Application

Application Information

In order to help you work through the application process, we share our answers to the most frequently asked questions by prospective students. The list of required documents are included at the end of the
Q & A.

What are the application deadlines?

• For Ph.D. students: February 1 for Fall and Summer Semesters.  Application deadline for LCS and SCIED emphasis areas is December 15 for Fall-only admission.

• For Master's students: There is no deadline for admissions into the master's program.  It is a rolling admissions process.  However, it is suggested that students should apply at least eight weeks prior to the start of the semester they wish to attend.  Official transcripts should be sent directly to the C I program, as described in Step 5 below.Completed applications will be reviewed as they are received.

When are admission decisions reached?

For Master's applicants, we will email admission decisions approximately two weeks after the completed application is reviewed by appropriate faculty.

For Ph.D. students, admission decisions will be emailed one month after closing dates. Note that admission decisions and decisions for funding are separate. Funding decisions typically take place in April for the following year.

How many applicants do you expect to admit into the C&I Graduate Programs?

On average, seventy-five students are admitted each year.

Do you accept GRE or MAT scores?

We accept the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) for Master's and Doctoral students. Graduate Record Examination (GRE General Test) scores are preferred for Ph.D. applicants. Students applying for scholarships must submit GRE scores. Only scores from the past five years are acceptable. Penn State's Institution code is:  2660 and Department code is 3101.

How can I find out more information about international student admissions?

To learn more about the immigration processes, international student organizations, and other issues related to international admissions, please visit the University Office of Global Programs.

Must I take the TOEFL?

The language of instruction at Penn State is English.  International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below.  The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. TOEFL computer-based (CBT) scores and TOEFL paper-based (PBT) scores will be valid for two years after the date of test.  International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following:  Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United and States and Wales. Penn State's Institution Code: 2660

Can I be admitted provisionally?

Students can be admitted provisionally at the discretion of the emphasis area faculty. Conditions to be met for full admission will be listed in a decision letter. Ph.D. students must complete the conditions before taking a candidacy examination. Master's students have one semester to comply.

Can I apply for financial aid and student financial awards?

A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are available to incoming Ph.D. students. Assistantships include a tuition waiver, a student health plan, and a stipend for living expenses in return for research, teaching or supervision work for the Department. Be certain to mark the appropriate box on the C&I application form.

Scholarships and fellowships are also available for Master's and Doctoral students through the College and University. Be certain to mark the appropriate box on the C&I application form.

For more information on financial aid, go to:

Office of the Bursar

Office of Student Aid

College of Education Scholarships

Penn State Scholarships

How do I begin the application process?

Please submit the following:

1. Online Graduate School Application;

2. Non-refundable application fee, payable by credit card online or by check or money order payable to The Pennsylvania State University;
3. Two current letters of recommendation;
4. Resume’
5. Statement of your goals/objectives;
6. Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) (General test) test score report or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score report.  (GRE preferred for doctoral applicants.); Penn State Institution Code for GRE is 2660.
7. Two official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. (Penn State graduates do not need to submit official transcripts.);
8. A written review (approximately 300 words for Master's or 500 words for Doctoral) of a pertinent article or report published in a recent professional journal of your choice which deals with a contemporary educational issue. Please include a complete citation of the article selected and limit your summary of the article to one paragraph. Department faculty are most interested in your analysis of and professional response to the argument presented in the article. Attach a photocopy of the journal article to your review.
9. If you are applying for a Graduate Assistantship, fellowship or scholarship, provide a recent resume, a personal statement of interest, and a cover letter describing your teaching, supervisory, or research experience.

International Students must also submit:

1. Two official diplomas of all post secondary universities attended translated in English (photocopies are not acceptable)
2. Two official transcripts of all post secondary universities attended (photocopies are not acceptable)

Mail transcripts and other required documents to:

Judy Nastase
Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Programs Office
270 Chambers Building
Penn State University
University Park, PA, 16802

What is State College like?

State College is a university town in the center of the mountains of Pennsylvania, which has been rated as one of the least stressful communities in America. For more information, please visit: State College.com

Direct flights from University Park Airport are available to and from Washington, D.C., Detroit, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia. New York City, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia are within 3 or 4 hours driving time.

What housing options are available?

Most graduate students prefer to live off campus, although there are dormitory rooms on campus for single students and married student housing for families. Contact Housing at University Park for assistance. Local bus routes are extensive, providing service to campus and other points in town.