MS Graduate Program for Internal Pitt Students

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Physics and Astronomy MS Graduate Program as an internal pitt student. To apply for the MS program as a dual student we will be using the GradCas system. Thank you for all of your patience while we work through this process for internal candidates. Please contact the department at pagrad@pitt.edu if you plan to apply and you are already a graduate student in another program.

A complete application includes:

  • Online application (click for the only application details and link for GradCas)
  • Personal statement as part of the online application form. The statement can be very brief; basically a short explanation why this Philosophy PhD student is interested in a Physics MS.
  • We will gain access of unofficial transcripts at Pitt. Share any other transcripts you may like to share. 
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV). This should include a list of relevant textbooks used and chapters covered.
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • Application Fee


There are three ways to earn an MS degree:

  1. Submit no thesis and complete at least eight courses. Courses and directed study/research credit must be accrued to reach the minimum 30 credit hours. Four courses must be graduate core courses as listed above, each with a grade of B or better. Courses needed to accrue the necessary credit hours may include any number of 3000-level advanced graduate courses.
  2. Submit no thesis and complete at least six courses from among 2373, 25XX or beyond. In order to accrue the requisite 30 credits for graduation, the student may engage in Directed Study, Directed Research, or take additional, approved courses at the 3000-level.
  3. Submit a thesis and complete at least six courses. Four courses must be graduate core courses (2373, 2513, 2541, 2555, 2565, 2566) each with a grade of B or better. Courses and directed study/research credit must be accrued to reach the minimum 30 credit hours. Courses may include any number of 3000-level advanced graduate courses.
    Applicants interested in pursuing the thesis option are required to reach out to potential advisors before applying and to name in their application narrative the faculty member who has agreed to serve as their thesis advisor.