The Accelerated Master’s Platform (AMP) in Physics allows current OSU physics majors to take graduate classes in physics, apply those credits to their current undergraduate degree, and also transfer them to the M.S. graduate program at OSU. Up to twelve graduate credits will count towards a bachelor's degree and transfer to the physics master's program. With careful planning, students can complete a master’s degree within one year of finishing their bachelor's degree.

Applications and advising

All successful applicants will have completed at least the junior core courses in physics and have an AMP advisor who is also their research mentor; see below for GPA and other requirements. Any physics graduate faculty member can serve as an AMP advisor.

The Head Undergraduate Advisor in in Physics serves as the AMP Coordinator.

Admission requirements

• An OSU GPA of at least 3.25.
• Completion of 105 credits.
• Junior status (at least) in an undergraduate degree program in physics. (Post-baccalaureate students are ineligible.)
• Completion of PH 315, PH 335, PH 422, PH 424, PH 425 and PH 426
• A GPA of at least 3.5 in all upper-division physics courses.
• Three letters of reference, including one from a graduate faculty member in physics who agrees to be the AMP advisor.
• Other documents and requirements required by the Graduate School: A completed online application on the Graduate School website, a statement of objectives, and a tentative plan of study.

Admission process

• ALL materials must be submitted one month before the start of any term.
• Complete the online application via the Graduate School website. (When you select the Start A New Application on the drop-down menu, choose the last item: "Have a code?" and enter the code. You will need to see head undergraduate physics advisor to get the application code.)
• Admission is selective; not all of the applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be accepted.
• A decision can be expected one week before the start of the term.

Typical timeline

Other timelines are possible, see head undergraduate physics advisor for more details

Junior year (typically the year you apply to AMP)

Complete required courses, find an advisor and apply.

• Complete all admission requirements by the end of spring term of junior year
• Obtain a commitment from a member of the physics graduate faculty to serve as your AMP mentor
• Apply to AMP before senior year.

Senior year (typically the first year in AMP)

Earn graduate credits (22 credits can be transferred to your MS program), start research, and complete your B.S. degree.

• By the end of the first week of fall, develop a course plan with your AMP advisor and obtain approval from the Undergraduate Head Advisor and Graduate Head Advisor. Most course plans will include involvement in meaningful research starting in fall term.
• Complete up to 22 credits of non-blanket graduate-level physics courses (taken for a letter grade) that can be applied toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
  A highly recommended choice is to choose from this list:
  • PH 531, PH 541, PH 551, PH 555, PH 575, PH 581, PH 585, PH 591, PH 595.
• Participants must earn a grade of at least B in each course of the 22 credits applied to both the baccalaureate and graduate degree programs.

Year 1 of graduate program

• Transfer up to 22 credits towards your M.S. degree, take graduate courses as required and do research.