Prepare yourself to discover new planets, explore cosmology, and build space-flight hardware and instruments for telescopes and satellites. You can work with world-class faculty on NASA- and NSF-funded space missions, seeking answers to questions about how our universe began and how it continues to evolve.
Program Description
Degree Awarded: MS Astrophysics and Astronomy
The MS program in astrophysics and astronomy provides fundamental graduate training in both astrophysics and astronomy.
Students take graduate-level courses in stars and interstellar media, galaxies, and cosmology; obtain quantitative skills through analysis and modelling, and they may have observation opportunities through regional and international telescope observatories.
Degree Requirements
30 credit hours and a thesis
Required Core (1 credit hour) SES 502 Exploring SESE Research (1)
Electives or Research (5 credit hours)
Other Requirements: Astrophysics Sequence (9 credit hours) AST 521 Stars and Interstellar Medium I (3) AST 522 Stars and Interstellar Medium II (3) AST 591 Seminar: Astrophysics (2) SES 501 SESE Colloquium (1)
Other Requirements: Galaxies and Cosmology Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 531 Galaxies and Cosmology I (3) AST 532 Galaxies and Cosmology II (3) AST 533 Galaxies and Cosmology III (3)
Other Requirements: Exoplanets and Planetary Science Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 598 Topic: Origins of Solar Systems (3) AST 598 Topic: Exploring Exoplanets (3) SES 598 Topic: Water in the Solar System (3)
Other Requirements: Instrumentation and Techniques Sequence, pick one (3 credit hours) AST 540 Astronomical Instrumentation and Data Analysis (3) SES 598 Topic: Astrostatistics (3) SES 598 Topic: Spectroscopy for Astrophysics (3) SES 598 Topic: Introductory Radio Astronomy (3)
Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) SES 599 Thesis (6)
Additional Curriculum Information Substitutions for other requirements courses may be made per department approval.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
graduate admissions application and application fee
official transcripts
statement of purpose
three letters of recommendation
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.
Flexible Degree Options
Accelerated program options
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:
Do you want to be at the edge of exploration, making new discoveries about our planet, our solar system and our universe? As an astrophysics major, you could be discovering new planets, exploring cosmology, designing and building space-flight hardware, and engineering new instruments for telescopes and satellites.
BS - Earth and Space Exploration (Exploration Systems Design)
As an earth and space exploration major, you will be crossing the boundaries of science and engineering while preparing for a new era of exploration. In the exploration systems design concentration you can build space-flight hardware, engineer solutions to explore extreme environments and take a systems-based approach to scientific discovery.
As an earth and space exploration major, you learn about our planet, solar system and universe by combining science, engineering and education. You could be involved in building space-flight hardware; making astronomical observations; discovering new microbes; exploring volcanoes, oceans and glaciers; investigating Earth-climate interactions; and setting the stage for a new era of exploration.
BS - Earth and Space Exploration (Geological Sciences)
Explore earth by applying field and laboratory techniques to understand how rocks form, mountains are built, volcanoes erupt and earthquakes happen. You learn to solve scientific problems aimed at understanding the fundamental processes responsible for the evolution of our planet.
BS - Earth and Space Exploration (Astrobiology and Biogeosciences)
Explore the chemistry and geology of life on earth, especially life in extreme environments, and make astronomical observations while developing tools to study the habitability of other planets. Foster a unique, interdisciplinary view of the Earth and the universe beyond by combining the fields of Earth science, chemistry and astrophysics in this program.
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.
Professionals with expertise in astrophysics and astronomy are in high demand across all sectors and industries, including remote sensing, data science, building instruments, and scientific research. Coding and numerical modeling skills translate across many domains, even beyond astrophysics. Skills in the measurement and analysis of data related to the physics, chemistry, and structure of the universe and exoplanetary systems are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven strategies to explore beyond the Earth and solar system.
This degree program prepares candidates for further graduate study or for careers in related fields such as scientific staff positions at government laboratories, teaching at the community college level and technical positions in industry. Career examples include:
data scientist
research astronomer
telescope operator
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.
For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.