Graduate Frequently Asked Questions

The four master’s programs offer a wide variety of options, the Master in Textiles options are both more oriented towards manufacturing, product management and design. It offers a wide variety covering these fields meeting the needs of students with an interest in design, management and technical production. The M.S. Textile Chemistry (TC) and M.S. Textile Engineering (TE) are both oriented towards more basic scientific concepts and principles behind polymer, fiber-based and textile materials and products. These degrees require a strong background in either chemistry (TC) or science/engineering (TE). Below is a list of requirements for students with non-textile backgrounds. 

There is some overlap between the departments and the programs and the directors of graduate programs will work with you to determine which program would be the best fit for your ambitions.

Textiles:

Graduate degree options: Pursue the M.S. in Textiles (thesis) or the Master of Textiles (non-thesis) and develop your potential for research and your technical and analytical skills. The non-thesis option can be completed entirely online. 

Focus areas: fashion and textile design, retail and brand management, textile technology, textile management

Textile Chemistry/Textile Engineering:

Graduate degree options for M.S. Textile Chemistry or M.S. Textile Engineering, both available in thesis and non-thesis options: Develop your potential for research and your technical and analytical skills. The non-thesis option for textile chemistry can be completed entirely online. 

Focus areas: dyeing and finishing chemistry, forensic and analytical chemistry, polymer science, sustainability, smart fibers and textiles, human health, comfort and protection, nonwovens, product development, technical textiles and related areas

M.S. TC and M.S. TE both have a thesis and non-thesis option. When interested in a career in research and/or a Ph.D. it may be advisable to plan on doing a thesis. Some larger companies may also prefer students with a thesis. Everyone’s path is different though and there are some exceptions to these broad rules. Your advisor will work with you to determine what the best choice will be for you. 

All students are expected to start in the “non-thesis” program. The reason for this is mostly administrative; to avoid some potentially significant problems for students when unforeseen circumstances arrive, such as we have seen with COVID. When you have started in our program, found a research topic with an advisor and you are ready to work on your thesis you can then very easily switch to the thesis M.S. TC or TE degree and it will not cost you anything. The first one or two semesters are almost always the same anyway and usually students decide on doing a thesis late 2nd or early 3rd semester. Many students express an interest in the thesis M.S. TE degree and if that is your wish we will certainly make sure that happens. We are always committed to supporting our students in their ambitions, and promise you we’ll support you towards that goal as well as we can.

Successful applicants for the M.S. Textile Engineering and M.S. Textile Chemistry will have a science or engineering background. 

• Those pursuing textile engineering should have an undergraduate engineering degree or demonstrated proficiency in the appropriate calculus-based sciences and core technical competencies (courses listed below). If these requirements are not met, additional coursework may be required prior to admission into the program; provisional admission can also be granted depending on the courses already taken. 
• Those pursuing textile chemistry should have an undergraduate degree in chemistry, textiles or an equivalent degree with demonstrated proficiency in the appropriate calculus-based math and core chemistry competencies (courses listed below). If these requirements are not met, additional coursework may be required prior to admission into the program; provisional admission can also be granted depending on the courses already taken. 
• If you do not have these specific STEM backgrounds but still want to pursue a textile-related degree, please also check out the M.S. Textiles or the Master of Textiles. The admissions requirements for these programs include that students should have 20 credit hours in mathematics and natural sciences in their undergraduate degree, but the courses are non-specific. Degrees must be obtained from a four-year, accredited university. Graduate transfer credits can only be from other U.S. universities, and must be approved by the student’s graduate committee. Certificates and diplomas are not recognized as undergraduate degrees.

In general, the admissions committee looks for the following — and note that if you meet most, but not all, of the above courses for your intended degree program, the admissions committee can still recommend provisional admission until the other course(s) are completed, or even waive them based on your other background. If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, please reach out to the director of graduate programs.

Textile Chemistry	Textile Engineering
Calc I, II, III (12 cr) Physics I, II (calculus-based preferred) (8 cr) Gen Chem (4 cr) Organic I, II (8 cr)  PChem I (3 cr) At least 1 additional advanced chemistry course (Pchem II, Analytical Chem, Biochem) (3+ cr)	Calc I, II, III (12 cr) Physics I, II (calculus-based) (8 cr)  Gen Chem (4 cr) At least 1 advanced engineering course, such as statics (3 cr)At least 3 additional STEM courses (engineering/technology/statistics preferred) (9+ cr)
For NC State undergraduates: MA 141, 241, 242 PY 205/206, 208/209  CH 101/102CH 221/222, 223/224  CH 431, CH 432, PCC 442, or TE 303 An additional advanced chemistry course	For NC State undergraduates: MA 141, 241, 242  PY 205/206, 208/209  CH 101/102  At least 1 advanced engineering course (3 cr) At least 3 additional STEM courses (engineering/technology preferred) (9+ cr)

If you plan to enter the Ph.D. program in fiber and polymer science (FPS) or textile technology management (TTM) after graduating with your M.S. degree, you may want to consider enrolling in the courses for these program(s), as these courses can also count toward your M.S. degree. These courses are offered every year and of course may be taken in later years. Up to 30 credit hours of your M.S. degree can be applied to the Ph.D. program if there was no break in residence, as long as those credits meet both program requirements.

More information on FPS Ph.D.

More information on TTM Ph.D.

The following procedure for moving from M.S. to Ph.D. was developed by the Wilson College of Textiles director of doctoral graduate programs. 

If you are near completion of the M.S. degree (final semester):

• Thesis M.S. students: Once the thesis is written and shortly before the M.S. thesis defense, the student may request a “change of degree” from M.S. to Ph.D. in a related area (M.S. TC or M.S. TE to FPS Ph.D., M.S. TE to TTM Ph.D., if appropriate other degree combinations). See also point below.
• Non-thesis M.S. students: During the last two or three months of the semester in which the student will complete the non-thesis M.S. program, the student may request a “change of degree” from M.S. to Ph.D. in a related area (M.S. TC or M.S. TE to FPS Ph.D., M.S. TE to TTM Ph.D., if appropriate other degrees.)  See also point below.
• For both thesis and non-thesis M.S. students: The student’s advisor (research or independent study) must also send both the master’s level and doctoral level DGPs an email stating why he/she believes that the student will be successful as a Ph.D. candidate. The DGPs will evaluate the student’s request and performance at NC State in making their decision. If approved, fill out this form and give it to the graduate services coordinator who will get the appropriate signatures. 

If you have more than one semester before completing the M.S. degree: The change of degree must be initiated by the faculty advisor. The advisor must state why they believe it is in the student’s best interest to change degree programs. The reasons may include funding or contract limitations as well as other considerations. The DGPs will evaluate the student’s transcript, any publications, university application package, and the advisor’s letter in their analysis in the same manner as for any other applicant to the Ph.D. degree. If approved, the DGPs will request that the student enter a change of degree form. The DGPs may request the student indicate an “M.S. en route” on change of degree form if they deem this to be appropriate and in the student’s best interest.

If you are in your first semester of the M.S. program: The university requires a student to complete at least one semester in the program in which they were admitted, therefore no change of degree can approved during the first semester.

NOTE: Only the faculty advisor can appeal the decision made by DGPs.