Requirements for the Program

Ph.D. Option in Chemistry Education

Demonstration of a broad understanding of undergraduate chemistry by passing a series of basic examinations or satisfactory performance in approved courses.
Demonstration of chemistry laboratory research proficiency by completing a thesis-based M.S. (or equivalent) either at UNH or another university.
Satisfactory performance in a series of courses in science education, cognition, and qualitative/quantitative research methods.
Attendance at Department seminars and research Lunch Talks.
Satisfactory presentation of a Research Progress Report in the second year of residence
Present a department seminar on a topic unrelated to dissertation research in the third year of residence.
Preparation and oral defense of an original research prospectus in the third year of residence. Successful completion of the research proposal defense enables the student to advance to candidacy.
Preparation, public presentation, and oral defense of a written dissertation.
GPA of 3.0 or higher required to graduate.
Please contact the department for additional information on this option.

Faculty Research Advisor and Dissertation Committee

Students select a research advisor during the ﬁrst semester in the program after interviewing at least three faculty members. During each semester thereafter, students conduct independent research under the supervision of the Faculty Research Advisor. In the second year of residence and before the Research Progress Report, a dissertation committee is selected. This committee evaluates the student's Research Progress Report and the Research Proposal Defense. Once the Research Proposal Defense has been passed and the student advances to candidacy, a fifth committee member is selected and added to the Dissertation Committee to evaluate the Dissertation Defense.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required department courses
CHEM 802	Critical and Creative Thinking for Chemists	1
CHEM 992	Graduate Writing Portfolio	1
CHEM 997	Seminar	1
GRAD 971	Teaching and Learning in Science	3-4
GRAD 990	College Teaching Praxis	3-4
3 Chemistry CORE courses in a sub-discipline recommended by research advisor or MS degree
Quantitative Stats
Choose 1 course from:
PSYC 705	Tests and Measurement	4
PSYC 905	Research Methodology and Statistics I	4
PSYC 906	Research Methodology and Statistics II	4
PSYC 907	Research Methods and Statistics III	4
EDUC 981	Quantitative Inquiry: Methods and Techniques of Educational Research	4
MATH 835	Statistical Methods for Research	3
MATH 839	Applied Regression Analysis	3
Quantitative Stats
Choose 2 courses from:
SOC 794/894	Evaluation Research	4
EDUC #982	Issues and Methods in Ethnographic Research in Education	4
Cognition
Choose 1 course from:
PSYC 783	Cognitive Development	4
PSYC 710	Visual Perception	4
PSYC 712	Psychology of Language	4
PSYC 731	Brain and Behavior	4
PSYC 914	Advanced Seminar in Cognition	4
PSYC 917	Advanced Seminar in Sensory and Perceptual Processes	4

Application Requirements & Deadlines

Apply now

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (final)
Spring: Dec. 1
Summer: N/A
Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work.

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Test Scores: GRE Required

The GRE revised General Test is required; the GRE Chemistry Test is optional, but encouraged. Request official test scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service. Test scores more than five years old are not acceptable. Student copies and photo copies of scores are not considered official. Our CEEB code is 3918.

For general information about test scores required for admission into our programs please visit our Test Scores webpage.

Personal Statement

Prepare a brief but carefully crafted statement that includes: 1) Research experience. State the goals of your previous research and accomplishments to date. Including a list of publications, presentations, and awards within the Experience and Background section of the application is encouraged; however, please do not send actual publications or presentations. 2) Clear reasons why you wish to perform graduate work in chemistry education research. Include your immediate and long-range objectives. 3) Those UNH Chemistry faculty whose research interests you and why. If you do no yet hold a research-based M.S. degree, be sure to include those faculty whose laboratory-based research interests you. 4) Additional information that will enhance the selection committee’s understanding of your personal background and life experiences, including educational (e.g. teaching and leadership experience), cultural, familial, or other opportunities or challenges.

Statements must be included with your submitted application.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.

International Applicants

The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.