Application Requirements and Deadlines for the M.S. Programs

Your completed application for the course-based M.S. program requires:

1. FINANCIAL STATEMENT -  must be completed if you are applying as an international student. The "International Student Financial Statement" is mandatory for visa eligibility, to demonstrate  that you have the financial resources to support yourself while in graduate school.
2. APPLICATION FORM - Instructions and link to on-line application can be found on the Graduate School website
3. APPLICATION FEE: $85
4. THREE ACADEMIC RECOMMENDATIONS - The Graduate School will e-mail referees with instructions for electronically submitting recommendations. Note that for Accelerated MS students, one of these letters should be from your undergraduate advisor, and it should attest that your planned MS degree can be completed within a year of completing your undergraduate degree.
5. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS of all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (1 copy of each). Unofficial copies are acceptable for review purposes, however official transcripts will be required if enrolling.
6. OFFICIAL GRE scores, both General and Physics, are not required for the M.S. program but may optionally be submitted. 
7. TOEFL TEST SCORES for international applicants: Unofficial scores are acceptable for review purposes, however official score reports will be required if enrolling.
8. DEADLINES
9. Regular MS program:
   • Apply by November 30 for a December decision.
   • Apply by April 1 for a May decision.
10. Accelerated MS program (for current UMass Physics students only):
    • For Juniors, application review begins on November 30, with a deadline for application of April 1 of your Junior year.
    • For Seniors, application review begins on November 30. Your application must be received by January 3 or you cannot be considered for the accelerated program.

Mistakes and omissions can delay consideration of your application:

1. If you do not SEND THE APPLICATION FEE, or send the wrong fee, your application will be held by the Graduate School until the proper fee is paid.
2. Failure to take any required test and have scores reported to us will result in an incomplete application. If the TOEFL score is required (international student) and not received, the Graduate Admissions Committee in Physics will not consider the application. 
3. Unofficial copies of your application materials (transcripts and test scores) for review may be uploaded with your application.  In order to be considered official, transcripts must be submitted, either electronically or in paper format, directly to the Graduate Student Service Center by each institution’s registrar.  Please see the instructions to "Submit Official Transcripts" on this page: https://www.umass.edu/graduate/apply/after-you-apply
4. COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS EARLY! The Admissions Office is very busy before the deadline. Avoid delays by having your application arrive early.