Our graduate students are changing the world. Explore our programs and learn which groups are accepting new students.
Find answers to common questions about our graduate education programs.
No, graduate enrollment is a two-step process here. The PSFC is not a degree-granting department, which means you cannot apply or enroll directly at the Center. You must apply and be admitted to one of our seven affiliated departments, each of which has its own admission procedure and requirements. Most of our students reside in Nuclear Science and Engineering or Physics, but don’t hesitate to apply through the department that best fits your interests. Each course offers a number of relevant classes, many of which are taught at the PSFC by PSFC-affiliated professors. Visit each department’s website for a list of classes and topics offered through the course:
Course 2: Mechanical Engineering
Course 3: Materials Science and Engineering
Course 6: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Course 8: Physics
Course 10: Chemical Engineering
Course 16: Aero & Astro
Course 22: Nuclear Science & Engineering
Yes! After you are admitted to one of our affiliated departments and accepted into a lab, you can complete your graduate research at the PSFC.
There are limited opportunities for exchange and visiting students through central MIT and PSFC researchers. Please refer to this Graduate Admissions website page for more information. Some researchers have limited funding to sponsor visiting students; availability is on a case-by-case basis.
You can find a list of labs that are accepting new graduate students here [anchor link]. Faculty members profiles on our People page also make note of who has open positions. Please contact faculty directly if you are interested in their project, and remember, you must first be admitted to one of the PSFC’s seven affiliated departments and then the lab to study and conduct graduate research at the PSFC.
Please refer to the Institute’s tuition and financial aid pages for information about costs and scholarship opportunities for graduate students. Each research project will have differing funding structures, so it’s important you address this with your potential thesis advisor.
Admissions requirements differ by department. All seven affiliated departments require transcripts, a statement of objectives, and three references. Departments also require English proficiency scores for international applicants, but have different requirements for which tests are accepted. Some departments have an optional GRE submission, but none of the PSFC’s affiliated departments require GRE scores for admission.
Contact information for faculty can be found on our People page. Each graduate department also has general information contacts on their respective websites. If you have other questions, please contact info@psfc.mit.edu.
Typically, you need to start by contacting the department within which you’d like to reside. You can also email us and we’ll do our best to connect you with the information you need.
