arizona state university phd deadline

Apply to graduate school

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Admission requirements

While each of ASU's graduate programs has unique admission standards, ASU has set minimum requirements for admission to master's, certificate and doctoral programs.

Bachelor's degree requirement

You must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution  in the U.S. or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by that country.

GPA requirement

Competitive applicants typically have a “B” (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of undergraduate coursework. If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your application may still be considered by the department.

Additional requirements by program

Factors that may also be considered include test scores (such as the GRE or GMAT), the type of coursework completed during undergraduate studies,  letters of recommendation , and any other supporting documents you may be asked to submit for your application. Find your program of interest in  Graduate Degree Search  to learn more about factors considered for admission.

International applicants

The application standards for international students are the same as for domestic students, with the addition of submitting proof of English proficiency (for students whose native language is not English). After admission, international students are also required to obtain a U.S. visa , which includes submitting a graduate financial guarantee.

All international  transcripts  must be submitted in the original language and accompanied by an official English translation. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by a university, government official or official translation service. You may not complete your own translation.

Photocopies and notarized transcripts are not acceptable.

When to apply to graduate school at ASU

*Application deadlines are set and enforced by academic program offices. Specific deadline information can be found in the program descriptions on Degree Search . Please contact the academic office offering the program for exceptions.

Spring 2025

Feb. 1, 2024 Application opens

Oct. 1, 2024 FAFSA priority filling date 

Late Oct. 2024 Class registration begins  

Jan. 13, 2025 Classes begin

Sept. 1, 2024 Application opens

Dec. 2024 2025-2026 FAFSA opens

Late Feb. 2025 Class registration begins  

May 1, 2025 FAFSA priority filling date 

Aug. 21, 2025 Classes begin

In the graduate admission video series below, learn how to apply to Arizona State University using the graduate admission application. An ASU admission representative guides you through each section of the application, answering frequently asked questions about the steps to apply.

Personal information

The first step in completing the ASU graduate application is the personal information section. We walk you through each of these fields and address questions you might have about this section of the application.

Academic history

The second section of the application focuses on your prior academic history, including any colleges or universities you previously attended. Watch as we guide you through these scenarios and explain how to fill out each part based on your situation.

The information in the residency portion of the graduate application helps the admission office determine if you are an in-state, out-of-state or international student. In this video, we cover these terms in detail and explain how to accurately fill out this part of your application.

Degree selection

One of the final sections of the graduate application is the degree section. If you’re unsure of which major is best for you, we offer resources that might help you decide.

Supplemental information

The information that is requested in the supplemental information session will differ by degree. In this guide, the admission representative will walk you through how to submit common supplemental material.

Additional information

Finally, in the additional info section, you are able to submit unofficial transcripts for the admission process. In this video, you will learn some tips to help you upload the documents successfully.

The ASU graduate student admission process

Follow these steps to apply to Arizona State University as a graduate student.

Ensure you meet admission requirements

If you are an international student, see the international graduate admission steps and requirements .

The university maintains minimum standards for consideration for admission to graduate degree programs listed above. Additionally, you should review the degree standards, application materials and timelines for submitting your application for the degree program of your interest.

View degree requirements

Complete a graduate admission application and pay nonrefundable application fee

Apply online with ASU’s Application for Admission . If you are interested in a program in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, visit the college's admission site for the application and instructions. Need help filling out the application? Watch these step-by-step videos .

Apply now 

Pay the application fee

$70: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, in application for permanent residency, DACA, international online student studying outside the U.S.

$115: International students on any nonimmigrant visa type studying in the U.S. (e.g., F-1, H1-B, H-4, etc).

When you complete your application for admission, you will be asked to submit your payment for the application. ASU accepts Visa or Mastercard. The graduate application fee covers the administrative cost of processing your application. It is not refundable under any circumstance, regardless of the outcome, the date of filing or time of review, or if for whatever the reason the application is withdrawn, or you are unable to enroll for a class.

Submit any additional materials

Please make sure all additional materials required by your department have been submitted. Even though you have submitted the application online, your application may be considered incomplete and therefore not reviewed until all additional materials are received. Please note, any document ASU receives becomes property of the university and will not be returned to you.

