PhD Space and Planetary Sciences at University of Arkansas

Programme overview

The PhD in Space and Planetary Sciences is an interdisciplinary doctoral programme run through the Space and Planetary Science Center, culminating in a defended dissertation after a candidacy exam. It prepares students for careers in the academic, government, private or military sectors.

Faculty: Graduate School | Department: Space and Planetary Science Center | Study mode: full-time | Location: Fayetteville, AR, United States

What you will study

Coursework includes Seminar, Proseminar, a 3-hour Internship at a national or industrial laboratory, four of five core courses (Astrophysics I, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Geology, Astrobiology, Astronautics), at least three space and planetary electives, and 18 hours of dissertation. The candidacy exam has a 2,500-word integrative essay and an oral defense, usually before the end of the second year.

Career pathways

Academic, government, private or military sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose submitted to the Space and Planetary Science Center; the GRE, including the writing score, is encouraged.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer sessions.

Graduate School application deadlines: August 1 for fall, December 1 for spring, April 15 for summer sessions; some departments set earlier deadlines. The application fee is $60 for new applicants; $30 for returning UA graduate students.

Law (JD): priority application deadline April 15, with rolling review after that date; admission is for the full-time program in the fall.

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