Admissions

Graduate admissions

IMPORTANT APPLICATION UPDATE – PLEASE READ THIS IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING APPLYING TO OUR ASTRONOMY PH.D. PROGRAM FOR FALL 2021 ADMISSIONS

Budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted our University, College, and Department markedly. To ensure that we can meet our promise to support all students through to graduation, we will only consider Astronomy Ph.D. applicants (for Fall 2021) that are interested and suited to work in these two specific research areas (see descriptions below). If you are interested in these research areas, please consider applying! Preference will be given to those with academic and research successes in these areas. Note that applicants for the Physics Ph.D. program will continue as a normal, open solicitation. If you’d like more information about either program, please get in touch with the respective graduate director.

1. Magnetohydrodynamics, turbulence, and astrophysical plasmas. New PhD projects will focus on theory and simulation of the interstellar medium using both local and global simulations. These projects will use new computer systems at Georgia State University, as well as national supercomputers.

2. Solar physics and space weather forecasting. New PhD projects will focus on utilizing databases of space weather events and developing machine learning approaches for predicting solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and solar energetic particle events based on their observable properties. This work is conducted in an interdisciplinary cluster with the GSU computer science department and under contract with the Space Radiation Analysis Group at NASA/JSC to assist NASA’s Artemis program.

Application process

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. Applications are accepted for the fall semester only. The deadline is 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, please email the relevant Director of Graduate Studies: For Astronomy, Dr. Russel White, white [at] astro.gsu.edu. For Physics Dr. Murad Sarsour, msar [at] 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 related discipline, Students with prior relevant laboratory experience 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). 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 relevant skills and experiences, Lists any publications or presentations, Describes your research and career objectives. (Optional) Writing Sample: such as a science-related paper or abstract you’ve written for a college-level course. Subject GRE scores are neither required nor used in the applicant evaluation process. The Astronomy PhD also neither requires nor uses General GRE scores in the evaluation process. Applicants to the Physics PhD are required to submit General GRE scores.

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 [at] phy-astr.gsu.edu (Physics) or Dr. Russel White,  white [at] astro.gsu.edu (Astronomy).