While you wait for an admission decision

Once you have submitted all of the required documents, you will have a completed application on file. The admission decision timeline can vary depending on the academic college of interest. While you wait, we encourage you to consider reviewing the following resources.

ASU Tuition Estimator

What you need to apply to graduate school

Please be sure to review each item below to help you matriculate seamlessly through the admission process.

Transcripts

You must have one set of transcripts from every college and university from which you earned a bachelor’s degree or higher sent to ASU. Official transcripts must be sent directly to ASU Admission Services from the issuing institution's records office either by mail or through a secured electronic transcript service. For transcripts sent through a secured transcript service, please select Arizona State University from the vendor's dropdown list to ensure the transcript is routed to the correct place. If an email address is requested, you can route to [email protected] . ASU accepts unofficial transcripts as part of the application. This is the only way we will accept unofficial transcripts. Emailed transcripts are not acceptable. If you submit unofficial transcripts and are admitted to the university, you will be required to send official transcripts to the university. Official transcripts are original academic credentials issued by the registrar of the institution attended, bearing the original raised or colored seal of the institution, and the signature of your institution's registrar, academic official or recognized international organization. If you attended ASU, you do not need to request ASU transcripts to be sent. More about transcripts

Official test scores

Your program may require you to have official test scores (such as GRE, GMAT, etc.) sent directly to ASU. Test scores must be received directly from the agency administering the test. Photocopies and faxes are not acceptable.

Please note that ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home. Please refer to https://admission.asu.edu/international/graduate/english-proficiency for acceptable exams for English proficiency requirements.

Additional support materials

See your program of interest in Degree Search or check with the department offering the degree regarding required support materials. These may include a statement of purpose or writing sample, portfolio, curriculum vitae or biographical sketch or resume, etc. Many support materials may be uploaded as part of the online application for admission. Depending on your graduate program, letters of recommendation may also be requested.

English proficiency International students must submit proof of  English proficiency . Visa and immigration If you are residing in the U.S. on a valid visa, you will need to provide proof of your current visa. Please enlarge the image if you fax the copy to 480-965-5158.

Mailing information

To expedite the processing of your application, please write your application reference number on all documents and envelopes submitted to ASU. Materials submitted without your application reference number will delay the processing of your application. If sending by stamped mail: Arizona State University Graduate Admission Services PO Box 871004 Tempe, AZ 85287-1004 If sending by FedEx, DHL or UPS: Arizona State University Graduate Admission Services 1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226 Tempe, AZ 85281

Top 10 graduate application tips

Read our graduate school application tips to get advice for your personal statement and letters of recommendation, and take advantage of resources that will help you prepare your application.

Find a program you're interested in

You can find the program you are interested in through Degree Search . While looking at your program of interest, be sure to review the Admission Requirements section, which outlines materials required and any test scores needed. You will also be able to see which terms you can apply for. Then, click on the Apply Now button to start your application.

You can start the application, save your work and return to it

Once you start the application , you will be emailed login information that you can use to finish the application (within 90 days).

Gather contact information from your recommenders

Most departments typically ask for three letters of recommendation . Enter the contact information for your recommenders on the application. ASU then sends a request to your recommenders when you submit your application. You will be able to submit prompts to your recommenders (if needed) afterward. Let your recommender know in advance that they may be contacted by ASU. Explain to them the degree you are seeking and why you are pursuing that degree.

We'll need a list of all the colleges and schools you've attended and when

We will also need unofficial transcripts from these schools, other than ASU, which you can upload online as part of your application.

You may be asked to submit a personal statement

Your  personal statement  is your chance to share your goals, the reasons why you are interested in the program and how your background aligns with the program.

Former students should have their ASU ID number handy

If you have attended ASU, you will be asked for your 10-digit ID number. This helps us match your application to your previous student record.

Update your resume

You may need to submit a resume as part of your application. See Admission Requirements for your program of interest in Degree Search for details.

Have your unofficial transcripts available

You will be asked for your undergraduate GPA, including your junior-senior year GPA. Use our calculators (4.00 scale | non 4.00 scale), if you need them.

