Graduate Programs
Ph.D., M.S., and M.E. degrees in Chemical Engineering
We are here to help you get to the pinnacle of research, learning side-by-side from world-renowned experts. Our Chemical and Biological Engineering graduate program gives you the broad skills you need for your future as a researcher, entrepreneur, and leader in engineering, academia, and industry.
Interested in our Graduate Programs?
Tell us about yourself!
Take a moment to tell us about yourself and your interests, and we’ll pass your inquiry on to the appropriate academic department.
Get all of the details of our Ph.D., M.S.,
and M.E. program requirements here
- CBE Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)
- Graduate School Student Handbook
- Graduate Student Resources
- GRE scores are no longer required.
Ask the Graduate Advisor
Do you have a question that's not in our FAQ below? Our graduate advisor is happy to help!
Email Joshua Chan.
Our Masters of Biomanufacturing and Biotechnology prepares students with science, engineering, and business skills necessary to excel in careers in biomanufacturing and biotechnology
Admissions Requirements
Graduate students in the department receive a high quality education with exciting opportunities for research and collaboration. The department welcomes both domestic and international applications from well-qualified students.
Competitive applicants will have:
An undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related engineering or science discipline.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.5/4.0 or higher is preferred.
Applicants with a GPA between 3.0/4.0 and 3.5/4.0 can also be considered for admission. A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 is required by the Graduate School.
GRE scores are no longer required.
Application requirements
Inquiries about the graduate program may be directed to Graduate Adviser
Apply now
All applications to the graduate program must be made online through the graduate school website.
Check your application status
All applications to the graduate program must be made online through the graduate school website.
All application materials must be received by the following dates
Fall semester:
January 15
Spring semester:
September 15
After submitting your online application and paying your application fee, begin submitting your supporting materials to complete your application.
Upload a variety of supporting documents directly to your application.
To submit official transcripts:
Contact your previous institutions to request they submit official transcripts to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075).
To submit test scores:
Contact the testing agency to request that scores be sent to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075).
For any documents that cannot be uploaded:
Submit paper copies directly to the Office of Admissions at:
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
English language proficiency requirements for international applicants
Students are exempted from demonstrating English language proficiency if the official language of their country is English or if they have recently earned a degree at an American university.
For all other international applicants to graduate programs, Colorado State University requires that proficiency in English language be demonstrated either by the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic tests prior to admissions.
Official scores, taken within two years prior to admission, must be submitted directly from the testing agency.
TOEFL:550/80
The minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 550 (paper -based), or 80 (internet-based).
IELTS: 6.5
The minimum IELTS score for admission without condition is 6.5.
PTE: 58
The minimum PTE Academic score for admission without condition is 58.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree programs are available?
We offer Ph.D., M.S., and M.E. degrees in Chemical Engineering.
- The Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree is the highest academic degree offered by the University.
- Both the Ph.D. and the M.S. (Master of Science) degrees involve coursework and research components.
- Students in these degree programs produce a research document (e.g. dissertation or thesis).
- The M.E. (Master of Engineering) is a coursework-only degree, requiring 30 credit hours of coursework. No research or thesis are required for the M.E. degree.
I am interested in a Ph.D., but I don’t have a Master’s degree. Which degree program should I apply to?
Students who are interested in ultimately earning a Ph.D. degree should apply to the Ph.D. degree program. Many students are admitted to (and later graduate from) the Ph.D. program without a Master’s degree. Others are admitted to the Ph.D. program, and earn an M.S. degree at CSU while working towards their goal of obtaining a Ph.D.
Since we admit only the number of students corresponding to the funded positions we have available, highly qualified students who desire a Ph.D. but apply to the M.S. program might be overlooked when we evaluate our Ph.D. applicants for those positions.
Do you admit international students?
We do admit international applicants to all of our graduate degree programs. Applicants from international students are reviewed in the same process as applicants from domestic students. We have no quotas for admission of either international or domestic students.
What are the minimum requirements (e.g. GRE, GPA, undergraduate degree, etc.) for admission?
Each semester, the Department admits the best qualified applicants whose interests and backgrounds match the particular positions that are available at the time. For this reason, we do not guarantee admission to applicants with specific minimum qualifications.
Highly motivated students with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than chemical engineering are occasionally admitted to our graduate programs. These applicants often require some additional prerequisites to prepare for our graduate courses. Please email the graduate adviser for more information before applying.
How do I apply?
Please see the Admissions Requirements link at the right. To be considered for admission, applicants must formally apply to a degree program through the Graduate School, and send required materials to the Department. Application deadlines are listed at the bottom of the page.
Please do not request that faculty members review your qualifications before applying, as we cannot consider applicants who do not apply to the University, nor can faculty offer their evaluations of applicants’ potential outside of our formal application and admission process.
How are graduate students supported?
Applicants admitted to the Ph.D. program are supported with a competitive stipend and full tuition. Some applicants may also be funded by their own fellowships or research awards. Some M.S. applicants may be offered support if positions are available; other M.S. and M.E. students are self-supported.
When will I find out whether I have been admitted?
All applications received by the deadline (see below) are evaluated shortly after the deadline. However, available funding for new students might not be clear at that time. The Department usually begins making offers of admission within two weeks of the application deadline. Some well-qualified applicants may receive offers as late as several weeks following the application deadline as positions become available.
If you are waiting to hear from the Department and you have other offers you are considering, feel free to email the Graduate Adviser requesting an update of the status of your application.
Can I visit the Department?
If you are planning to be in the Northern Colorado area and would like to schedule a visit, contact the Graduate Adviser by email to make arrangements. Students in the U.S. who are admitted usually will receive an invitation to visit the Department, but all applicants are welcome to visit.
What are the Application Deadlines?
All application materials must be received by the following dates:
- Fall semester: January 15
- Spring semester: September 15
Inquiries about the graduate program may be directed to Graduate Adviser
Still have questions? Ask the Graduate Advisor
Do you have a question that's not in our FAQ? Our graduate advisor is happy to help!
Email Joshua Chan (joshua.chan@colostate.edu).