Department of Physics

How to Apply

The evaluation process for entering candidates takes place primarily in early spring. The application deadline is March 1, to provide us sufficient time to select, contact and admit our entering class in a timely fashion. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Since the admission process is unpredictable, we accept new applications throughout the spring, but we cannot guarantee a fixed time for when the program will be filled.

The “paperwork” for the entire application to our department is handled by the Graduate College.

To apply:

  1. Go to the Graduate College's admissions page.
  2. Create an identification.
  3. Select the physics Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Natural Science or Professional Science Master's program.
  4. Fill out both the general and supplemental applications.

Application Requirements

For professional degrees (MNS and PSM), please see their respective pages for their specific degree requirements. Application requirements for the PhD degree in the department are:

  1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (verbal, quantitative, writing).*
  2. Graduate Record Examination physics subject exam scores.**
  3. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, or equivalent) score for non-native English speakers.*
  4. Statement of purpose.
  5. Complete transcripts.
  6. Three letters of recommendation.

Items one through four above can be entered on the Graduate College online application (please request the examination agencies to send official scores for one through three to the Graduate College using school code 4007 and department code 99).**

** Note, item two is not required for applicants to the Master of Natural Science degree program nor the PSM program.

Item five should be sent in sealed envelopes to the Graduate College directly from your institution.

Official transcripts should be sent to:

Arizona State University
Graduate Enrollment Services
Interdisciplinary Building, B-Wing, Room 170
P.O. Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003

Most doctoral applications are for the fall semester, but we also evaluate applications for spring admission. Applicants who wish to be considered for spring admission should have their applications completed by September 1. We typically make final decisions for spring admissions by October 15. All other applications are automatically forwarded to the evaluation for the following fall. The MNS degree for inservice teachers is a summers-only program.

Typical Application Process for Fall Semester Entry into the Physics Graduate Program*

Anytime Contact individual faculty members with specific questions about research possibilities.
October - early December Request that official transcripts and GRE scores be sent directly to ASU. Due to the timing of the physics GRE, you may need to submit your scores after the application deadlines listed. Your application will be reviewed without GRE physics scores, but the department reserves the right to withhold a final decision until these scores are received. International students must request TOEFL scores be sent directly to ASU.
Late November or early December Begin the online graduate application. The primary contact for administrative questions is the graduate coordinator. If necessary, also contact the graduate program director.
January E-mail the graduate coordinator to verify that letters of recommendation have been received by ASU. Follow up with writers of those letters as required.
March 1st Application deadline: All materials must be received by this date for the application to be considered.
March Physics faculty and graduate program committee evaluate all complete files. Incomplete files cannot be reviewed. Acceptance is generally contingent upon approval by the full graduate program committee.
April Accepted students receive letters from both the Graduate College and the physics department. International students should immediately apply for the necessary visas. Students who are declined admission will be notified shortly after April 1. These students can request that their files remain active for up to one year. To do so, they must submit a formal letter asking explicitly that their file be forwarded to the subsequent application period. Files of students who were not accepted or could not be evaluated in the March 1st evaluations may be reconsidered or evaluated in April.
August The fall semester begins in August. Entering graduate students should arrive on campus at least one week before classes begin, since mandatory college and department orientation programs take place during that week. An information email will be sent in July with details on the schedule of these activities.

* For entry into the program in the spring semester, shift all dates by six months.