To GRE or not to GRE

If your program requires submission of a GRE (or other graduate school entrance exam), you do not have to take it before you complete the application, but you must take it before you receive an admission decision.

Note: ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at-home exam.

We recommend you start the application process as early as possible. Make sure you have thoroughly researched your program, understand the expectations and know what is required for a successful application. 

Learn more about ASU's Explore Graduate School Seminars and test preparation programs.

Frequently asked questions about the graduate application

When do I apply for grad school?

The application for admission opens almost a year prior to the academic term you would begin your studies. Use the chart above for graduate application open dates for both fall and spring semesters.

What is the grad school application deadline?

Application deadlines are set and enforced by academic program offices. Please refer to the program descriptions found on Degree Search for deadline information. To discuss deadlines and exceptions, you should contact the academic program office offering the program.

When do grad programs start?

Graduate programs start in the fall or spring semester, and follow the regular ASU academic calendar.

View more FAQs

Grad Important deadlines

Here are important deadlines you need to know.

March 18, 2024 — Registration opens.

May 1, 2024 — FAFSA priority submission date.

May 15, 2024 — ASU's university enrollment deposit extended deadline.

Physics PhD Admission Requirements

Prospective phd applicants.

Applications are accepted for fall admission only. The application deadline for full consideration for fall admission is January 31. Only complete submissions will be reviewed; files completed after this date may be considered depending on the availability of resources and the needs of the program. 

To be eligible for admission to the Physics PhD program, applicants must:

• Have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in physics or a closely related area, from a regionally accredited institution.
• Have at least a 3.0 GPA

International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency via the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE. More information regarding English proficiency and required scores can be found under ASU's English Proficiency Requirement for International Applicants . 

Test Scores

The Department of Physics no longer requires verbal, quantitative or analytical GRE scores. We also do not require the Physics GRE. However, if you wish to supply these scores, you may supply them as part of your supplemental documentation. Although this change may not be reflected on all of ASU’s web pages, it is effective immediately.

Application Fee Waiver 

Applicants facing financial hardship may request a waiver for their application fee. If your request is approved, you will be informed that you can submit your application without paying the fee. The Department of Physics has established a limited budget for these waivers. Requests will be considered as they are received until funds are depleted, but no later than January 15 .

Please complete the online application up to the fee payment page. To apply for an application fee waiver, ensure you have all the information listed below and fill out the ASU Physics PhD Fee Waiver Application Form . For any questions please contact [email protected] :

• Your ASU application ID number
• A brief essay (about 150 words) describing why paying the application fee is difficult in your situation
• The personal statement from your application
• Experimental biological and soft matter physics
• Theoretical biological and soft matter physics
• Experimental cosmology particle and astrophysics
• Theoretical cosmology particle and astrophysics
• Experimental nanoscale and materials physics
• Theoretical nanoscale and materials physics
• Your unofficial undergraduate and graduate (if available) transcripts.
• If you are not a native English speaker, please supply proof of English Proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, etc).
• Please ensure that your application will be competitive according to the admission metrics shown below.
• Please list the upper division (third or fourth year) physics courses you've completed in these 4 subject areas: classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism and statistical mechanics. Please include the course number and title as it is shown on your transcripts.

If you request is approved, we will let you know that you can submit your application without paying the fee. The Department of Physics has established a limited budget for these waivers. Requests will be considered as they are received until funds are depleted.

Application Information

Admission Metrics While we employ holistic admission criteria, which consider diversity, life and research experience, programmatic needs and overlap with faculty research interests, you must be adequately prepared for graduate study in physics. A strong indicator of this preparation is your performance in upper division (third and fourth year) physics coursework. Successful applicants should have performed at the 'A' or 'B' level in their upper-division physics coursework. Additionally, the disparity in the number of applications to the different research emphases offered by our PhD program requires us to be more selective for admission of our applicants with interests in certain sub-disciplines. As a rough guide to determine whether your application will be competitive, average overall GPAs of applicants admitted to our PhD program since 2017 are shown below.

