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Ph.D. Degree

Offering innovative educational and research opportunities with renowned faculty in state-of-the-art facilities where members research fundamental problems involving physics at all scales

The physics Ph.D. program is designed to give students a fundamental theoretical background beyond that of undergraduate level.

Our talented and hardworking students are provided research experience that produces high-quality and novel work that is recognized by publication in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at discipline-specific conferences or workshops, and sometimes though patents. To obtain a Ph.D. degree the student must complete the coursework, oral examination, and research requirements.

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Program Overview

Program Delivery: On-campus

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers Masters of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Both degree programs provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals as well as a diverse range of specializations for research. In addition to working with Physics faculty in these research areas, graduate students have worked with faculty in a range of other departments at WVU.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy to talk with the faculty and view the facilities. Limited financial support is available to help defray the cost of housing and food. Contact the Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee, Professor Loren Anderson, to make arrangements.

The program is designed to give students a fundamental theoretical background beyond that of undergraduate level and a research experience that produces high-quality and novel work that is normally recognized by publication in peer-reviewed journals (or sometimes in patents).

Admissions Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Physics at WVU?

University Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelors degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75.

WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

Program Requirements

To be eligible for admission into the Physics graduate program an applicant must submit the following documentation:

  • Letters of Recommendation - Three
  • Résumé /CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • GRE

Additional application considerations:

  • The GRE is optional.

Certain application requirements may be waived based on a preliminary review of an application by program.

International Applicants must also submit the documents required for international applicants.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall: December 15

Program Contact

Edward Flagg

Associate Professor and Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee

Phone: 3042937411

Have questions?

Do you have questions about our graduate program? Would you like to visit us on campus?

Contact the Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee at  physicsadmissions@mail.wvu.edu to make arrangements for a visit or to get your questions answered.