Is the Ph.D. in Paper and Printing Science right for me?
Western is internationally recognized for its outstanding papermaking, coating, fiber recycling and printing pilot plant facilities. Ongoing industrial research partnerships and graduate student internships in industry exist within this program.
What will I study?
Your doctoral work will be specific to you, especially as your work on research. You must complete the general requirements listed below and should consult the course requirements catalog or the advisor for further details.
- 30 hours of course work beyond the master’s degree
- Completion of qualifying examinations
- Full-time enrollment on campus for at least four semesters
- Demonstrate competency in two research tools
- Completion of a teaching practicum
- Completion of a research seminar
- Successfully defend a dissertation
Information you need
Explore research at WMU
Research
When you enroll in the Paper and Printing Science doctoral program at Western, you will be among faculty who are leaders in their fields, conducting research that impacts the world.
WMU co-leading new NSF-funded center dedicated to advancing sustainable packaging
Western Michigan University is taking on a leadership role with the Center for Plastic, Paper and Hybrid Packaging End-of-Life Solutions, which is focused on developing solutions to pressing issues related to the amount of plastic waste and plastic-coated paper waste produced in the United States.
Faculty and students at WMU develop novel and sustainable method for treating pollutants in water
A team of researchers at Western Michigan University's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, including graduate and undergraduate students, have developed a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and efficient method for treating water contaminated with toxic pollutants that can harm both humans and the environment.
Faculty research topics
- Advanced biomaterials
- Cellulose and Nanoncellulose
- Energy Efficiency
- Environmental Remediation
- Heat Transfer
- Hydrogels
- Nanomaterials for electronics
- Paper-based packaging and paper recycling
- Paper Recycling-Biopulping, enzymatic deinking
- Print quality
- Printability analysis
- Printing inks (flexography, rotogravure)
- Pulp and paper manufacturing technologies
- Sustainable Packaging
- Water purification
Funding
A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded through a selective and highly competitive process.
Graduate support at WMU
Admissions information
- Admission decisions will be made by the department doctoral committee.
- All students must meet the general requirements for a doctoral degree specified in the Graduate College Catalog.
Review admissions requirements
International admissions and CPT information
We get it. Applying and filling requirements for a degree in another country is daunting. WMU is here to help and seeks to make the transition as easy as possible for you. Let us know what you need.
