M.S. Degree

Appendix C

The Chemistry Graduate Program does not offer admission to an M.S. track. However, there are limited circumstances in which the M.S. degree may be earned by scholars initially admitted to the Ph.D. program.

The primary resource for scholars interested in learning more about the M.S. degree is Section 3 of the Laney Graduate School Handbook. This chemistry handbook section clarifies chemistry-specific interpretation of this policy.

M.S. Degree On the Basis of Candidacy

Scholars who complete chemistry’s candidacy requirements may apply for the M.S. degree “on the way” to the Ph.D. In accordance with LGS policy, chemistry will not approve the M.S. degree retroactively under any circumstances. Scholars must review the relevant LGS policy and submit all necessary paperwork to LGS as soon as their candidacy application is approved.

M.S. Degree on the Basis of Change of Program

In the event that a scholar (1) chooses to leave the graduate program prior to receiving the Ph.D., OR (2) is advised to leave the graduate program following a failed milestone exam; the scholar may petition the graduate program to request to initiate a change of program and earn the M.S. degree prior to departing Emory.

Once a petition is submitted, the Director of Graduate Studies will schedule a meeting with the scholar to discuss the intended change of program. The petition will not receive a response until after this meeting takes place.

If a change of program to an M.S. track is approved by both the graduate committee and LGS, the Chemistry Graduate Program follows LGS guidelines for degree completion. In most cases, scholars will be expected to complete the degree within one semester of approval. Chemistry will not approve the M.S. degree based on coursework unless a scholar has met all candidacy requirements including JPE 610 workshops; otherwise, a thesis must be submitted. An in-person thesis defense is not required. Additionally, scholars must have completed at least thirty hours of graduate-level coursework before the expected degree conferral date.

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Degree Completion

section IV, article 6-E

The dissertation is the culmination of a scholar’s Emory training. And after it’s over, most new PhDs throw a party! Many of the degree requirements must be completed well ahead of the actual defense, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the procedures starting early in any semester in which you may graduate.

The Laney Graduate School sets the requirements for the completion of the graduate degree. Scholars should familiarize themselves with these requirements. The Graduate Program Coordinator is available to assist scholars in navigating the degree completion procedures but it is the responsibility of the scholar to complete and submit all required documents.

Chemistry-Specific Degree Completion Requirements

  • Scholars must schedule and advertise a public defense.
  • The final and complete dissertation must be submitted for examination to the scholar’s entire committee at least seven days in advance of the scheduled defense.
  • All committee members must be present at the defense.

If any of these chemistry-specific degree requirements are not met, the defense must be rescheduled.

Completion Extensions

If a scholar has not completed the degree at the end of the seventh year, the program may grant a one-year extension. The scholar must submit a petition requesting that the program initiative the extension. The program must submit notice of this extension to the Dean, no later than August 1 of the seventh year (before the eighth year). The notice must contain a completion timeline signed by both the scholar and the dissertation committee chair or co-chairs. Scholars who enroll for this extension year will be responsible for some tuition.

If a scholar has not completed the degree at the end of the eighth year, the scholar may continue work for at most one additional academic year and only with approval from the Dean. To obtain approval, the program must submit a request to the Dean no later than August 1 of the eighth year (before the ninth year). The scholar must submit a petition to initiate this request. The request must:

  • outline the reasons the scholar has not completed
  • consider whether the scholar needs to repeat any part of the qualifications for candidacy or obtain approval of a new dissertation prospectus
  • present a detailed completion timeline signed by both the scholar and the dissertation committee chair or co-chairs. Scholars who enroll for this extension year will be responsible for some tuition.
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Next: Section V: Finance

Candidacy

section III, article 5

Candidacy status is an indication that a doctoral scholar has developed sufficient mastery of a discipline to advance towards the PhD. The scholar will rely on this foundation to produce an original research contribution in their field in the form of the dissertation.

Eligibility

PhD scholars are eligible for candidacy when they have earned at least 54 credit hours at the 500 level or above. All incomplete (I) and In Progress (IP) grades must be resolved. Candidates must be in good standing with the program. Scholars must also complete the following before entering candidacy:

  • Rotations
  • JPE: LGS Ethics course JPE 600 (JPE 610 may be completed after entering candidacy) 
  • Chemistry JPE Requirements
  • Second Year Qualifying Exam
  • TATTO: TATT 600 & TATT 605 (x 2 semesters)
  • Six chemistry courses (or equivalent course release based on transfer coursework) with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.7

Timing

Scholars should enter candidacy as soon as all requirements have been completed. Scholars must reach candidacy by September 15 of their fourth year. Scholars who do not meet this deadline will be placed on academic probation, will not be eligible for PDS funds, and may forfeit financial support. These sanctions will be lifted when the scholar enters candidacy.

How to apply

Scholars enter candidacy by submitting the application to enter candidacy, available on the LGS website. Chemistry will confirm that all program requirements have been met and LGS will confirm that remaining requirements have been met. Scholars are considered “in candidacy” when the Dean has approved the application to enter candidacy.

Eligibility for the MS based on candidacy

Once scholars have completed all candidacy requirements, they are eligible for an M.S. degree “on the way” to the Ph.D. Scholars should review the guidelines in the M.S. Degree appendix. The degree is not awarded automatically and is not the same as a terminal degree (which requires full completion of JPE requirements.) Scholars are responsible for pursuing the degree if they wish.

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Next: IV: Milestones

Fifth Year+ Degree Completion Plan

section III, article 6-D

As research expertise and engagement grows, you may find it difficult to place an emphasis on degree completion. Making a plan facilitates this focus.

A scholar in their fifth year who is not graduating must submit a Timeline for Degree Completion. The plan should be presented as a written timeline to graduation and must be signed by the primary research mentor. The scholar should submit this plan to the Graduate Program Coordinator along with their annual report form by April 30 of the fifth year. A revised plan must be submitted on the last day of classes in any subsequent semester during which the scholar does not graduate.

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Next: Degree Completion

Goals for Graduates

section I, article 3

The James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies at Emory University is committed to education that provides scholars with deep and broad expertise in their chosen fields, creativity to cross disciplinary boundaries, courage to challenge convention, and confidence to ask unexpected questions and articulate bold new perspectives.

Graduates of the PhD program in chemistry should be able to:

  • Pose a research question and formulate an investigative approach using current research methods in chemistry.
  • Conduct and communicate independent, original research in chemistry.
  • Critically evaluate the research literature in chemistry.
  • Communicate concepts and procedures in chemistry effectively — to peers, scholars, the scientific community, the lay public, and granting agencies.
  • Apply your education to careers and, more broadly, to challenges and opportunities in the world around you.
Next: Communication Guidance