Domestic Average GPA

• Biological & Soft Matter Physics: 3.62
• Cosmology, Particle & Astrophysics: 3.73
• Nanoscale & Materials Physics: 3.57

International Average GPA

• Cosmology, Particle & Astrophysics: 3.64
• Nanoscale & Materials Physics: 3.36

The entire admission process is electronic and is coordinated through the ASU Graduate Admissions. The entry link for application is Graduate Education's admissions page . All application materials must be submitted online, do not mail any documents to the Department of Physics. All official documents, transcripts and test scores should be sent to Graduate Admissions.

• Basic application and fee
• Statement of purpose. Be sure to include specific items that indicate your personal attributes of initiative, creativity, determination, flexibility, etc relating to research or personal interests. Applicants should also reference the names of faculty with whom they are interested in working or have already consulted.
• TOEFL (or equivalent) for non-native speakers. ASU requires international students to have minimum TOEFL scores of 515 (PBT), 213 (CBT), or 83 (iBT). At the department level, we look for scores about 15% above these minima, since language skills are critical for teaching assistant positions. For more information on how to meet English Proficiency, visit the admission page . 
• Complete transcripts of educational work, to date. Transcripts should include the fall semester or winter quarter grades, if possible. Official transcripts must be sent directly to ASU Admission Services from the issuing institution's records office either by mail or through a secured electronic transcript service. For more information about transcripts please visit the admission page . We will accept unofficial transcripts for review purposes but we cannot admit you into the program until official transcripts are received.
• Three letters of recommendation. You will be asked to enter the names and email addresses in the online application of three individuals who can recommend you to our graduate program. These letters should be written by faculty or professional colleagues who have supervised you for research or academic work. For international students, specific comments about ability with spoken English will be helpful.
• You may include an additional one page document containing information that not in your statement of purpose that will assist the admissions committee in formulating a decision. This information might include skills that will enable you to succeed in PhD research (e.g., computer programming/coding, designing and building experimental apparatus, machine shop experience, mechanical or electronic design, etc.), challenges or hardships you have overcome or how your background can enrich the diversity of physics as a discipline. You may also list any publications that list you as an author or co-author as well as any awards, honors or professional society memberships. Feel free to explain your short and long-term goals after obtaining your PhD in physics.

All official documents must be mailed to Graduate Admissions:

If sending by stamped mail: Arizona State University Graduate Admission Services PO Box 871004 Tempe, AZ 85287-1004

If sending by Fedex, DHL or UPS: Arizona State University Graduate Admission Services 1150 East University Drive, Building C, Room 226 Tempe, AZ 85281

How do I submit my application materials?

All application materials for the PhD program are submitted online through the Graduate Admissions electronic application system. More information regarding the electronic admissions application can be found at: https://admission.asu.edu/graduate/apply .

Who should I have write letters of recommendation for my application?

Letters of recommendation should come from faculty members, instructors, research mentors or other individuals who have worked closely with the applicant and can comment on his/her potential for graduate study and research experience.

I missed the January 31st deadline. Can I still apply?

Yes.  Applications received after the deadline for fall admission may be reviewed and considered up to April 15th. However, we cannot guarantee that a late application will receive the same consideration as if it was sent on time. In addition, the applicant may not be eligible for some scholarships, fellowships or TA support. International students must consider important dates for the issuance of immigration documents. Please refer to the following website for this information:  https://students.asu.edu/international/immigration .

Should I contact faculty to see if they have available openings within their research group?

Yes, applicants are encouraged to communicate with faculty they are interested in working with and to list the names of prospective faculty advisors on their application. These connections will help determine if applicants will be a good fit for the faculty’s research group and whether or not research assistant support will be available in the future.

When will admission decisions be made?

The admissions committee will review applications after the deadline. Recommendations for admissions will begin in February. 

How can I check the status of my application?

Please check your MyASU portal, specifically your Priority Tasks for any required items that need to be submitted.

I’m an international applicant and I’m having trouble with receiving or submitting documents for the I-20? What should I do?

