Online Physics Degree

By Erika Lasrado

Updated February 10, 2023
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Erika Lasrado

Erika has broad experience in counseling, psychology, and human resources. Although she has done a master’s in psychology, she is currently pursuing a master’s in educational psychology to change careers. Erika is a foodie and reader and loves to research and write about various topics when time permits.

Degrees

Master of Psychology, Master of Educational Psychology

Areas of Expertise & Credentials

None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.

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The study of motion, matter, energy, and force is known as Physics. It is a branch of science that explores the makeup of the universe, including thermodynamics, electromagnetism, mechanics, optics, nuclear physics, acoustics, radiation, and more. Individuals who want to study and experience instrumentation, measurement processes, and experimental techniques while developing analytical, computational, and mathematical skills are best suited to pursue a physics bachelor’s degree. The online bachelor’s degree in physics provides a solid foundation for students in physics and prepares them to enter graduate school or take up careers in various areas such as health physics, patent and intellectual law, entrepreneurship, medicine, business, and research. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics predicts a growth of 8% in the overall employment of physicists between 2020 and 2030. This guide will examine the various factors of an online physics degree program, including the curriculum, specialization options, careers, accreditation, and more.

Best Online Physics
Degree Programs

Before applying to colleges, students must select institutions ranked in terms of quality and reputation. Prospective students must consider various factors such as location, faculty, fees, support services, and so on, before applying for a physics degree online.  After comparing many colleges and programs nationwide against these and other factors, Find Best Degrees (FBD) teams came up with the following ranking of the best college for physics: *

Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page

What to Expect from the Online
Physics Degree Programs

Degree Types offered in Online
Physics Degree Programs

Areas of Specialization in Online
Physics Degree Programs

Why should I get an Online
Physics Degree?

Free Courses Online Physics
Degree Students

There are several free courses on some topics in physics. Students should note that free courses are not accredited and do not lead to a bachelor’s degree or, in some instances, even a certificate. However, they do help in gaining some additional knowledge on a specific topic. Here are some sites offering free physics courses:

CourseProvided byDescription
Various Topics Related to PhysicsEdXEdX offers some free courses in physics like plasma physics, quantum mechanics, AP Physics 1, and so on.
Various Topics Related to PhysicsCourseraSome free courses in physics offered by Coursera are – Introduction to mechanics, introduction to physics, understanding modern physics, exploring quantum physics, etc.
Various Topics Related to PhysicsMIT OpenCourseWareUndergraduate courses are offered by MIT OpenCourseWare on various topics in physics. Courses include Classical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Vibration and waves, Relativity, and so on.

How to get into the Online Physics
Degree Programs?

How Long does it take to complete Online
Physics Degree Programs

Accelerated Online Physics
Degree Programs

Some schools offer accelerated tracks, which allow students to graduate in less time. Transfer credits are recognized by some programs for general education requirements if the candidate transfers from another school, such as a community college. This can help the student complete their program faster. Typically, most accelerated physics degree online programs combine a bachelors and a master’s degree, which can be completed in 4+1 years instead of the usual 4+2. Here are some schools offering the accelerated physics bachelor’s degree online:

University of Colorado Boulder

The department of physics at the University of Colorado-Boulder offers an accelerated degree program for physics majors. This program is known as Bachelor’s-Accelerated Masters (BAM), where they can finish their terminal master’s degree. Typically, students need to complete 75 hours of coursework for them to be eligible for the BAM program.

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers an accelerated degree in physics. Students can finish both their BS and MS in physics in 5 years. They will need 125 to 145 credit hours to complete their program.

Temple University

Temple University offers a Bachelors of Arts in Physics and Master of Science in Physics program. Students can complete their master’s degree in one year and apply for their master’s degree during the senior year of their undergraduate program.

Accreditations for Online Physics
Degree Programs

How to Pay for Online Physics
Degree Programs?

Scholarships for Online Physics
Degree Students

Students seeking external sources of money to cover some of their educational costs should consider applying for scholarships. Various universities, associations, and external organizations offer scholarships to students based on their eligibility. Here are a few scholarships awarded to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics:

Scholarship Description Amount/AwardApplication Deadline
Society of Physics Students (SPS) ScholarshipsThe Society of Physics Students (SPS) offers several scholarships to undergraduate students in physics, such as the SPS Leadership Scholarships, Herbert Levey Memorial Scholarship, Peggy-Dixon Two-Year Scholarship, and more.$2,000 to 2,500March 15, annually
Gladys Carol ScholarshipsUndergraduate level students enrolled in a full-time STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program at an accredited, non-profit public or private four-year college or university can apply for the Gladys Carol Scholarships.Up to $5,000 across 2 yearsOpens January 1, 2023 | Deadline: TBA
Rubber Division American Chemical Society (ACS) ScholarshipsThe Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society offers two undergraduate scholarships, a student award in honor of a close friend of the organization, and a prize for a professional currently employed in the sector, to students striving to maintain excellence in STEM.$5,000 x 2 Nos.TBA

FAQs Related to the Online Physics
Degree Programs

Where can I do a physics degree?

How hard is a degree in physics?

How long is a physics bachelor’s degree?

How much does a physics degree cost?

What can you do with a bachelor’s in physics?

Is a physics bachelor’s degree online?

How to get a bachelors in physics? Do colleges require students to have a physics background?

Do colleges require students to have a physics background?

Should I study engineering or physics? Can you become an engineer with a physics degree?

Career Opportunities and Salaries after
Online Physics Degrees

Certifications and Licensing for Online
Physics Degree Students

Additional Resources for Online
Physics Degree Students

Author Bio:

Erika Lasrado

Erika has broad experience in counseling, psychology, and human resources. Although she has done a master’s in psychology, she is currently pursuing a master’s in educational psychology to change careers. Erika is a foodie and reader and loves to research and write about various topics when time permits.

Degrees

Master of Psychology, Master of Educational Psychology

Areas of Expertise & Credentials

None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.

Disclaimer:

The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners. | Page last updated: Dec 2023.