How to Apply to Physics at Arizona State University: In The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a BS in Physics, a BA in Physics and a BS in Biophysics, No Extra Admission Requirement in the Department, and a Critical-Course GPA to Change Into the Major, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

At Arizona State University (ASU), undergraduate physics is offered by the Department of Physics in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, mainly on the Tempe campus. Here is what you need to know, based on the Office of Admission, ASU’s Degree Search program pages and the physics department’s website, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Mathematics, chemistry, engineering and other majors are not covered here.

1. Degrees and options

• Physics, BS: Degree Search lists 120 credit hours, “Substantial” math intensity, and MAT 270 (Calculus with Analytic Geometry I) or MAT 265 (Calculus for Engineers I) as the first required math course; locations are Tempe, online and ASU Local. The page says the BS builds a foundation in physical science and mathematics and prepares students for graduate study in physics, other sciences or engineering. Sample courses are PHY 150 Physics I, PHY 151 Physics II, PHY 201 Mathematical Methods in Physics I, PHY 252 Physics III, PHY 302 Mathematical Methods in Physics II and PHY 310 Classical Particles, Fields, and Matter I. The page describes ASU’s “studio physics”, in which students solve problems in small groups in lower-division courses, and computational training.
• Physics, BA: also 120 credit hours, starting with MAT 270 or MAT 265, at Tempe, online and ASU Local. The page describes it as a flexible and efficient option for a liberal arts degree with a broad knowledge of physics, and as ideal for students completing two degrees with physics as the second.
• Biophysics, BS: uses the methods and theories of physics to study biological systems; 120 credit hours, first math course MAT 265, at Tempe, online and ASU Local. Sample courses include PHY 150, 151, 201 and 252 together with BIO 312 and BIO 360.
• Astrophysics option: Degree Search lists Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics), BS, also in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and offered through the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Tempe, 120 credit hours, first math course MAT 270; the page mentions a capstone project and building instruments.
• Physics (Secondary Education), BS: the Degree Search page says ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program.
• Concurrent degrees and accelerated programme: the pages say students can pursue concurrent degrees (a double major), though some combinations are not possible because of curriculum overlap; the Physics BS page also lists an accelerated bachelor’s plus master’s programme with Materials Science and Engineering (MS) in as little as five years, normally approved in the junior year. The Physics BS is STEM-OPT extension eligible (the page says F-1 students can extend US work experience by 24 months).
• Curriculum checksheets: the checksheet (required-course list) for each program was not read in this guide; check the website.

2. How admission works: choose the major when you apply to ASU; no extra admission line in the department

• At application: the physics department’s undergraduate admission page says there are no additional admission requirements for entry into its undergraduate programs beyond the university’s admission requirements, though requirements may vary for freshmen, transfer students and international students. The Degree Search pages for the physics degrees also say all students must meet the general university admission requirements. University-level requirements are in sections 4 and 6.
• Changing into physics from another ASU major: Degree Search says current ASU students who want to change their major to the Physics BS should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 for all critical classes completed; for the Physics BA the figure is 2.00; for the Biophysics BS it is 2.50; for Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics) there are no additional requirements. Students use the Change of Major form. Which classes count as “critical classes” is not stated in the pages read; check the website.
• Advising: physics advisors serve physics majors and minors; first-year students (not online) are advised in Armstrong Hall, sophomore to senior Tempe students and all ASU Online physics majors book through My ASU, and prospective students who are not yet admitted can email the department. The department also offers a physics course recommendation form and same-day advising.
• Honors: Admission describes Barrett, The Honors College as an honors experience at all four ASU campuses and online; the physics department offers PHY 492 (thesis prep) and PHY 493 (thesis defense) for physics majors completing an honors thesis with a physics faculty member. Check Barrett’s website for its own requirements.

3. Prerequisites and course advice

• The university’s 16 competency courses: 4 years of English (non-ESL/ELL); 4 years of math (Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II and an advanced class for which Algebra II is a prerequisite); 3 years of laboratory science (one year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated science and physics); 2 years of social science (including 1 year of American history); 2 years of the same second language; 1 year of fine arts or career and technical education. Competencies may be met with high school work, college work or test scores; a minimum 2.00 in each area; admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas, but not in both math and laboratory science.
• Laboratory science detail: the competency page says three distinct lab science courses must be completed; high school courses (preferably biology, chemistry, earth science or physics), an integrated lab science course or an advanced lab science course (AP, higher-level IB, dual enrolment, or an honors course for which the previous lab science course is a prerequisite) can count, as can test scores (SAT II chemistry 600, biology 590, physics 620, or ACT science 20) or three transferable 4-credit college lab science courses.
• Mathematics: one of four years of high school math; ACT math 24 or SAT math 580; or one transferable 3-credit college math course requiring at least intermediate algebra. The first required math course for the Physics BS/BA is MAT 270 or MAT 265; math placement and course selection are not described in the pages read, so ask an advisor.
• Testing out of introductory physics: the department says students who want to test out of PHY 121 or PHY 131 complete a Comprehensive Examination request; the labs PHY 122 and PHY 132 must still be taken.
• AP/IB physics and calculus credit: the pages read do not say how AP/IB physics (Physics 1/2, C: Mechanics, C: Electricity & Magnetism) or calculus credit applies to physics requirements; ASU provides a Transfer Credit Guide, so check the website or ask an advisor.
• Undergraduate research: the department says physics majors can enrol in PHY 495 (Project Research) for credit for research with a physics faculty member, after securing a research instructor. The research page suggests emailing a professor with relevant skills, grades in recent math and physics courses and your interest, and lists an annual undergraduate research symposium, LEAP Scholars, NSF REU sites and Barrett funding. Whether a thesis or research is required for graduation is not stated in the pages read; see the checksheet.
• Physics competitions: how competitions such as USAPhO are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Rounds and deadlines (first-year, Admission page): the page’s “fall 2027 deadlines” block is dynamic content that is not in the text read; its FAQ says the application opens on or around 1 July each year and that 1 November is the priority admission date and 15 January the regular admission date, with earlier applications getting earlier decisions and more aid. The FAQ prints no year, so check that these are for fall 2027 entry. ASU’s FAFSA school code is 001081 and 15 January is the priority filing date.
• How to apply: through ASU’s own application or the Common App; only one application is needed and there is no preference. Neither requires an essay or personal statement. Self-reporting high school grades speeds up the decision.
• Application fee: $55 for Arizona residents, $85 for domestic non-residents, $75 for ASU Online and $90 for international non-residents; non-refundable.
• Transcripts: if you do not self-report grades, your high school must send an official transcript; college transcripts are required for any college credit.
• Recommendations: the pages read do not require recommendation letters.
• Testing: ACT/SAT scores are not required and may be submitted for course placement or as supplemental information.

5. US domestic applicants

• Admission standard (first-year, university level): meet the 16 competency courses and one of: top 25% of the graduating class; a 3.00 unweighted GPA in competency courses; ACT 22 (24 for non-residents); SAT 1120 (1180 for non-residents). Applicants who do not meet these may be reviewed individually. The page says some degree programs have higher requirements, to be checked in Degree Search; the physics program pages state the general requirements.
• Costs (2026-27 estimates): for Arizona residents the page gives average tuition and mandatory fees of $14,814 and itemises base tuition $12,177, tuition surcharge $350, Advanced Technology fee $200, undergraduate college fee (highest possible) $1,280, student-initiated fees $807, on-campus housing and food $18,819, books $1,320, travel $1,650 and personal $2,343, with a total of $38,946 as printed. For non-residents, tuition and fees are $39,262 and the printed total is $63,394.
• Resident aid: the page lists the Arizona Promise Program (Pell-eligible students; covers remaining tuition and fees, up to $14,215), the President Barack Obama Scholar Program and the College Attainment Grant (both Pell-eligible, covering tuition and fees), the New American University (NAMU) President’s Award ($9,000 per year, 2027-28 amount) and the University Grant ($3,000 per year, FAFSA required, household income $120,000 or less).
• Non-resident aid: the page lists NAMU President’s and Provost’s Awards ($15,500 to $17,500 per year), Academic Achievement, University and Dean’s Awards ($10,000 to $13,500) and the ASU Commitment Scholarship (up to $7,500); non-resident students are automatically considered for NAMU on admission.
• In-state guaranteed admission: not stated in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Academic requirements (international first-year): a 3.00 GPA from secondary school (a B or better, A = 4.00); three years of high school coursework (grades 9-11 if still in school, grades 10-12 if graduated); a completed high school diploma or certificate. International students who finished high school outside the US must meet two competencies: 4 years of math (Algebra I, geometry, Algebra II and a course requiring Algebra II) and 3 years of laboratory science (one year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated science and physics); those who attended four years of US high school meet the full competency requirements. ACT/SAT scores are optional.
• English requirements (international pages; physics is not listed separately): the page’s categories are the Cronkite School of Journalism, the Fulton Schools of Engineering, the BS in Nursing and “all other majors/colleges”. Physics (in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) is not one of the first three, so under the page’s categories the “all other” row applies; please confirm with ASU admission or Degree Search. That row: IELTS 6.0 (Academic, Online, UKVI or Indicator; General Training is not accepted); TOEFL iBT 61 for exams before 21 January 2026, and for exams on or after 21 January 2026 an overall 3.5 with each section at 3.5; Duolingo 95; PTE Academic 53 (PTE Academic Online is not accepted); Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) 170. TOEFL in a test centre, and Home Edition for exams on or after 21 January 2026, are accepted but not the Paper Edition; ASU’s TOEFL code is 4007. Scores must be no more than two years old at the start date; completing ASU’s Global Launch English programme is another route.
• English exemptions: US citizens and permanent residents, and citizens of countries on ASU’s English-speaking list, are exempt automatically; others need a form, for example 48 transferable credits from a US regionally accredited college with a GPA of 2.50 or higher (including six credits of first-year English), at least junior and senior year of US high school with two years of English and ACT English 23 or SAT EBRW 580, four years of US high school with four years of English, or a secondary or higher degree from a recognised international institution whose sole medium of instruction was English. ESL courses do not count.
• Conditional admission: ASU may offer conditional admission to international applicants who meet the academic and competency requirements but not the English requirement; the offer is good for up to three semesters.
• Application materials: application fee $90 ($75 for ASU Online); official transcripts and exam results sent directly by schools or exam boards, with certified English translations for documents not in English; ASU provides in-house credential evaluations at no extra cost and also considers course-by-course evaluations from ECE, FCSA, ACEI and Scholaro; all college work must be reported. After admission, apply for an I-20 for an F-1 or J-1 visa.
• Deadlines: the international first-year page prints only fall 2026 dates (priority deadline 15 January 2026, enrolment deposit 1 May 2026) and spring 2027 dates (priority deadline 1 November 2026, deposit 1 December 2026). Fall 2027 international first-year dates are not printed in the pages read; check the website. The first-year FAQ dates are in section 4.
• Costs (2026-27 international undergraduate estimate): base tuition $39,062, tuition surcharge $350, Advanced Technology fee $200, undergraduate college fees (highest possible) $2,190, student-initiated fees $807, on-campus housing and meals $18,819, books and supplies $1,320, travel $1,650, personal $2,343, health insurance $2,765 (the page says these are 2025-26 rates), and an international student fee of $400, with a total of $69,906 as printed.
• International scholarships: the page says international students do not qualify for federal and state aid (except eligible non-citizens); the NAMU merit scholarship goes to a limited number of academically strong international undergraduates (first-year and transfer F-1 students may be considered); colleges and departments also offer scholarships; private scholarships that do not require US citizenship may be available. Physics department scholarships are in section 8.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao and Chinese grades: the international first-year page has a drop-down of country-by-country requirements comparable to a US high school diploma (China is among the options) that shows the required documents only after a country is selected; this guide did not read that content. The pages read do not say whether the Gaokao is used or how, so this is not published in the pages read. Please contact ASU admission, or select China on the international first-year page.
• General requirements: the international requirements in section 6 apply: a 3.00 GPA, three years of high school coursework, a high school diploma, English proficiency and official transcripts with English translations sent directly by the school or exam board.
• International curricula: the country drop-down also has options for Cambridge International Education Assessment Results and the IB Diploma Programme; ask an advisor or use the transfer credit tool about physics course credit.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see sections 5 and 6.
• Physics department scholarships: the department says the ASU scholarship season runs from 1 October to 1 March, applications go through ASU’s Scholarship Universe portal (search “Physics”), and the awards below are for current physics undergraduate majors, posted to the student account in August. Listed are the Department of Physics General Award (about $500; physics or biophysics major, full-time, no GPA criterion), In Memory of Reba I. Wilson ($1,000; students entering community college or university nontraditionally, physics or biophysics, GPA 2.0), the John C. Wheatley Undergraduate Research Scholarship (about $1,800; sophomore or junior, GPA 3.00, preference to US citizens or permanent residents, with a faculty member willing to mentor), the Molecular Imaging Corporation Endowment (about $1,500; full-time, GPA 3.00, preference to students in undergraduate research), the Richard G. Stoner Memorial Scholarship (about $2,800), the Vesto M. Slipher Scholarship (about $1,500), the Wally Stoelzel Physics Scholarship (about $3,500; US citizens) and the William J. and Carol M. Motil Scholarship (about $1,300). Travel awards are available to full-time physics majors attending physics conferences or workshops, applied for at least three weeks before the event.
• Opportunities: student organisations include the Society of Physics Students, Sundial and Women in Physics; Degree Search says there are more than 300 study abroad programmes; the department offers undergraduate research and a research symposium.
• Outcomes: the Physics BS page says: “Graduates with a BS in physics have analytical and technical skills suitable for employment in areas such as data analytics, education, engineering, finance, information technology, materials science, science communication and more.” It adds that graduates are prepared for graduate or advanced study in astronomy, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physics. The page also lists related job titles (astronomer, engineering manager, nuclear engineer, physicist, physics professor, radiologist, scientist/biochemist, technical writer) with data from O*NET, noting that these are not necessarily entry-level; these are not ASU graduate statistics, and the pages read print no ASU physics employment data.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: applicants with 12 or more transferable post-high-school semester credits; fewer than 12 are treated as first-year applicants. Credits must come from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of C- or higher.
• Requirements: with 12-23 transferable credits, a 2.50 cumulative transfer GPA and the first-year admission requirements; with 24 or more, a 2.50 cumulative transfer GPA; with an associate degree or higher, a 2.00 cumulative GPA. The page says some programs have higher requirements, to be checked in Degree Search; the physics program pages state the general requirements.
• Applying and deadlines: ASU’s application or the Transfer Common App, one application only, same fee as first-year. Transfer admission is rolling with no “hard” deadlines and decisions typically within two to four weeks of completing the steps. The international transfer page lists a spring 2027 priority deadline of 1 October 2026 and a fall 2027 priority deadline of 15 January 2027, with the last day to issue an I-20/DS-2019 outside the US on 16 July 2027. Official transcripts from every institution attended are required, plus high school transcripts for applicants with fewer than 24 transferable credits.
• Physics-specific requirements: the pages read do not state calculus or physics sequence or GPA requirements for transfer students entering physics; the department says it has no admission requirements beyond the university’s.
• Credit transfer: ASU’s Transfer Credit Guide shows how courses transfer; the international transfer page says up to 64 credit hours can transfer from a regionally accredited community, junior or two-year college for courses with a C or better.
• Honors: Barrett has a two-year upper-division track for transfer students; see its website for requirements.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ASU application or Common App (one only); priority 1 November, regular 15 January (check the year); fee $55 (Arizona residents) or $85; no SAT/ACT and no essay required
• 16 competency courses; top 25%, 3.00 GPA, or ACT 22/SAT 1120 (24/1180 for non-residents)

International applicants (including China):

• 3.00 GPA, three years of high school coursework and a diploma; English scores (“all other majors” row: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 61 or 3.5 on the new scale, Duolingo 95, PTE 53); fee $90; official transcripts with English translations
• How the Gaokao is used is not published; ask Admission

After entry / changing in:

• Changing into the Physics BS or Biophysics BS needs a 2.50 critical-course GPA, and the Physics BA 2.00; research credit through PHY 495

Transfer students:

• 12+ transferable credits, 2.50 GPA (2.00 with an associate degree); rolling admission; international transfer fall 2027 priority 15 January 2027

Sources: Arizona State University, Degree Search: Physics BS; Degree Search: Physics BA; Degree Search: Biophysics BS; Degree Search: Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics) BS; Degree Search: Physics (Secondary Education) BS; The College: undergraduate degrees; Physics: undergraduate admission; Physics: undergraduate research; Physics: scholarships; Physics: academic advising; Colleges and schools; First-year admission requirements; Course competency requirements; International first-year admission; English proficiency for international undergraduates; Transfer admission; International transfer admission; International student costs; Out-of-state first-year costs; Arizona resident first-year costs. The international first-year page lists only fall 2026 (the previous cycle) and spring 2027 dates; check ASU for fall 2027 international first-year dates. Costs are 2026-27 estimates.