APS Bridge Program

Many talented students with physics bachelor's degrees don't continue on to graduate programs. The Bridge Program aims to change that, creating better access and support for everyone.

The APS Bridge Program provides pathways to graduate program acceptance, helping qualified students who might otherwise not continue their physics education. Through our partnerships and member institutions, we work to place students in supportive physics master’s and Ph.D. programs that foster academic success for all.

Students joining the Bridge Program

The bridge program is open to all students, with a particular focus on students from groups who have traditionally less participation in physics. Students who identify as a member of an underrepresented group within physics are especially encouraged to apply.

Eligible students should:

• Seek to pursue a graduate degree in physics
• Have a bachelor's degree or master's degree in physics or closely related discipline, such as biophysics, applied physics, engineering physics, or astrophysics
• Completed core physics class requirements, such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, classical mechanics, and thermodynamics or statistical mechanics
• Have not received a letter of acceptance from a graduate program, either a master's program if the student has a bachelor's degree or a doctoral program if the student has a master's degree
• Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or part of the DACA program

Students who have been accepted to a doctoral program in physics are not eligible for participation in the Bridge Program.

Improve access to physics graduate education

You can support physics students by becoming a Bridge Program member and advancing best practices for creating welcoming environments. Then, you can become a Bridge Program partner, broadening physics participation and potentially accepting Bridge students into your graduate program.

Member institutions

Bridge Program member institutions make up a network that shares innovative practices, learns from leaders, and promotes physics for all. Our goal is to ensure that everyone who wants to pursue physics can find their place in the community.

Bridge Program membership is your first step to becoming a partner institution and accepting Bridge Program students.

Join the Bridge Program member network

Partner institutions

Bridge Program partners are members institutions that have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for all students, and are ready to take the next step and potentially accept Bridge Program students.

Learn more about Bridge Program partnership

Hire Bridge Program participants and graduates

Employers seeking skilled students and recent graduates with the science knowledge and critical thinking skills that a physics education provides can recruit interns and employees through the APS Bridge Program.

Email the APS Bridge Program team to learn more about employer opportunities.

Thank you to our alliance supporters

The APS Bridge Program is proud to be part of the Inclusive Graduate Education Network (IGEN). IGEN is an alliance of STEM organizations, backed by the National Science Foundation, dedicated to increasing participation in the physical sciences by making graduate education accessible to students from a broad range of backgrounds.

Contact the APS Bridge Program

If you have questions or would like more information, we encourage you to email the APS Bridge Program team.