The Ph.D. program requires 60 credits, including dissertation research. Candidates for the degree must pass an oral comprehensive examination and a doctoral research admission examination. 

Visit the graduate academic catalog and Doctorate in Physics degree pathway for complete program details and course descriptions.

UMass Lowell's physics Ph.D. program prepares graduates for positions in academia, national laboratories, government agencies, major medical facilities and industry. Recent graduates have worked at: 

• Argonne National Lab
• Boston University
• Duke University
• Harvard University
• Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Los Alamos National Lab
• Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
• U.S. Department of Energy

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements for admission, applicants for the Ph.D. in Physics program are expected to have a sound background in intermediate-level mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, and modern physics.

For complete Admission Requirements, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Application Process

For a list of application materials and guidelines, please visit the Sciences Admissions Requirements.

The Physics Department strives to provide full financial support for all admitted Ph.D. students. 

• The first two years are typically funded through Teaching Assistantships (TA) plus summer research support, while funding for subsequent years are through Research Assistantships (RA). 
• As of fall 2023, the total compensation package for a UMass Lowell first-year out-of-state physics Ph.D. student is valued at up to $57,750. This includes a 12-month stipend of up to $30,000, a full waiver of tuition and operating fees, plus 80 percent of student health insurance costs. 

Visit Tuition & Aid for Graduate Programs.