All information regarding the I-20 (how to request, what is needed, and tracking the status) may be found in the student’s MyASU student account. The Graduate College produces the I-20. If the student has questions that are unable to be answered through the MyASU student account or through a search on their website, ( http://graduate.asu.edu ), the student should contact Graduate College directly at 1-480-965-6113 or by email: [email protected] .

If I send my application information in an email, can I receive a pre-evaluation to see if I’m eligible to apply?

No. We do not have the resources to pre-screen applications.  We cannot formulate an admission decision without an official application on file. All application materials must be received before a final decision is made.

Do I need to submit official transcripts as part of my application?

Unofficial transcripts of your college and/or university work are sufficient for review purposes as long as they are clearly labeled with the institution name and indicate the date(s) that degrees were awarded.  You cannot be officially admitted into our PhD program until official transcripts of your college and/or university work are received by our admissions office

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Graduate program application deadlines.

For information on how to apply to Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College graduate programs please visit the MLFTC graduate admission page . Visit the ASU graduate admissions website for more information about application fees.

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Master’s degrees leading to certification

Completed application files are reviewed and admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to initiate and complete the application process at least one month before the posted deadline. ASU establishes separate deadlines that affect late fees.

Master's degrees

Doctoral degrees.

EdD program: All materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received for applications to be reviewed. Applications submitted after 11:59 pm MST on the deadline date will not be considered for admission. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of admission status approximately 6 weeks after the posted application deadline.

PhD programs: Consideration for admission and funding will be given to applications that include all required materials received by Dec. 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm MST for admission in fall 2025 . Applications submitted after Dec. 1, 2024  will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received for applications to be reviewed. Recommenders receive the electronic recommendation form via email within 72 hours of the application being submitted and the application fee being paid. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their recommenders respond in a timely fashion, i.e. within one week of receipt of the link.

Graduate certificates

Graduate applications

Graduate admissions process requirements vary between programs, refer to each specific program for requirements or contact the SSEBE Advising Office for additional information.

Application deadlines

PhD: January 1  for fall semester admissions and  July 1  for spring semester admissions .

Master’s degrees: March 1  for fall semester admissions and  October 1  for spring semester admissions.

It is particularly important for PhD applicants to get all materials to the Graduate Admissions Office by the priority deadlines.

Note: We do not preview applications. Students must apply to the university before their admission credentials will be evaluated. The admission decision will display in the applicant’s  My ASU web-page.

Application process

Applications are made through ASU’s Graduate Admissions Office and not directly to the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment.

• Fill out the online application at https://admission.asu.edu/graduate/apply
• Pay the application fee . No application will be reviewed unless the application fee is paid. ASU does not waive application fees.
• Send all official transcripts and documents to one of the following addresses, based on your mail service:

Regular Mail Admission Services Applicant Processing  Arizona State University PO Box 871004 Tempe AZ 85287-1004

FedEx, DHL (any sender who will not send to a P.O. Box) Arizona State University Admission Services Applicant Processing 1150 East University Drive Building C, Room 226 Tempe, AZ 85281 

Application review and status

Applications are reviewed starting on the priority deadline date for each program.  Decisions are generally made within the 3-5 weeks following these dates.

After your application has been submitted online, you will receive an email acknowledgement that includes your ASURITE user ID and activation code. After you activate your ASURITE account, you may monitor the progress of your application at  www.asu.edu/myasu . 

Missing items in My ASU checklist

When you check your status, you may notice that we are missing an item that you sent in.  Keep in mind that it takes about 2-3 weeks after the Graduate Admissions Office receives your document to scan it in and for it to show up in the system.

Admission decisions

The department CANNOT release admission status until the final admission decision has been approved by the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission status will also not be given over the phone at any time because of FERPA regulations. 

If you have been admitted, your official admission letter will be available on My ASU.

The official admission decision is communicated to you via a letter from the Dean of the Graduate College. There are three admission categories: regular admission, provisional admission and regular admission with deficiencies. You are strongly urged to contact the graduate academic advisor if you do not understand the requirements that you meet when admitted provisionally or with deficiency courses to take.

All admission decisions are final and will not be reconsidered for applied application term. Applicants can reapply to future terms if denied.

