Begin your road to a doctoral program or a technical job in research and development with a master's in physics from CSUN.
Why Earn a Master's in Physics?
A master's in physics provides the research skills you'll need to thrive in a doctoral program, and the analytical skills valued by industry. This advanced degree opens the door to a wide variety of careers. Physics grads find work in engineering, computer programming, teaching at the community college level and more.
As a graduate student in physics, you'll have the chance to conduct original research. You might concentrate on theoretical questions, such as the origin of the universe. Or you could apply your knowledge of physics to focus on everyday challenges, such as building faster computers.
Why Study Physics at CSUN?
Build Your Research Skills
CSUN's faculty specialize in astrophysics, biophysics and condensed matter physics. You'll have the chance to work with faculty who are leaders in their fields, while publishing in peer-reviewed publications and presenting at national conferences.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities
Researchers from other disciplines have embraced physics to solve new problems. You can work with researchers in experimental biophysics, bio-physical chemistry, and biochemistry at our Center for Supramolecular Studies, which is backed by funding from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations.
And at the W.M. Keck Computational Materials Theory Center, you'll collaborate with experimental scientists and industrial engineers to design new materials and improve existing ones.
San Fernando Observatory
Astronomers can gather data on the sun without leaving campus at the San Fernando Observatory, which was rebuilt in 2016. This facility studies the relationship of magnetic fields to sunspots and other solar activity, as well as other solar phenomena.
Sweat the Small Stuff
Journey into the still-mysterious realm of quantum physics at PREM, the Partnership for Research and Education in Materials. This joint program between CSUN and Princeton University's Center for Complex Materials opens doors to careers in nanoscale science.
Lifetime Support
The support you get after your academic career can be as important as the help you receive to make it happen. Many CSUN students qualify for financial assistance such as tuition fee waivers, and paid positions as teaching associates or graduate and research assistants.
What You'll Learn
Every student in the master's program in physics takes a core curriculum of four classes: Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory, Statistical Physics and Quantum Mechanics.
Further study includes electives in topics such as thermodynamics, solid state physics, astronomy, astrophysics and more.
All master's students in physics complete either a thesis or a written comprehensive exam.
Careers & Outcomes
A master of science in physics will prepare you for doctoral programs in physics or for more technical jobs in research and development.
Employers of recent alumni include:
- Northrop Grumman
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- College of the Canyons
- Moorpark College
- West Los Angeles College
- Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
Graduates of the master's program in physics find jobs in fields including:
- Academia
- Teaching
Catching rays since the 1960s.
Access to CSUN's very own solar observatory lets physics students and faculty study the sun right on campus. The San Fernando Observatory provides crucial observations about solar-flare activity. Students also have access to the new, Hawaii-based Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the world's largest.
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to CSUN as a master’s student, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Master of Science in Physics.
- Apply to both the university and the specific graduate program of interest.
Learn more about applying for a master's program at CSUN.