Astrophysics, PhD
Collaborate with professional faculty on funded space missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and SPARCS, and tap flagship facilities including the Giant Magellan Telescope and ALMA. Graduate with in-demand skills in Python, numerical modeling and instrument building.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Astrophysics PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in astrophysics develops your creative scholarship and prepares you for professional careers in astrophysics, astronomy or related fields.
In this program, you take graduate-level courses in stars and interstellar media, galaxies and cosmology; obtain quantitative skills through analysis and modeling; and conduct independent, fundamental astrophysical research. In addition, you may have observing opportunities through regional and international telescope observatories. You work closely with a research advisor on a wide variety of topics, including theoretical physics, cosmology, galaxy dynamics, stellar evolution, exoplanets, and the development and building of instrumentation.
As a graduate student in astrophysics, you become a leader in observational and theoretical research. You participate in NASA- and National Science Foundation-funded space missions and study topics such as how stars are born and die, how galaxies interact and evolve, and how the universe changed as it developed from its earliest beginnings.
The program's world-class faculty have research expertise across the full breadth of astrophysics, including the solar system, stars and galaxies from the Milky Way to the most distant galaxies in the universe. Current ASU research applies both computational and observational approaches to the exploration of a variety of topics, such as fundamental cosmology and whether there is life on exoplanets.
Why earn your astrophysics PhD at ASU?
ASU is home to the School of Earth and Space Exploration, a single school that brings astrophysicists, planetary scientists, engineers and instrument builders together under one roof.
ASU has direct involvement in JWST, SPHEREx, the Simons Observatory, ALMA, CMB-S4, HERA, and Hubble and Chandra data. SESE faculty analyze data from missions, build instruments and lead science teams.
Additional details
The School of Earth and Space Exploration anchors a tight-knit graduate community based largely in the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 on the Tempe campus, which also houses the Marston Exploration Theater and public-outreach space.
As a graduate student, you take part in the weekly SESE colloquium and astrophysics seminar, present your work at research symposia and join science-communication events.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (1 credit hour) Electives or Research (53 credit hours) Other Requirements: Astrophysics Sequence (9 credit hours) Other Requirements: Galaxies and Cosmology Sequence (3 credit hours) Other Requirements: Exoplanets and Planetary Science Sequence (3 credit hours) Other Requirements: Instrumentation and Techniques Sequence (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree in a related field to be used for this degree.
SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1)
AST 521 Stars and Interstellar Medium I (3)
AST 522 Stars and Interstellar Medium II (3)
AST 591 Seminar: Astrophysics (2)
SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1)
AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I (3)
AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II (3)
AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III (3)
AST 598 Topic: Exploring Exoplanets (3)
AST 598 Topic: Origins of Solar Systems (3)
SES 598 Topic: Water in the Solar System (3)
AST 552 Astronomical Instrumentation and Data Analysis (3)
SES 598 Topic: An Introduction to Astro-statistics (3)
SES 598 Topic: Introductory Radio Astronomy (3)
SES 598 Topic: Spectroscopy for Astrophysics (3)
SES 799 Dissertation (12)
Students select one course from each other requirement category. Substitutions may be made per department approval.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Evaluate literature and current research in the field of astrophysics as it relates to their own original research.
- Conduct independent, original scientific research, drawing scientific conclusions that advances knowledge in astrophysics.
- Effectively communicate complex astrophysics concepts, research findings, and their implications to diverse audiences, including scientific peers, industry professionals, and the public.
Evaluate literature and current research in the field of astrophysics as it relates to their own original research. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 10/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this astrophysics PhD degree prepares you for
Professionals with expertise in astrophysics are in high demand across all sectors and industries, including remote sensing, data science, instrument building, computational science, defense industries and scientific research. Coding and numerical modeling skills translate across many domains, even beyond astrophysics. Skills in the measurement and analysis of data related to the physics, chemistry and structure of the universe and exoplanetary systems are valuable to businesses and institutions that rely on data-driven strategies to explore beyond the Earth and solar system.
A doctoral degree in astrophysics is required for some careers in postsecondary education and research.
Career examples include:
- astrophysics professor
- data scientist
- instrument builder
- project manager
- research astronomer
- telescope operator
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Earth and Space Exploration
|
ISTB4 795
sese-prospectivegrads@asu.edu
480-965-5081
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
