PhD Astrophysics at Arizona State University

Programme overview

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.

What you will study

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (1 credit hour) SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1) Electives or Research (53 credit hours) Other Requirements: Astrophysics Sequence (9 credit hours) 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) Other Requirements: Galaxies and Cosmology Sequence (3 credit hours) AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I (3) AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II (3) AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III (3) Other Requirements: Exoplanets and Planetary Science Sequence (3 credit hours) AST 598 Topic: Exploring Exoplanets (3) AST 598 Topic: Origins of Solar Systems (3) SES 598 Topic: Water in the Solar System (3) Other Requirements: Instrumentation and Techniques Sequence (3 credit hours) 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) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) SES 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information Students select one course from each other requirement category.

Career pathways

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. Career examples: astrophysics professor, data scientist, instrument builder, project manager, research astronomer, telescope operator.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

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: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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