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Instructions for Applying

Normally a Bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the M.S. or Ph.D. programs with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Applicants who plan to continue to the Ph.D. should apply to the Ph.D. program, even if they do not yet have a Master’s degree. Students in the Ph.D. program normally complete all the requirements for the M.S. in two years or less and may request the M.S. at that time, while continuing in the Ph.D. program.

For full consideration, applications should be received by January 15th. For international applicants, applications should be received by December 15th.


To submit an online application click here, or go to http://www.temple.edu/grad/admissions/howtoapply.htm and follow the links.

For the Physics Application Instructions please click here.

If you are ready to begin the online application process, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding graduate admissions

Q: Does the graduate program admit students during the Spring semester?

A: Our program typically admits students only in the Fall semester. An exception for admission in the Spring semester can only be considered in exceptional cases and only for students with an excellent physics GRE score.

Q: When is the application deadline?

A: For full consideration applications should be received by January 15th. For international applicants applications should be received by December 15th.

Q: How can I apply?

A: Applications are accepted only online through the web-based application system. In order to read the physics application instructions or to begin the application process please click here.

Q: Will my current scores and grades (GRE, TOEFL, GPA, É) be sufficient for admission to the physics graduate program?

A: There is no absolute requirement on exam scores and grades for admission to our graduate program. The final decision will depend on the scores and the grades of the competing applicants in the pool of each year. Only once the graduate admissions committee has reviewed all the applications will it be possible to make a decision about that. 

Q: Is the physics GRE required?

A: The physics GRE is not required but, on the other hand, it is strongly recommended.

Q: Can my application fee be waived?

A: The application fee can be waived only in exceptional cases:
     i) Demonstrated financial need: students with a demonstrated financial need may apply for a fee waiver.
    ii) Excellent qualifications: students with excellent GRE quantitative and physics GRE scores, or with an excellent GPA can also apply for a fee waiver.
    In order to apply for a fee waiver you will have to do the following:
    1) Email physgrad@temple.edu
    2) In the email Subject you should write: "Application for a fee waiver"
    3) In the email you should clearly explain if you are applying under case (i) demonstrated financial need, or (ii) excellent qualifications. 
            For case (i) you will have to provide an explanation of the situation. 
           For case (ii) you will have to indicate your GRE quantitative and physics GRE scores (both the absolute scores and the percentiles) as well as your GPA, and to attach copies of these scores.

Q: I would like to apply to the physics graduate program but I have some questions about a particular research field and/or a professor. 

A: We encourage you to reach out to the Faculty that you would be interest to work with and ask any questions that you may have. You can find their contact information here.

Q: What are the research programs of the physics department? 

A: The physics department is currently active in many research areas (click here). Potential candidates are strongly encouraged to reach out directly to the physics department faculty members in order to find out more about their research and about the possibility of performing research within their group in the future (click here).

Q: What is the status of my application?

A: Only once the graduate admissions committee has reviewed all the applications will it be possible to make a decision about each case. At that point the graduate admissions committee will very quickly (typically within a few days) inform all the applicants regarding the status of their application. 

Q: I applied but I was not admitted to your graduate program. I would like to apply again next year. Is there something that I can do (i.e. retake some courses, improve some of my grades, etc) so that I will be admitted next time?

A: There is no way that one can answer this question as there are many parameters taken into account for the admission to the graduate program and there is no absolute requirement on exam scores and grades for admission to the graduate program. The final decision and the selection of the successful candidates will depend on the scores and the grades of the competing applicants in the pool of each year. Only once the graduate admissions committee has reviewed all the applications will it be possible to make a decision about that. Nevertheless, we can say that a very strong Physics GRE score will provide a strong basis for acceptance to our graduate program.



Contacts

Graduate Admissions: physgrad@temple.edu
Graduate Program: Prof. John Perdew, Chair of the Graduate Program, perdew@temple.edu

Department of Physics
Temple University
1925 N. 12th Street

SERC, Room 406
Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS


Department of Physics (035-08)
Temple University
1925 N. 12th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122-1801

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