Graduate Application
Please complete the online application to apply for graduate studies.
Additional application instructions, forms, and links to the online application are available at the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions website.
Deadlines for the next Academic Year
Applications are accepted for the fall semester only (e.g., students apply before December 10 for entry the following fall).
| If you are … | Domestic Applicant | International application |
| All Physics Applications | on or BEFORE January 15 each year | on or BEFORE January 15 each year |
| All Astronomy Applications | on or BEFORE January 15 each year | on or BEFORE January 15 each year |
*Financial aid will be limited and extremely difficult to obtain for spring and summer semester, and granting decision will be made to the most qualified students who apply before the deadline.
If you have questions, you may email the relevant Director of Graduate Studies:
- For Astronomy, Dr. Russel White, white@astro.gsu.edu.
- For Physics Dr. Murad Sarsour, msar@phy-astr.gsu.edu.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Physics & Astronomy has the following additional requirements:
- A strong record of coursework and/or experience in a discipline related to the Physics & Astronomy.
- Strong performance on the Graduate Record Examination.
- Students with prior laboratory experience relevant to the Physics & Astronomy will be viewed favorably.
Required Materials
- College of Arts and Sciences Application for Graduate Studies
- $50 processing fee
- Official transcripts (one from each institution attended).
- Official GRE scores (our institution code is 5251; there is no departmental code).
- Three letters of recommendation.
- International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. This may be done by taking the TOEFL or IELTS tests.
- Statement of Purpose: Please provide an autobiographical statement that:
- Summarizes your skills and experiences that are relevant to graduate study in Physics & Astronomy,
- Lists any publications or presentations,
- Describes your research and career objectives, and
- Writing Sample: This can include any science-related paper or abstract you’ve written for a college-level course.
Incomplete Applications
If any piece of required information does not reach us by the appropriate deadline, your application may not be considered. Incomplete applications are not returned to the applicant. It is your responsibility to ensure that all material is received by the Office of Graduate Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, by the deadline. You may not be able to control directly when requested transcripts and GRE scores are mailed, thus it is especially important to request such material well in advance of the deadline.
Georgia State University is an equal educational opportunity institution and, as such, students are admitted and treated without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. The University is in compliance with the regulations for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Financial Policy
The institute expects that graduate students will devote themselves to their studies full time. Accepted Ph.D. students typically receive a stipend and tuition waiver throughout their studies, at a competitive level consistent with their skills and accomplishments. Typically, support involves both research and instructional responsibilities. Students may be eligible to receive funding from other Programs.
Additional information for international applicants
It is recommended that international applicants provide an objective evaluation of their credentials obtained from a credential evaluation service. You can find a list of all of the approved credential evaluation services by going to www.naces.org and clicking on current members. The College of Arts and Sciences accepts evaluations from any of these services.
How to get additional information
Material on our web sites should answer most questions. If you have questions for the Office of Graduate Studies, call 404-413-5041, 8:00-5:00 p.m., Eastern Time. If you have questions, you may email the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Murad Sarsour, msar@phy-astr.gsu.edu (Physics) or Dr. Russel White, white@astro.gsu.edu (Astronomy).