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Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Physics

Physics gets to the heart of how the universe works, from the properties of nanoparticles to astronomical phenomena. This vast discipline strains the limits of credulity at its theoretical fringes, yet at the same time delivers practical insights for use in engineering and product design. While theoretical physicists focus on paradigm-shifting discoveries in dark matter and the like, applied physicists drive innovation in electronics and optical technology, medical devices, advanced materials, and nuclear energy.

A master's degree in physics puts you on the path to a leading role in physics research, commercial R&D, or management. Earn a master's degree online or on campus in approximately two years. Along the way, you'll deepen your expertise with access to physics thought leaders, advanced research equipment, internships, and the opportunity to forge your own path in physics investigation and innovation.

WorldWideLearn.com's guide to the master's degree in physics prepares you to make the most of the program. Learn how to identify the academic resources you need to achieve your goals, both in the classroom and as a practicing physicist.

Guide to Master's Degrees in Physics

Physics is one of three fundamental sciences, alongside biology and chemistry. The properties and interaction of matter in all its forms--solid, fluid, subatomic, etc.--inform all other scientific and engineering fields of inquiry. The discipline draws on intersections with philosophy and mathematics as well as the core sciences to derive insights into phenomena such as electromagnetism, quantum physics, subatomic particles, and more. To learn more about this vast and exciting discipline, see WorldWideLearn's Guide to College Majors in Physics.

Professional and Academic Master's Degrees

The versatility of a physics graduate education has inspired a selection of master's degrees designed to meet different career goals.

Master of Science in Physics
The MS in physics is the traditional science master's degree, suitable for careers in both theoretical and experimental physics. Programs typically combine advanced scientific coursework with a research component. The degree may lead directly into industry, or serve as a stepping stone to the PhD in physics and an academic career.

Professional Science Master's Degree in Applied Physics
The PSM in applied physics is a relatively new graduate degree designed to prepare students for leadership positions in science business and industry R&D. A USA Today article defined the PSM as "an education aimed at future managers who will be able to move comfortably in the business of science." In the interest of fostering advanced understanding of both the science and business of physics R&D, the PSM features a combined curriculum of business fundamentals and applied physics courses. The master's degree culminates in an industry internship. PSM degrees are often available through distance education, for working professionals who want to earn a master's degree online.

Master of Science in Medical Physics
The MS in medical physics is unique in its departmental affiliation. These programs reside within medical schools rather than academic physics departments, and are structured as pre-professional degrees. Graduates go on to careers as medical researchers or, with additional training, MDs.

Learn more about your master's degree options at WorldWideLearn.com's The Master's Degree Explained and Master's Degrees Online.

Specializations

Physics master's degrees invariably offer the opportunity to specialize, either through elective coursework or through research. Research may happen in a university lab or in the context of an industry internship.

Specializations reflect the breadth of the physics discipline. Major areas of study include:

Physics fundamentals

Interdisciplinary fields

Applied fields

Many of these fields break down into further levels of specialization. Condensed-matter physics, for example, encompasses research in superconductivity, crystallography, and semiconductors. Most graduate students enter the program with a general sense of direction in their research interests, and specialize further once they start working with a faculty mentor or begin an R&D internship project.

Career Tracks in Physics

A master's degree in physics leads to careers in physics research, commercial R&D and product development, management, and education. Job titles include:

Related career paths available to graduates with a physics master's degree include patent law and science journalism.

Physics Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, physicists can expect strong career prospects. Employment is expected to grow 16 percent between 2008 and 2018. Demand for graduate-level physicists will be strongest in applied R&D, product design, and manufacturing.

Plan for a Master's Degree in Physics

A graduate physics program opens up a world of professional possibilities. To take the best advantage of your two-year tour through academia, set yourself up in a program that matches your interests and professional goals.

Step One: Find the Right Graduate Physics Program

The physics department is a cornerstone of higher education in the sciences. Finding graduate programs in physics is not difficult; the challenge is to sift through your options and find the master's program that suits you best.

1. List Accredited Programs
Start your quest for the right physics program by accessing all your master's degree options. Online directories feature master's degrees searchable by degree type, campus location, and even area of specialization. Accreditation is the basic qualifier at this stage in your research, a sign that the master's degree program meets accepted minimum standards for educational quality. These regular program reviews determine the value of your degree as an employment credential and can affect your eligibility for financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education website posts a searchable database of approved accreditation agencies.

