.
  5. Can I apply for the Spring semester to the MS or PhD programs?
    Yes, but only the MS program. PhD students are admitted only for the Fall semester.
  6. What criteria are used to admit students?
    The admission committee carefully studies the entire fill, which includes all the required items listed on the chemical engineering admission website.
  7. Do I need to contact individual faculty for admittance?
    No, all admission decisions to the are made by the Department Graduate Admission Committee. Not individual research faculty.
  8. Choosing a PhD Research Advisor?
    Students choose their advisor in the first semester. Faculty presentations are typically conducted in October. You will submit your choices by rank-order first, second, and etc. The department earnestly attempts to assign students to the advisor of their choice.
  9. Can MS students conduct research?
    Our MS program is primarily course based.
  10. Is there financial assistance for the MS program?
    Direct financial support from the CHE department us not available. However, the college of engineering offers a Masters $1,000 competitive scholarship for the first year. This scholarship allows for in-state tuition. This is based on the availability of funds and you will be considered for this if scholarship.
  11. How do I find tuition and fee costs?
    Information about Graduate tuition and fees can be found at this link.
    (This calculator is intended for estimation purposes only.)
  12. What are the requirements on writing the statement of purpose (SOP)?
    It should be no longer than two pages. Please provide your perspective on why you want to pursue your PhD, past experiences that have prepared and motivated you for graduate research and why UH is the right school for your graduate career.
  13. What is the minimum GPA needed to apply to the MS/PhD programs?
    Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  14. Are GRE scores required?
    No, the General GRE Exam scores are optional. There is no cutoff scores and admission is based on the entire application.
    (scores should not be older than 5 years from the day you took the exam)
  15. Can TOEFL exam be waived?
    There is a list of countries that are exempt from the English Language Proficiency at this link.
  16. Is there a minimum score required for the English Language Proficiency Requirement?
    Yes, you can find what the minimum score is for each test (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) at this link.
  17. What is the UH Institution Code for ETS to report scores?
    The School/Institutional Code for the University of Houston, Main Campus is 6870. No dept code is needed.
  18. What resources are available for securing future employment upon graduation?
    Our department has many employers that visit to recruit our PhD students. The Cullen College of Engineering offers an Engineering Career Fair at least twice a year. Additional resources can be found regarding campus-wide recruiting events, hosted by the University Career Services. Also, after the first year of study and with permission of your Advisor and meeting the criteria; you can do summer internship. This gives students an opportunity to receive career training with pay as they work with professionals in their major fields of study.

For any further inquiries regarding this application process, you may reach the Chemical Engineering Department Graduate Office via e-mail: grad-che [at] uh.edu (grad-che[at]uh[dot]edu).