Admission is based on undergraduate and/or previous graduate grade-point averages, and performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and references. The Department of Physics requires the general GRE test and recommends the physics GRE test. New Mexico State University requires the TOEFL test for international applicants.

To apply for admission to NMSU and our physics program, please carefully follow the instructions below.

If you need financial support in the form of Graduate Assistantships, please complete the Physics Graduate Application for Financial Aid. You must also have 3 former instructors submit a letter of reference detailing your academic abilities. These forms must be mailed, to the Department of Physics, together with a copy of your transcript(s), a copy of your GRE Score Report, and a copy of your TOEFL Score Report. Please send inquiries about financial support to the Graduate Advisor, Vassili Papvassiliou, pvs@nmsu.edu. (addresses below)

Education Requirements

The Department of Physics offers both thesis and non-thesis M.S. programs. Requirements for both of these programs include: course work, and passing the written qualifying exam & oral final exam. The general time-frame for the M.S. program is about two years to completion.

The Ph.D. program requires additional course-work to the M.S. degree; passing qualifying, comprehensive & final exams, and writing a dissertation based on original research in an area of physics. The time required for completion of the Ph.D. program varies with the average about a 6 year completion rate.

More information about the requirements for physics M.S. and Ph.D. degrees can be found in the Department’s Graduate Student Requirements.

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Instructions

International applicants should:

• first apply for graduate admission through the Center for International Programs (CIP) at NMSU (step 1).
• apply for graduate admission to the Graduate School at NMSU (step 2 )
• as well as the Department of Physics (step 2).

If you need financial support in the form of a teaching or research assistantship, you will need to apply. (step 3A). Most of our current graduate students have full or partial financial support.

If you will be financing your graduate study ( partially or in whole) through a non-NMSU sponsor and/or using your own funds, please send the relevant official documentation to CIP (step 3B).

Application Deadlines:
• Fall Semester: March 1
• Spring Semester: October 1

(Applcations recieved after the above deadlines will be processed as time permits.)

Applications received after the above deadlines will be considered as time permits.

1. Graduate Admission, part 1(for all international applicants)

• Complete, sign and mail the International Student Application form.
• Include the US$35 Application Fee. (This is not refundable and will not be waived or deferred by CIP.)
• Your Official TOEFL Score Report msut be sent directly to NMSU. [The minimum TOEFL score: 530 (paper based) or 193 (computer based).]
• Include your Official Transcripts from all colleges/universities you have attended in the U.S. and overseas. (These documents must be sent directly from each college or university you have attended. These documents must bear the institution’s official stamp or seal. Photocopies will not be accepted.)
• Include a certified english translation of all foreign transcripts. Only certified photocopies will be accepted

Please mail the above documents to:
CIP/Foreign Admission
New Mexico State University
MSC 3567, P.O. Box 30001,
Las Cruces, NM, USA
88003-8001

2. Graduate Admission, part 2 (for all international applicants)

• Letters of reference must be written by 3 teachers, acquainted with your education and academic abilities, and mailed directly to the Head of the Department of Physics at NMSU.
• Mail a photocopy of all your college/university transcripts to the Department of Physics at NMSU.
• Mail a photocopy of your GRE and TOEFL reports to the Department of Physics at NMSU. The Department requires the general GRE test and recommends the physics GRE test.
• Please include any other information, that you wish us to consider, to package.

Please mail the above documents to:
Department of Physics
Attn. Graduate Advisor
New Mexico State University
MSC 3D, PO Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM, USA
88003-8001

3A. If you will need financial support from the Department of Physics:

• Complete, sign and mail the Application for Financial Support form to the Department of Physics at NMSU.

  3B. If you will finance graduate study through a non-NMSU sponsor and/or using your own funds:

• Send official documentation of amount and source of finances to CIP.