Resources
WorldWideLearn.com offers a starting point for your research. Search Degrees by Subject for links to accredited campus and online master's degrees in physics.

The American Institute of Physics features a searchable online directory of graduate programs in physics. Search by physics specialization area, master's degree type (terminal master's or PhD-track), and location. You can also access a Roster of Physics Departments with enrollment and degree data.

The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) features a list of accredited medical physics master's degree programs.

2. Choose Program Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree?
Digital learning technology has made it possible to earn a master's degree online. Online physics graduate programs typically incorporate a hands-on training component through a local lab facility or temporary campus residencies.

Choose the right program for you based on your:

WorldWideLearn.com features Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections to help you find programs with your chosen delivery format. Search Degrees by Location for campus graduate programs in your area.

3. Explore Academic Programs
Get into the crux of your program research by exploring the resources available at each of your prospective schools. Consider these features:

How you rank these features depends on your personal priorities. Aspiring academics, for example, will prioritize campus research facilities and availability of faculty mentors. Professional master's degree students will value career placement and industry internship opportunities.

Resources
WorldWideLearn.com presents an interactive search tool designed to accelerate your program research. Input your academic program criteria, and representatives from matching schools will contact you to discuss the master's degree and answer any questions you have.

School websites are ground zero for graduate program information. Find information about degree types, admission and graduation requirements, courses, and faculty. Also link to research labs, employer-sponsored programs, faculty publications, and other resources.

Informational interviews and campus visits help you fill in the blanks. Meet with faculty, alumni, and current graduate students to discuss the academic experience and the value of the degree on the job market. If possible, tour research labs and visit classes.

4. Evaluate Program Quality
Finally, rank the remaining programs on your list according to these quality considerations:

Identify five or six programs that offer the best balance between value, appropriate resources, and selectivity. Selectivity considerations require you to gauge your admissions prospects based on your undergraduate record.

Resources
Admissions Departments supply most of the information indicated above: admissions and placement rate, average admitted students' GPA and test scores, employers and average starting salaries, and student demographics such as work experience and country of origin. Ask a school representative or admissions counselor for these information sheets.

Rankings give you a general sense of the program's reputation. Influential publications include U.S. News & World Report, Physics Graduate Schools. This regular ranking even offers a breakdown by specialization field, with distinct graduate degree rankings for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical; Condensed Matter; Cosmology; Elementary Particles; Nuclear; Plasma; and Quantum Physics.

Step Two: Apply to Graduate Physics Programs

Application requirements are pretty standards across physics graduate programs. Your application checklist may look something like this:

1. Complete Prerequisites
To be eligible for graduate study, complete these prerequisites:

For help ticking these prerequisites off your list, consult the Education Resources Guide. You'll find test preparation resources, prerequisite courses, and online learning tools to help you on your way.

2. Prepare Application Materials
Start by accessing the application online or by request, through the admissions department. In addition to an information form, plan to submit the following materials:

In addition, some programs require a processing fee and include a financial aid application. If your application passes the first round of inspection, you may be called for an interview.

3. Finance Your Master's Degree in Physics
A master's degree in physics is an important investment in your future. You can offset some of your educational expense by opting to earn a master's degree online, keeping your income while you learn. To cover your expenses, look into school funding from the university, the federal government, your employer, and private foundations. Steps to secure financial aid include:

Find out more about financial aid at WorldWideLearn.com's graduate education funding section.

Step Three: Build an Academic Network

Finally, take steps to join a community of physics academic and professionals who share your interests. You can establish yourself as a physics graduate student by:

Your academic community promises to play as important a role in your education as your classroom education. Take the initiative now to build relationships and inside knowledge within your physics specialty. You'll not only learn from your peers, but also draw support from this network throughout your professional career.

Conclusion

A master's degree in physics gives you a foothold in this vast and influential science. Use your expertise and academic connections to carve a niche for yourself in academic research or commercial R&D. With so much of the world still to discover and so many discoveries to apply, the possibilities for your physics career are limitless.

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Virginia College

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Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

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