SJSU Catalog

Physics and Astronomy Department

Graduate Programs in Physics

Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing

Minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Division are outlined in the Admissions section of this catalog. The student must also have completed at least 24 semester units of upper division physics, or courses in related fields approved by the Physics Department graduate advisor.

Requirements for Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing

Students who meet minimum requirements for admission to the Graduate Division but who lack adequate preparation in physics may be admitted to conditionally classified standing. Students in conditionally classified standing will normally concentrate on undergraduate physics, but may enroll in any graduate course in physics for which they have the prerequisites.

Requirements for Admission to Candidacy for the Master's Degree

Students seeking admission to candidacy must meet the all-university requirements outlined in the Academic Requirements section of this catalog. In addition, students should also achieve a minimum score of 550 on the physics portion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

The University requires that all graduate students demonstrate competency in written English as a condition for advancement to candidacy. Please refer to the SJSU catalog section titled “Competency in Written English” for details. For graduate courses that meet the competency in written English requirement, please refer to the Graduate Studies and Research website at www.sjsu.edu/gradstudies. Competency in written English can also be demonstrated by passing either a 100W course or the waiver exam.