Chemical Engineering, PhD
Advance the future of chemical innovation as you conduct original research and engage in scholarly exploration. In this rigorous program, you'll gain expertise, reimagine chemical systems, mentor future innovators, and contribute fundamental knowledge to a field that shapes how we understand and use matter.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
The chemical engineering faculty offer you a graduate program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering.
In the program, you have the opportunity to explore research emphases that include atmospheric aerosols, biomolecular engineering, biosensors, chemical therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, electrochemistry, electronic materials processing, engineering education, flexible display technology, fuel cells, inorganic membranes, process design and operations, protein synthesis, transport phenomena in living systems and water purification.
A graduate handbook detailing information on graduate studies in chemical engineering is available on the school's website. For additional details, you should contact the graduate advising office in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (9 credit hours) Technical Electives (18 credit hours) Other Requirements (5 credit hours) Research (12 credit hours) Additional Research or Electives (28 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
CHE 533 Transport Processes I (3)
CHE 543 Thermodynamics of Chemical Systems (3)
CHE 544 Chemical Reactor Engineering (3)
CHE 591 Seminar (5)
CHE 792 Research (12)
CHE 799 Dissertation (12)
Technical electives are selected from within or outside the chemical engineering program.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts of thermodynamics in the field and how to apply those concepts in their Ph.D. research.
- Write creative engineering documents that show an understanding of their experimental research and appropriately records and analyzes their results.
- Construct a research plan that provides detailed experimental procedures and provides a novel research approach.
Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts of thermodynamics in the field and how to apply those concepts in their Ph.D. research.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English is required to achieve a minimum score of 5, or 100 (taken at at testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026, on the TOEFL iBT® exam regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 08/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Professionals with a chemical engineering doctoral degree have strong opportunities at all levels in research, design and manufacturing at companies of all sizes; at national laboratories (Department of Energy, Department of Defense, NASA); and in academics. Analytical skills learned in chemical engineering are also valued in nonengineering positions.
Career examples include:
- engineer
- engineering manager or director
- engineering professor
- lecturer
- process engineer
- research engineer
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Chemical Engineering Program
|
USE 138
semtegrad@asu.edu
480-965-2335
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
