Graduate Students

Graduate students are the lifeline of Team Science

Graduate students are invaluable to our scientific research enterprise and to our teaching mission in the College of Science. We're proud of the outstanding next generation of scientists that we recruit and train.

We look forward to welcoming you as you pursue your passion in your field of interest. Your first step in the graduate admissions process is to identify the field that best fits your academic and professional goals. Next, find faculty with whom you wish to study. You can find detailed information on departmental or professors’ websites. Students interested in Ph.D. and research master’s programs often find it helpful to explore specific professors' research interests.

Ready to join us and transform the world through science?

Why get a graduate degree?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), your wages tend to improve with every level of education you complete. Among workers age 25 and over, those holding a master's degree earn an average of $1,840 per week (about $300 more per week than those with just a bachelor's degree). Having a Ph.D. increases your earning potential even more — workers with doctoral degrees report a median weekly wage of $2,363.

Another reason why graduate degrees pay off: BLS data also shows that more education means less unemployment. In 2024, people without a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rate (6.2 percent) among those at all education levels, with unemployment rates decreasing as education increased.

And jobs that require a graduate degree are projected to grow over the next 10 years. The BLS projects that between 2024 and 2034, entry-level employment requiring a master's degree will grow by more than 10 percent. For doctoral degrees, the projected growth is 5.6 percent.

Moreover, many specialized and high-demand professions require advanced degrees, making graduate education essential for those seeking to excel in fields such as healthcare, engineering, and academia. It's a strategic investment that can enhance your professional prospects and financial stability.

Not only does a graduate program provide you with deep expertise in your chosen field, it also gives you a strong skill set in key areas, including teamwork, communications, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, computational skills, leadership and research. These all build confidence, allowing you to explore possibilities and find the best solution to a problem.

Finding the right faculty mentor

Your success as a graduate student in science just may depend on it.

Once you find the field that best fits your academic and professional goals, it can be useful to explore the research interests of specific professors. Graduate advisors serve as supervisors and mentors who not only oversee your research and writing, help you obtain funding, provide feedback on papers and talks and offer career advice.

Meet some graduate students!

Graduate certificate programs

Graduate certificates offer a quick way to master trending topics in science industries. Depending on the industry and desired career path, graduate certificates can give you the advanced education you need while enhancing your credentials and career opportunities without obtaining a master's degree.

When a master's degree isn't the right option for you, a graduate certificate can still equip you with foundational knowledge and skills in a particular field in science. Whether you're adapting to a changing work environment, validating your skillset or deepening your knowledge in a field of interest to make you a more competitive candidate in the workforce, there are many instances in which earning a graduate certificate offers key benefits.

Graduate certificates are the fastest-growing credential in higher education because they offer you a quick and inexpensive way to add skills to your resume. They can also be a more targeted alternative to a master’s degree. In the end, with a certificate, you will showcase to employers the knowledge and experience you gained in a specific field of study.

Eligibility

To learn about any additional admissions requirements for specific graduate certificate programs, check with the academic department in which the graduate certificate is housed.

Data analytics graduate certificate

In addition to a data analytics M.S. degree program via OSU's Ecampus, the College of Science offers an online graduate certificate in data analytics, one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation. The demand for professionals who can interpret large quantities of data has never been greater, and these skills are vital for scientific advances and business success worldwide. Whether you're an experienced analytics professional or looking to become one, you can chart your career path by earning a graduate certificate in data analytics online.