Documents and transcripts

International students, please go to:  https://students.asu.edu/international/newgradstudents  to see what documentation is required. Note that the TOEFL requirements are as follows:

• International students must submit proof of  English proficiency .

GPA and other requirements

MS/MSE. applicants: A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher during the junior/senior years of their undergraduate degree program.

PhD applicants:  If you have earned a master’s degree, a cumulative GPA of 3.2 in graduate level coursework is required. Exceptional undergraduate students may apply and be admitted directly to the doctoral program. Note that faculty sponsorship is necessary for admission. All prospective applicants should get in touch with one or more faculty working in their area of specialization, express their desire to work with them and get at least one faculty member’s agreement that he/she would be their doctoral studies advisor.

Official GRE scores

The GRE is no longer a requirement for any of SSEBE’s MS or MSE programs.

GRE scores are required for all SSEBE PhD programs. 

Have ETS send your official scores to institution code 4007.  For more information about registering to take the GRE, go to  www.ets.org . If you are interested in taking the GRE at ASU, contact ASU’s University Testing Services at  http://www.asu.edu/uts/ . Prospective students should note that the following two requirements need to be met for consideration for admission: (a) minimum score in the Quantitative section is 700 (GRE General Test) or 155 (GRE revised General Test), and (b) the accepted minimum of combined Quantitative and Verbal scores is 1100 (GRE General Test) or 301 (GRE revised General Test). Higher scores than those listed above will be needed for those seeking any form of financial assistance.

Letters of recommendation

• PhD applicants  are required to submit 3 letters of recommendation.  The online application will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders and will send an electronic recommendation form directly to your recommenders.
• MS applicants for Civil Engineering are required to submit 3 letters of recommendation.  Construction Management applicants are not required to submit letters of recommendation. The online application will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders and will then send an electronic recommendation form directly to your recommenders.
• MSE applicants  for Construction Engineering are required to submit 2 letters of recommendation. Sustainable Engineering applicants are required to submit 3 letters of recommendation. The online application will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders and will then send an electronic recommendation form directly to your recommenders.
• PhD applicants are required to submit a resume or CV.
• MS/MSE applicants applying to Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering, Construction Engineering and Construction Management are encouraged but not required to submit a resume or CV. Applicants applying to the MSE in Sustainable Engineering are required to submit a resume or CV.

Personal statement

• PhD applicants are required to submit a personal statement.
• MS/MSE applicants are required to submit a personal statement.

Visa/i20 information

The Graduate Admissions Office strictly enforces the following deadlines for issuing I-20’s.  Therefore, it is imperative that international students submit their completed application and all other required materials at an early date.

• For more information about the I20 process and deadlines, please go to:  students.asu.edu/international/immigration
• You are not required to submit a financial guarantee form unless you are admitted and plan to attend ASU.  RA/TA offers can be included in the financial guarantee form. 

Financial aid

Domestic Students  may fill out a FAFSA and apply for need-based aid through ASU’s Financial Aid office:  students.asu.edu/financialaid

Teaching and research assistantships

Full-time graduate students (both domestic and international) are eligible to be awarded teaching or research assistantships.  Your application for admission will be reviewed by faculty, and RA/TA positions will be awarded to the most competitive applicants.  No separate RA/TA application is required.  Priority for RA/TA positions is given to PhD students.

Merit-based fellowships

Applicants are encouraged to review  Graduate Student Support  and fill out the  online application  to be reviewed for our fellowship awards.  Faculty members review these applications for competitive awards such as the Engineering Dean’s Fellowship and  Science Foundation Arizona  fellowships.

Molecular and Cellular Biology, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Additional Program Fee: No
• Second Language Requirement: No

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Molecular and Cellular Biology

The PhD program in molecular and cellular biology emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches in fundamental and highly applied molecular and cellular biology to answer basic and translational research questions. Students can tailor the program around their interests while gaining skills in the most innovative approaches and techniques.

