Location:

Rapid City, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Physics

Program Overview

Program Description:

The mission of physics graduate program is to provide students with quality graduate instruction and research experience suitable in many physics related careers. Required coursework in physics along with elective courses selected from other disciplines such as mathematics, computer science, chemistry, and engineering support a number of career options in industry, education, and applied research. Graduates with this degree may also pursue a PhD degree in physics. Areas of research concentration include astrophysics, condensed matter, materials science, nuclear and elementary particle physics, and theoretical physics. You can find a link to the PhD Physics program overview here. Available Options for Degrees A (thesis) and B (non-thesis). Option A requires a thesis based on research, while Option B substitutes additional coursework and a research paper/project for the thesis requirement. The nonthesis options are deemed appropriate for students who do not require PhD preparation in physics in order to be successful in their careers. Examples of career tracks not requiring study in physics beyond the master’s level include medical physics, science education at the K-12 and “community college” level, as well as various industrial applications. While deemed less appropriate for students advancing to doctoral study in physics, the non-thesis options are a viable and even preferred course of study for some students. Students should expect that completion of an MS degree will take two academic years of full-time study. For more information on this degree, please see the catalog on the program website.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) North Central Association.

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

• Complete the application format on our Graduate Education website. • Pay the $35.00 application fee. • Official transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended, including evidence of your bachelor’s degree if applicable. Transcripts must be mailed directly to SDSM&T by the issuing institution. Email copies are not accepted. A GPA of 3.0 is recommended; students with exceptional ability may apply with less than 3.0 GPA. • One page statement of purpose/personal statement of goals and research interests. • GRE score report: required . The SDSM&T school code is 6652. Scores of 50% or higher are recommended; strong quantitative scores are expected. • Three letters of recommendation. Should be submitted at the time of the online application. However can be submitted via email or postal mail.

International Requirements:

In addition to the requirements above, International students must have: • Third party foreign transcript evaluation for all foreign institutions attended, including evidence of your bachelor’s degree if applicable. Effective August 15, 2012, SDSM&T requires a course-by-course evaluation report sent directly to us from the evaluating institution. We will only accept evaluation reports from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) or World Education Services (WES). If you use ECE, order a catalog match report. If you use WES, order a course by course report. • Evidence of English proficiency, with the exception of applicants from countries where English is the native language. Applicants who have a prior degree from a university in the U.S. may be considered for exemption. Note that Engineering Management will only consider applications meeting the upper level score criteria.