About PhD Program,
The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers two different PhD degrees designed to best train students in their chosen discipline. For most branches of physics, students should enroll in the Physics PhD. Students interested in astronomy or astrophysics may apply for the Astronomy PhD. Students interested in Applied Physics may apply for the Applied Physics PhD.
Our department is particularly strong in multi-disciplinary research, with joint faculty in Materials Science, Chemistry, and Electrical Engineering, and strong ties to both Argonne National Laboratory and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Students in certain areas may have the opportunity to spend significant amounts of time at off-campus facilities such as CERN or at astronomical observatories around the world.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Students must maintain a B (3.0) average in the core courses (see above for details) to qualify for candidacy.
An oral exam will be administered by the Graduate Curriculum Committee for any student who does not maintain a B (3.0) average in the core courses.
students may apply to receive a Master’s degree en route to their PhD degree. This may be helpful on applications for outside funding.
The thesis must be defended by no later than the end of the student’s ninth (9th) year at Northwestern.
The median number of years to completion is six (6) years.
A proposed thesis topic must be defended before a faculty committee no later than by the end of the student’s fourth (4th) year at Northwestern.
PhD Funding Coverage,
First-year graduate students are normally supported for 12 months as University Fellows. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a full tuition scholarship. Fellows are not normally assigned any departmental duties; however, it is expected that University Fellows will take advantage of the time provided by the fellowship to become involved in research with one of our faculty members.
Students in their second year of study are often supported as Teaching Assistants in the academic year. These also receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and a full tuition scholarship.
The stipends for University Fellows, TAs, and RAs vary, depending on the student’s qualifications. However, the minimum 12-month stipend for any student on full support for 2022-2023 is $35,196. If a student is granted financial support, they are immediately sent a letter specifying the precise details and amount of the award.
Application Requirement,
Transcripts
Transcripts of work completed or in progress at all colleges or universities attended.
Please make sure scanned transcripts are legible before uploading them. Illegible transcripts will not be reviewed.
Please do not upload foreign language transcripts unless English language transcripts are impossible to obtain. If you only have access to foreign language transcripts, your foreign language transcripts must be accompanied by an official English translation bearing the original ink signature and seal of the issuing university.
Please do not mail official copies of your transcripts to The Graduate School before you have been admitted AND submitted your enrollment decision. Any transcript submitted prior to that point will not be kept and you will be required to submit those transcripts again.
Letters of recommendation
At least two letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your work must be submitted through the application portal. Professors will be sent an email through which they can submit their recommendations.
Statement of Purpose
English-language tests
International students are required to submit scores from tests such as the TOEFL.
The Graduate School’s minimum TOEFL score is 90 for PhD applicants.
Students who attended an institution where English is the main language of instruction may be exempt. Please email the Graduate Program Assistant for more information.
GRE score submission is optional for the master’s and Physics PhD programs.
Application Deadline,
Dec 06, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee is $95 and is paid in the application portal.