Faculty have a diverse range of research interests and training opportunities for doctoral students interested in pursuing a degree that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of biological research. Participating faculty members and researchers are drawn from multiple departments, colleges, centers and institutes across the university including:

• New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
• School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering
• School of Human Evolution and Social Change
• School of Life Sciences
• School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
• School of Molecular Sciences

Participating faculty members are also based at partner institutions in the greater Phoenix area, including:

• Caris Life Sciences
• Mayo Clinic Arizona
• Phoenix Children's Hospital
• Translational Genomics Research Institute
• University of Arizona College of Medicine -- Phoenix

Program Faculty PhD Students

Interdisciplinary participants across ASU

• ASU School of Life Sciences
• ASU Department of Psychology
• ASU New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
• ASU School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering
• ASU School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy
• ASU School of Molecular Sciences
• ASU School of Human Evolution and Social Change
• ASU School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Interdisciplinary participants outside ASU

• Mayo Clinic in Arizona
• University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix

Application and admission information

How to apply.

Applications open September 1 for admission in Fall of the following year. The application deadline is November 15 . We accept applications for Fall semesters only. We cannot guarantee that applications received after the November 15 deadline will be considered for admission.

All applicants must apply by filling out ASU's Graduate Admissions application. All application materials must be submitted through the application or to Graduate Admissions directly. Please do not mail or email any documents to the School of Life Sciences. 

Required materials and information include the following:

• 1-2 page personal statement
• An up to date CV or resume
• The names of relevant SOLS faculty you have been in touch with who you might be interested in being supervised by
• Unofficial transcripts and English proficiency test scores (if applicable)
• The names and emails of at least 3 recommenders to write you letters of recommendation

Application review process and timeline

Following the November 15 deadline, faculty will begin reviewing applications. Applicants should monitor their My ASU priority tasks to ensure there are no missing materials in their application.

Faculty will decide which applicants they would like to invite to our Graduate Recruitment Weekends (GRWs), typically held in February. Applicants will hear from the School of Life Sciences in January if they are invited to participate in the GRWs.

Admission decisions will begin after the GRWs, and applicants typically receive final decisions by April 1.

Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission include the following:

• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• There are other ways to demonstrate English proficiency beyond the tests, so please refer to ASU's English proficiency webpage to review how you might satisfy requirements

Desired qualifications typically seen in competitive candidates:

• Research experience and a letter of recommendation from a faculty research supervisor
• English proficiency scores that meet these teaching assistant language proficiency requirements

Please note that the GRE is not required.

Students offered admission to a PhD program in the School of Life Sciences will typically receive a funding offer as well. While individual funding offers may differ to some degree, they typically include teaching assistant and/or research assistant positions each semester (summer optional) for 5 years. These positions provide financial coverage through the following:

• A standard salary stipend paid biweekly
• Tuition remission covering enrollment in 6-18 credit hours for fall and spring semesters and 1-14 credit hours for summer semesters
• Health insurance coverage

To discover more, check out the ASU Graduate College's funding opportunities !

Degree Requirements

Curriculum plan options.

• 84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (6 credit hours) MCB 555 Advanced Molecular and Cellular Sciences (3) MCB 556 Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology II (3)

Electives or Research (54 credit hours)

Other Requirements (12 credit hours) BIO 543 Molecular Genetics and Genomics (3) BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1) MCB 501 Seminar: Molecular and Cellular Biology Colloquium (8)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MCB 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information Students take MCB 501 eight times for one credit hour. Courses listed as other requirements may be substituted with approval of the academic unit.

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 or master's degree in the biological sciences, biochemistry or a closely related 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 a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants must submit the following:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• academic record form
• personal statement
• curriculum vitae or resume
• 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.

Research experience is a desired qualification.

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• Able to communicate the rationale and results of their research, both orally and in writing.
• Able to execute a research plan of their own design that addresses a significant scientific question about molecular and cellular biology.
• Able to review the literature relevant to the research question in molecular and cellular biology that they address in their dissertation.

Career Opportunities

Graduates hold positions as researchers and leaders in nongovernmental organizations, biotech and pharma, and in federal and state agencies.

Career examples include:

• faculty in universities and colleges
• leaders of nonprofit organizations
• principal investigators and leaders in private, government and industrial labs

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.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-1768

Admission Requirements & Deadlines