Department of Physics

Admissions | Physics MA/MS

Our master's programs are designed to further your development as a professional physicist. We offer graduate courses in classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical mechanics, physics of condensed matter, atmospheric physics, and biophysics. Research opportunities include materials physics and nanotechnology, biomedical and biophysics, climate science, physics education, and theory. We collaborate with PSU's engineering departments and local industry partners.

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member(s) whose interests match the student's academic and professional interests before completing their application. The faculty page of our website includes descriptions of each faculty member's research and teaching interests. For help identifying potential faculty advisors, please contact our graduate faculty advisors.

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Admissions Requirements

  • Meet PSU's minimum requirements
  • The following minimum undergraduate preparation in physics is assumed, with sample textbook authors and PSU course equivalencies: 
    • Resnick and Halliday, Fundamentals of Physics (PH 211-216); 
    • Tipler, Modern Physics (PH 311-312); 
    • Fowles, Analytical Mechanics (PH 424); 
    • Hecht, Modern Optics (PH 464); 
    • Reif, Statistical Physics (PH 426); 
    • Griffiths, Intro to Electrodynamics (PH 431-432). 
    • If a student is lacking in this preparation, they are urged to complete those courses prior to applying to PSU.

Deadlines

This program only admits students once a year for fall term.

  • January 15

All letters of recommendation and required materials must be received by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Application Materials

Below is the list of the information and materials you will need to provide as part of your application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

  • Potential Advisor: Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the faculty member(s) whose interests match the student's academic and professional interests before completing their application. For help identifying potential faculty advisors, please contact our graduate faculty advisors.  
  • Statement of Purpose: A statement of purpose describing your past work in the intended field of study, your plans for graduate study, your career goals, and any additional information you would like the graduate selection committee to consider. Students can increase their likelihood of being admitted by specifically addressing the following criteria:
    • Academic preparedness 
    • Creativity and innovation
    • Research experience
    • Leadership and work experience
    • Long-term goals and commitment
    • Contributions to diversity
    • Outreach and inclusion
    • Resilience and adaptability
  • Research Interest: A statement of the nature of your interest in the area of research and the connections with the work of the faculty in the department. Include specific research fields. You will be asked to include names of PSU faculty members who you would like to do research with.
  • References: Submit contact information for at least two references who can comment on your academic performance or attest to your skills as they pertain to your selected program of study. Portland State will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.
  • Copies of transcripts from each college or university attended
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
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Holistic Review

PSU Physics evaluates applicants using holistic review, which is an evidence-based approach to identify people that are likely to be successful in physics and applied physics graduate school curriculum and research. Students can increase their likelihood of being admitted by specifically addressing the following criteria in their application essay. Criteria considered include:

  • Academic preparedness
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Research experience
  • Leadership and work experience
  • Long-term goals and commitment
  • Contributions to diversity
  • Outreach and inclusion
  • Resilience and adaptability

Diversity

Portland State Physics is committed to the university's mission of diversity and equality in higher education and will evaluate each applicant's potential to contribute to diversity in our program and field. Applicants can reflect their leadership in diversity in the Statement of Purpose portion of the application. 

Contact

If you have questions during the application process, please contact the Physics Department office at physics@pdx.edu.