The graduate program in Physics at Utah State University is the home to 35-40 graduate students actively involved in our research and teaching mission as they pursue MS or PhD degrees. The average time to PhD in Physics at USU is around 5-6 years. Graduate student research in our department spans a wide variety of disciplines within physics, including astrophysics, gravitational theory, atmospheric and space physics, surface and materials physics, and ultra-fast laser spectroscopy.
MS degree recipients in physics are generally employed by industrial or government laboratories as either physicists or engineers. Some are hired as teachers by high schools and by two-year colleges. Holders of the PhD in physics will generally be hired as research and development physicists by industrial or government laboratories and as professors in universities (though this may require additional postdoctoral research experience). All of our recent graduates have found employment commensurate with their career goals and abilities.
All of our PhD students are supported with graduate school tuition waivers, graduate student health insurance, and a monthly stipend for work performed as Teaching Assistants in our instructional activities or Research Assistants in our research groups.
Applying to Graduate School in Physics at USU
To guarantee full consideration for Fall admission, your application should be received no later than 15 January of that same year. Acceptance notifications are generally made in early spring. Applicants for the graduate program must submit results from the General GRE. Applicants for the Ph.D. program must also submit results from the Physics Subject GRE.
Apply for Graduate Studies in Physics
Physics Department -- Masters Handbook
Physics Department -- PhD Handbook
USU School of Graduate Studies
USU-Physics, Current Graduate Students
Application for Qualification (PDF)
Intent for Candidacy Exam (PDF)
Forms for the School of Graduate Studies