Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Our Ph.D. program seeks to provide cutting-edge training in chemical engineering research areas including biotechnology, catalysis, electrochemistry, energy and the environment, polymers, and separations. Students experience close interaction with faculty members, work in excellent research facilities, and participate in multidisciplinary research centers across Grounds.

Nearly 90% of the roughly 70 students in our graduate program are pursuing a Ph.D. All students accepted into our doctoral program may expect to receive financial support as long as they maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Admissions Process for the Graduate Program

Prospective graduate students apply to the chemical engineering graduate program online through the University of Virginia. Generally, graduate students are admitted and begin their studies during the fall semester. Admission to the department is highly competitive, and applications are thoroughly and carefully reviewed to identify tenacious and curious applicants with research interests and goals that align with department research activities and who have demonstrated excellence in prior academic, research, and leadership activities.

Online Application for U.S. Citizens and International Students

Special instructions and information for international applicants

Deadlines (for fall semester admission)

  • U.S. Citizens: January 15 (for financial aid consideration) or August 1
  • International Applicants: January 15 (for financial aid consideration) or April 1

IMPORTANT! Students seeking financial assistance for fall semester admission should complete their application by January 15. Applications received after this date may be considered, but financial aid may no longer be available.

GRE Scores: The Department of Chemical Engineering no longer receives or reviews GRE scores.

For department-specific graduate admissions questions, please contact: cheadmis@virginia.edu

The dissertation proposal should be completed within two years of completing the research exam (doctoral qualifying exam). The proposal should indicate the purpose and objectives of the work to be undertaken, the current state of the art with bibliography, and the strategy to be followed and techniques to be employed in the research. Preliminary data, calculations, and/or theoretical developments may be included in support of the proposed work. The proposal will be presented orally and discussed publicly. The doctoral advisory committee will serve as the dissertation proposal exam committee.

If in the judgment of the advisory committee the student's proposal is not satisfactory, the student may be required to submit a revised proposal for further discussion with the advisory committee.

The purposes of the dissertation proposal are:

  1. To determine if the student's knowledge of the area chosen for research and the pertinent literature is adequate
  2. To determine whether the proposed work, if completed, would provide the basis for an acceptable dissertation
  3. To advise the student on general approaches and specific techniques that may be helpful in the proposed research

Ph.D. Job Placement Following Graduation

Employers of UVA Chemical Engineering Ph.D. Graduates Include:

  • Bucknell University
  • Florida State University
  • University of Wyoming
  • Michigan Tech
  • Penn State University
  • Purdue University
  • University of Florida
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Tennessee
  • China University of Petroleum
  • Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

  • DowDuPont
  • ExxonMobil
  • General Electric
  • General Motors
  • Intel
  • Shell
  • United Technologies
  • Syngenta
  • UOP
  • Amgen
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Centocor
  • Genentech
  • Genzyme
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • MedImmune
  • Merck
  • Pfizer
  • MeadWestVaCo
  • Klöckner-Pentaplast
  • Argonne National Lab
  • SABIC

The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only.  The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here.