PhD Complex Adaptive Systems Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

Complex adaptive systems science serves as a common language to fuse different intellectual disciplines and promote the transdisciplinary collaborations needed to confront the intellectual and societal challenges of the modern world. Rather than focus on specialized understanding of a limited suite of phenomena, as is common in most academic disciplines, complex adaptive systems science emphasizes the multidimensional interconnections among phenomena comprising dynamic, evolving systems.

What you will study

84 credit hours, an oral comprehensive exam, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation.

Career pathways

Graduates with knowledge and skills in complexity science have a solid foundation for understanding risk and security. They can help develop solutions to complicated challenges in fields such as sustainability, finance, social and ecological sciences, life sciences, biomedical sciences, geophysical sciences and computer science.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. The school encourages applicants with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences that are relevant to the school's core objectives. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts letter of intent writing sample three letters of recommendation resume or curriculum vitae 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

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities