|
We would like to invite prospective students to apply for admission to our programs. We encourage you to apply early because admission to the College is competitive and only a limited number of students are accepted each year. We welcome applications from women, members of ethnic and racial minority groups, and from persons with disabilities.
Applying to the BS Degree Program
Information about undergraduate admission to the University of Arizona including admissions requirements and online application are available at http://admissions.arizona.edu. For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Optical Sciences and Engineering, contact Joseph McCollough, Academic Advisor, jmccollough@optics.arizona.edu, or by telephone 520-626-3689.
Applying to the Professional Graduate Certificate in Optical Sciences
Prospective Certificate applicants should hold a Bachelor of Science degree in optics, engineering, physics, mathematics or a related field. Admitted certificate students complete the requirements part or full-time, on campus, or by taking distance classes. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. Applicants must submit transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a CV/resume to the College of Optical Sciences as well as complete both the College of Optical Sciences Certificate application form and apply to the University of Arizona Graduate College. International applicants must also submit a TOEFL Score Report of at least 550 for paper based, 213 for computer based, or 80 for internet based test. Students admitted to the Certificate program have the option of completing the courses on campus or by enrolling in optical sciences distance courses through University of Arizona Continuing Education. The deadline for fall semester Certificate Applications is US Citizens July 1, International Students June 1; and for spring semester admissions US Citizens November 1 and International Students October 1. International applicants planning to be on campus should apply early to allow sufficient time for I20/Visa. For more information about the Professional Certificate email the Graduate Academic Advisor Gail Varin or call 520.626.0888.
Applying to the MS or the PhD Program
Prospective MS or PhD applicants should hold a Bachelor of Science degree in optics, engineering, physics, mathematics or a related field. Before beginning graduate level coursework, students should have taken four semesters of calculus including differential equations, two or more semesters of college physics and an electromagnetism course as part of their undergraduate degree coursework. You may apply for admission to either the MS or PhD program. If you desire to eventually earn a PhD, you can apply for admission directly into the PhD program without getting a master's degree first. It is also possible to obtain your MS degree while your PhD program is in progress. Print an application packet for mailing, or submit an electronic M.S. or Ph.D. application, or to receive an application packet by mail complete the on-line request form. If you have questions, email the Graduate Student Academic Advisor Gail Varin or call 520.626.0888.
Applying to the MS in Optical Science + MBA Dual Degree
Applicants must apply to and be accepted by both the College of Optical Sciences and the Eller College. Applicants should complete and submit the Optical Sciences MS application packet above, and submit separate application to the Eller College. The Eller College application, requirements and admissions information is available at http://www.eller.arizona.edu/. Applicants applying to the dual degree program must submit application to the Graduate College for both programs and pay two application fees. For more information about the Optics MS degree, email the Graduate Student Academic Advisor Gail Varin or call 520.626.0888.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submission of all College of Optical Sciences' application materials for fall admissions of international applicants (non-U.S. citizenship) is December 1st. For U.S. applicants (U.S. citizenship), the deadline is January 1st if you require an assistantship, and January 15 otherwise. Due to the large number of applications received each year, early submission (by about December 15) of U.S. applicants is encouraged to enhance your chances of admissions and funding. The College of Optical Sciences does not generally admit new students for the spring semester, except in special cases where the applicant is already taking optical sciences courses and does not require financial aid. Certificate Program application deadlines are July 1 (fall) and November 1 (spring). International applicants planning to complete the Certificate Program on campus should submit application a month earlier to allow sufficient time for admissions and I20/Visa.
For further information about certificate or graduate program application procedures, contact the Graduate Student Academic Advisor Gail Varin by email or by telephone at 520.626.0888.
Change of Degree Program
If you are a currently enrolled graduate student in another department or college at the University of Arizona and you want to apply to the College of Optical Sciences, you need to complete a College of Optical Sciences application and submit an application to the Graduate College together with payment of the application fee. If you are a current College of Optical Sciences graduate student and wish to change your degree program, you must complete and submit a Change of Degree Program form and two letters of recommendation. Admission is competitive since change-of-degree applications are treated in the same way as new applications to the M.S. and Ph.D. program.
Non-Degree Graduate Admissions
Individuals holding a bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from a college or university which grants degrees recognized by the University of Arizona, may enroll in graduate-level courses without being admitted to a graduate degree program. Such students may enroll in graduate-level course work as their qualifications and performance permit. Up to 15 units of graduate credit, earned in non-degree status and/or transferred from other institutions, may be allowed for use toward an advanced degree once the student obtains regular admission to a degree program. International applicants requiring a student visa are not eligible for graduate non-degree admission.
More information and online application for domestic (U.S. citizenship) non-degree graduate application is available at http://grad.arizona.edu/prospective-students/apply-now Up to fifteen(15) units of distance graduate credit can be transferred toward an advanced degree once the student obtains regular admissions to a degree program.
Graduate Application Status
When your application is received at the College of Optical Sciences, you will receive an e-mail acknowledgment. You can monitor the status and progression of your application at any time by entering your e-mail address on the submission form below. You will receive an automatic e-mail of your application status (complete, incomplete, or under review by Admissions Committee). If your application is incomplete, the e-mail will include a list of the documents required to complete your application. Admissions Committee recommendations for admissions, or denials will not be included in the application status. Applicants will be notified by e-mail individually of Admission Committee decisions.
Please note if your email address changes during the application process, you will not be able to receive an automatic e-mail of your application status.
The Admissions Committee's admissions process begins in mid-January and continues through March. Only complete applications are forwarded to the Admissions Committee. To expedite the process, applicants are encouraged to submit all required documents by the deadline.
Please note: We do not generally admit new students in the spring semester; therefore, the automated application status response will not address the timeline for spring application review. The deadline to submit an application for spring admissions consideration is October 1. The Admissions Committee generally reviews spring applications in early October with notification to applicants by November 1.
If you have concerns or questions about the status of your application, email Gail Varin gail@optics.arizona.edu for an update.
|