Overview

Department of Physics and Astronomy / Department of Physics and Astronomy is located in Fairfax, VA, in a suburban setting.

Degrees & Awards

Degrees Offered

Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degrees Awarded

Degree	Number Awarded
Master's Degrees	6
Doctoral Degrees	4

Earning Your Degree

Distance learning programs available?

No

Degree Requirements

Degree	Requirement
Master's Degrees	Entrance Exam GRE General and Subject Tests (recommended) Thesis Optional
Doctoral Degrees	Entrance Exam GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test (recommended) Comp Exam Required Thesis Required

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

49

Applied

24

Accepted

10

Enrolled

Applying

75

Application Fee - Domestic

80

Application Fee - International

Yes

Electronic
applications accepted?

Application Deadlines

Type	Domestic	International	Priority date
Fall deadline	February 15th	February 1st	Yes

Entrance Requirements

Exam	Details
Master's Degree Exam	GRE General and Subject Tests (recommended)
Master's Degree Requirements	Three letters of recommendation, preferably from former professors; personal statement
Doctoral Degree Exam	GRE General Test; GRE Subject Test (recommended)
Doctoral Degree Requirements	Three letters of recommendation, preferably from former professors; personal statement with emphasis on research experience and goals

International Students

Exam	Details
TOEFL: Required	TOEFL Paper score: 575 TOEFL IBT score: 88
IELTS: Required	IELTS Paper score: 6.5

Tuition & Fees

Financial Support

Financial award applicants must submit:	FAFSA
Application deadlines for financial awards	March 1
Types of financial support available	Research Assistantships Teaching Assistantships Scholarship and/or loans Graduate Assistantships Career or field-related internships Federal Work-Study Financial support for part-time students

Student Body

60

Total Graduate Students

26%

International Breakout (representing other countries)

Race/Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino	6.67%
Black or African American	8.33%
White or Caucasian	50%
American Indian or Alaska Native	0%
Asian	1.67%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	0%
Two or more races	1.67%
Unknown	5%

Gender

Male (88%)

Female (11%)

Faculty

39

Total faculty

Full-time - 31

Part-time - 8

Male (30)

Female (9)

Research

Focus of faculty research:	Astrophysics/space sciences; materials/condensed matter physics; biological physics/aerodynamics; applied mechanics; high energy physics
Externally sponsored research expenditures last year:	2,943,657

Location & Contact

Address 4400 University Drive, MSN 3F3
MSN 2F2
Fairfax, VA  22030
United States

Contact Dr. Paul So
Chair
Email: paso@gmu.edu
Phone: 709-993-4377

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