大多数学生进入我们系的目的是获得博士学位。学位。对于典型的成功博士学位。学生，获得硕士学位是该过程中的可选步骤。在完成硕士学位后选择退出课程的学生通常在各种追求方面都做得很好，包括技术就业，研究支持或教育。至少30个学分，包括任何三门天文学研究生核心课程。论文：系可能会酌情决定论文。放弃论文要求的学生仍必须完成一个证明研究水平的项目。期末考试：必须通过口试，内容涵盖A450-452级别的一般天文学，针对该学位的核心课程以及论文研究。
The Indiana University Astronomy department offers three graduate degrees, a Ph.D. in Astronomy, a Ph.D. in Astrophysics (offered in collaboration with the IU Physics Department), and a Master of Arts in Astronomy. Graduate students take courses and begin research projects with faculty during their first two years, and then undertake Ph.D. dissertation research after passing the qualifying exam at the end of their second year.<br><br>Typically 2-3 students graduate each year with advanced degrees, with a median time to the Ph.D. degree just under six years. Many students complete dissertations in observational astronomy using the 3.5-m WIYN observatory at Kitt Peak in Arizona, while others complete dissertations in theory or computational astrophysics or high energy astrophysics.<br><br>The department supports an active public outreach program, hosting open nights and tours at the Kirkwood Observatory, frequent school visits, and occasional public events, and our graduate students play a key role in maintaining this program. Students all gain teaching experience during their graduate careers at IU, and can teach courses independently during the