Do you want to pursue independent research at the frontiers of knowledge? The ASU Department of Physics hosts leading theoretical and experimental programs with a wide rage of opportunities that will help you grow as a physicist and enable you to make exciting discoveries.
Degree Awarded: PHD
Physics
The PhD program in physics is intended for highly capable students who have the interest and ability to follow a career in independent research. The recent advent of the graduate faculty initiative at ASU extends the spectrum of potential physics doctoral topics and advisors to include highly transdisciplinary projects that draw upon:biochemistrybiologychemistryelectrical engineeringmaterials scienceother related fieldsConsequently, students and doctoral advisors can craft novel doctoral projects that transcend the classical palette of physics subjects. Transdisciplinary expertise of this nature is increasingly vital to modern science and technology. Current areas of particular emphasis within the department include:biological physicscosmologyelectron diffraction and imagingnanoscale and materials physicsparticle physics and astrophysicsThe department has more than 90 doctoral students and more than 40 faculty members.
September 2025
Arizona State University
Tempe Campus,
1151 S. Forest Ave.,
TEMPE,
Arizona,
85281, United States
To be admitted to ASU, you must have earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor鈥檚 degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.
Competitive applicants typically have a 鈥淏鈥� (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your application may still be considered by the department.
English language proficiency requirements
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Score of at least 80 on the TOEFL iBT
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Overall band score of the academic test of at least 6.5
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Score of at least 60
Duolingo English test: Graduate minimum score of 105
