Admissions

Deadlines for Application to the Doctoral and Master’s Degrees:

Procedures:

For admissions to our graduate programs, you must apply to both the Graduate School and the Instructional Systems Program. Each requires the completion of a separate application form.

Applying to the Graduate School:

1. Complete the electronic Graduate School Application, including a nonrefundable application fee. When completing the Graduate School Application, enter “Instructional Systems” in the box requesting the “Graduate Major Sought.”
2. Details on amount of the application fee and forms of payment can be found in the How to Apply section of Penn State’s Graduate School Web site. If you do not wish to pay the application fee by credit card, please download the “Application Fee Form”  and mail it along with your non-refundable application fee to:
   
   Graduate Enrollment Services
   The Penn State University
   114 Kern Building
   University Park, PA 16802
3. International Students should also complete the Visa Application .
4. Submit test scores. Doctoral applications should submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. Master's applications should submit Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores or GRE scores. In addition, international applicants must also present official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 or better (paper test), a score of 213 (computer-based test), a total score of 80 with a 23 on the speaking section (internet-based test), or a minimum composite score of 6.5 on the IELTS.

Applying to the INSYS program:

1. Download and complete the (PDF) application form to the instructional systems program. (See the "admissions forms" section on this website). Submit this application plus the following application materials to the Instructional Systems Program via email (to Ms. Nancy Crowder, nxc1@psu.edu ) or by postal mail (to the INSYS Admissions Coordinator, 314 Keller Building, University Park, PA 16802).
   • Statement of purpose: Explain why you want to enter the Ph.D., D.Ed., or M.Ed. program. Describe your career goals and explain how your prospective degree in INSYS will help you to achieve your goals. Describe how your professional and academic backgrounds qualify you for acceptance to the program. Explain how your professional interests correspond with the curricula strands and faculty expertise describing your professional background and your reasons for seeking a graduate degree in EDLS and any other information that may help us to consider your application. This statement should not be more than 750 words.
   • A brief writing sample, which should be an approximately 300 word review of an article or report published in a recent professional journal of your choice, and which deals with a contemporary educational issue related to your academic interests. You may also include one other writing sample, in addition to the article review, such as a published paper, scholarly paper, or other relevant sample. The writing sample is required for both Master's and Doctoral applicants.
   • Two official transcripts from each college/university attended.
   • Three letters of recommendation, which should be sent to the INSYS Admissions Coordinator by your referents. Letters of reference promised but not delivered, or those that arrive late, slow the application process. Choose referents carefully and, if possible, suggest a deadline for their submission of the letter. Letters can be sent by e-mail or mail.
2. Have the reports of your GRE and your TOEFL (if international student) score(s) sent to the INSYS Admissions Coordinator, 314 Keller, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802-1303.

Inquiries:

Admissions inquiries and supporting documents may be sent to the Admissions Coordinator: Ms. Nancy Crowder (nxc1@psu.edu) or (814) 865- 0473.

We cannot trace the whereabouts of application materials not yet received. Important phone numbers for you to use to check out your application and related questions are listed below:

The Graduate School Admissions Information (814) 865-1795
INSYS Admissions (814) 865-0473