2013-2014

Applied Physics, Master of Science

Department of Physics and Astronomy

College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

This plan provides a strong core of applied physics as well as essential research skills, and prepares you for technical employment in high-technology industries, research institutes, or college teaching, as well as for further professional study in various fields of applied physics. This plan can be interdisciplinary, integrating a broad range of subject areas to enhance your opportunities for research, teaching, or careers in the private sector. There are both thesis and coursework options in General Physics and specialization options in Planetary Science and Teaching College Physics.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • General Physics Coursework - Emphasis (ending Summer 2016)
  • General Physics Thesis - Emphasis (ending Summer 2017)
  • Planetary Science Thesis - Emphasis (ending Summer 2016)
  • Teaching College Physics - Emphasis (ending Summer 2017)

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 30
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Comprehensive Exam Comprehensive Exam may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • GRE® Revised General Test
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements
  • Emphasis Requirements (Select One):
    • General Physics - Thesis Emphasis (18 units)
      • PHY 530 (3 units)
      • 500-600-level electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, chosen with your advisor's approval. These must be formal, graded coursework. (6 units)
      • PHY 685 or 500-600-level electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, including 6 additional units of thesis, chosen with your advisor's approval. (6 units)
      • PHY 699, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis Please be aware that you may only count 9 units of thesis credit toward your degree. However, you may end up taking more units because you must enroll for it each term while you are working on your thesis. (3 units)
      Please be aware that university Graduate Assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours each semester.

    • Planetary Science - Thesis Emphasis (18 units)
      • PHY 530 (3 units)
      • 500-600-level electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that¿s appropriate to your career goals, chosen with your advisor's approval. These must be formal, graded coursework. (6 units)
      • PHY 685 or 500-600-level electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, including 6 additional units of thesis, chosen with your advisor's approval. (6 units)
      • PHY 699, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. Please be aware that you may only count 9 units of thesis credit toward your degree. However, you may end up taking more units because you must enroll for it each term while you are working on your thesis. (3 units)
      Please be aware that university Graduate Assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours each semester.

    • General Physics - Coursework Emphasis (18 units)
      • PHY 530, PHY 545, and PHY 550 (9 units)
      • Electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, chosen with your advisor's approval. These must be formal, graded coursework. Up to 6 units may be at the 400-level, and the remainder must be at the 500- or 600-level. (9 units)
      • A comprehensive oral exam
      Please be aware that university Graduate Assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours each semester.

    • Teaching College Physics Emphasis (18 units)
      • PHY 500 (3 units)
      • Selected from the following: PHY 530, PHY 545, or PHY 550 (6 units)
      • Electives in any science, mathematics, engineering, or other field that's appropriate to your career goals, chosen with your adviser's approval. These units must all be formal, graded coursework and at the 400, 500, or 600 level. (5 units)
      • PHY 608, during which you will teach lecture courses, in introductory college physics, under supervision. (4 units)
      • A comprehensive oral exam
      Please be aware that university Graduate Assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine hours each semester.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.