About the Bridge Program

Increasing physics PhDs awarded to underrepresented students in physics, including Black, Latino, and Indigenous students

Bridge Program goals

The Bridge Programs' goals are to:

  • Increase the physics PhDs awarded to underrepresented students to match the fraction of physics bachelor's degrees granted to these groups
  • Foster widespread adoption of inclusive practices in physics graduate programs to reduce inequities and benefit all students
  • Build knowledge of inclusive practices and institutional change strategies
  • Support underrepresented students throughout their educational careers to professional employment through partnerships with aligned programs and organizations

Statistics on underrepresented groups in physics

APS tracks statistics on physics education, including degrees in physics earned by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups within STEM. The Bridge Program and other APS initiatives seek to increase physics and related degrees earned by underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

Bachelor's degrees awarded to underrepresented minorities

Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups now make up about a third of the college-age U.S. citizens, yet physics graduates less than 12% of bachelor physics degrees to all of these groups combined.

Master's degrees awarded to underrepresented minorities

There are opportunities to assist underrepresented groups in physics in furthering their education on to Master's degrees.

Doctorate degrees awarded to underrepresented minorities

Only about 6% of P.h.D.s in physics are granted to underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

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