Physics (MS)
Teaching Emphasis
Share your curiosity about the universe with future physicists.
The Form and Function of Nature
Passionate STEM educators are in demand, and you can help fill the gap. Our fully online, non-thesis program gives you the tools and knowledge to succeed in the classroom. Improve your teaching skills through our pedagogical, scientific and mathematical courses designed for physics educators. Graduating from our program will position you to join a community of Texas educators and share teaching ideas and strategies. Our master’s degree fulfills the 18 hours of graduate physics credit required to teach at the community college level*. The opportunities to spread curiosity, innovation and STEM education to future generations are ever-expanding.
Resources
Access helpful information about the MS in Physics with teaching emphasis (MPTE) degree program and learn how to register for classes.
See Yourself Succeed with a Degree In Physics
Innovation and Discovery
Take on our mission to build a better Texas that is eager to compete in an interconnected world with creativity, ethical leadership and imagination. We don’t just discover the future, we make it.
Career Readiness
The College of Science and Engineering is a gateway to in-demand STEM careers projected to make up a significant portion of the U.S. and global economy.
Accomplished Faculty
Shape an innovative framework with an award-winning faculty including four Regents Professors, a highly selective honor for exemplary contributions to their university, community and the State of Texas.
Hands-On Experience
Our faculty will help you tackle complex challenges and discover solutions with hands-on research in various fields.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
A master's degree in physics with a teaching emphasis offers the opportunity to:
- Expand your knowledge of physics and earn the credentials required to teach at the community college level
- Pass along knowledge to future students by engaging in specialized classes on education theory and practice
- Utilize well equipped instructional and research laboratories and telescopes located at A&M-Commerce
Careers
Increase your value in education by earning a master’s degree in physics with teaching emphasis from A&M-Commerce.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
High School Physics Teacher – $60,320, 8% projected job growth through 2026
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2018
Internship opportunities
Internship experience provides the foundation employers are often looking for. Internships are an important part of your education experience. You will complete a students teaching internship. Our alternative certification program office will work with you to place you in a school district anywhere within Texas.
What You Will Learn
Our program introduces modern theories of physics and astronomy to STEM educators. You’ll learn how to take these theories and apply them to the high school classroom. Work with faculty who specialize in physics education research as you explore courses in classical mechanics, astronomy and astrophysics. Our goal is to equip you with the tools needed to introduce modern physics theories and concepts (post-1865). The world of physics is ever-expanding. New discoveries point us towards more questions and problems to solve. Stay current in physics research through exploring our master’s degree program.
Courses to Prepare You for Your Career
- Core courses include quantum universe for educators, physics mathematical methods for educators and thermodynamics for educators.
Featured Courses
Learn about the uncertainty principle, wave-particle duality and wave mechanics, and so much more!
You will learn the principles and applications of statistical thermodynamics, thermal and general interactions of macroscopic systems and parameter measurement, as well as the basic description of statistical mechanics and kinetic theory.
You will cover topics in solar system dynamics, stellar structure and evolution, galactic evolution and dynamics and cosmology and make use of projects based on citizen science initiatives such as the Zooniverse that opened up astronomical research participation to the public.
Student Profiles
Josh Proctor
This program has greatly improved my mathematical and conceptual understanding of physics. The classwork challenges me every week and gives me the confidence to challenge my students similarly.
More About Josh
Jennifer Oramous
Not only have I extended my knowledge, but my classroom has benefited too. I feel more equipped and confident to teach physics at a higher level and answer any questions students present to me.
More About Jennifer
Stephanie Strike
The professors work hard to ensure we understand the content. These classes not only challenge us to learn higher levels of physics but also teach us ways of incorporating these concepts into the high school classroom.
More About StephanieGraduate Program Cost
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.
Admission
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Physics, MS” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Provisional Status
After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator, [email protected] or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
Describe any previous research or teaching experience, your academic interests, and career goals in 300-600 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- View the schedule of classes.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Deadlines
- Fall admission consideration: June 1
- Spring admission consideration: October 15
- Summer admission consideration: March 15
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “Physics, MS” as your “Major.”
- Pay the $75 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to [email protected], unless otherwise specified below.
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator, [email protected] or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428
Describe any previous research or teaching experience, your academic interests and career goals in 300-600 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- View the schedule of classes.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
We are here to help!
Contact Us
- Department of Physics and Astronomy
- 903.886.5488
- 903.886.5480
- [email protected]
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011
