Graduate Program
Prospective Student Information
Welcome! We are glad you are considering Missouri's Department of Chemistry for graduate work.
For information about admissions to the program, see Admissions.
For information about support for graduate students, see Support.
English Proficiency Requirement
The State of Missouri has a law that makes graduate students from non-English speaking countries (i.e., those in which primary and secondary education is not taught in English) ineligible to serve as a teaching assistant until they have demonstrated English speaking proficiency. At the University of Missouri, this means students from outside the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and a few others cannot serve as a Teaching Assistant until they have passed the English Speak test given through the Program for Excellence in Teaching (PET). A score of 2 on the English Speak test makes one eligible to teach only lab courses (i.e., no recitation section). A score of 3 or higher on the English Speak test makes one eligible to teach lab and recitation sections.
The English Proficiency Requirement essentially states that all graduate students must score a 3 or higher on the English Speak test through the Program for Excellence no later than the end of their second year in our graduate program to remain eligible for Chemistry Department Teaching Assistantship support. The details are given below.
All new students from non-English speaking countries that are admitted into our graduate program will be made stipend offers for one year assuming satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree. The stipend offers require the new students to help with the Undergraduate Teaching Program (50% FTE). To be considered for Chemistry Department support in their second year, the student must pass the English Speak test through PET at a level 2 or higher. If the student passes at a level 3 or higher, he/she is eligible to teach recitation and lab. To be considered for Chemistry Department Teaching support beyond the second year (3rd year and further on), the student must pass the English Speak test through PET at a level of 3 or higher.
Note: The above requirements for TA eligibility do not affect Research Assistantships (RA), since RA positions are with a particular faculty adviser. However, if a student is on a Research Assistantship in his/her 2nd or 3rd year and then requests Chemistry Department TA support for later years, the above eligibility requirements are in effect. If the student is not at a level 3 or higher on the English Speak test in his/her 3rd year, then he/she is not eligible for TA support.
Additional English Proficiency classes are offered through the Program for Excellence in Teaching (PET). If a student receives a score of less than 3 on the English Speak Test, the PET staff will recommend classes to help improve the student’s English proficiency. Some of the classes are listed below.
Intensive English Program (IEP): Designed for students who need to work on all aspects of English. This is an intensive 25-hour per week course.
English Language Support Program courses:
ELSP 001: Grammar and Composition I
ELSP 002: Reading and Vocabulary
ELSP 003: Grammar and Composition II
ELSP 004: Oral Communication
EL 4302:
Tools for Teaching American Students
Teaching (designed for students with low to mid level 2)
EL 4303:
Communication and Culture for American College Teaching
(designed for students with at least a 2)
EL 9437: Instructional and Communication Strategies for Effective College Teaching
(designed for students with at least a 3)
Note: The PET courses are by approval by the PET staff only. For more information on the PET program, see the PET web site.