How to Apply

How to Apply

Application deadlines for both doctoral and master's degrees:

Spring Admissions

• October 15

Fall Admissions

• January 15 (deadline required for fellowship consideration)
• March 15

Procedures

For admissions to our graduate programs:

Please note: *you must apply to the Graduate School and also submit a packet of materials to the Learning, Design, and Technology Program*

Step 1: Applying to the Graduate School

1. Complete the electronic Graduate School Application, including a nonrefundable application fee. 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. When completing the Graduate School Application, enter “Learning, Design, and Technology” in the box requesting the “Graduate Major Sought.”
2. As part of the graduation school application, you will be asked to upload the following documents:

• Current resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose: Explain why you want to enter the Ph.D. or M.Ed. program. Describe your career goals and explain how your prospective degree in LDT 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 LDT and any other information that may help us to consider your application. This statement should not be more than 750 words.
• Required writing sample:  This 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. Please be sure to include the article that is being reviewed. The writing sample is required for both master's and doctoral applicants.
• Optional writing sample: You may also include one other writing sample, in addition to the article review, such as a published paper, scholarly paper, or other relevant writing sample that you have authored.
• Letters of recommendation: These should be solicited from three people who are best qualified to assess your ability to succeed in graduate school. You will be asked to submit the name of the three referents along with their email addresses. The referents will be sent an email directing them to the appropriate site to upload their reference letter. You will be notified via email when a reference letter is submitted, but you will not be able to view the letter.

Please take note: as you prepare your application to the program, please pay careful attention to the following items that will be used in decision making for university and college scholarships:

• What is the connection between your interests and those of the faculty with whom you wish to work? Information about the research interests of individual faculty members is available at: http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/in-sys/INSYS_People/university-park
• Describe any notable professional experiences, publications, awards/recognitions, or honors that you have gained.
• How will gaining a doctoral degree help you to achieve your personal career goals?
• Describe your overall promise for becoming a contributing member of the field.
• Do you have high-quality letters of recommendation from acknowledged professionals?
• Do you have high quantitative GPA and GRE assessments?
• (If you required to demonstrate language proficiency): Does your TOEFL score indicate high-proficiency with the English language?

Step 2: Applying to the LDT Program

• TWO (2) official transcripts from each college/university attended. International applicants whose transcripts are not in English must submit originals as well as certified translated copies.

• Doctoral applicants should submit the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test score.
• Master's applicants should submit GRE scores or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores.
• International applicants must also present official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with scores being a 550 or better on the paper test, a score of 213 on the computer-based test, a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section of the internet-based test, or a minimum composite score of a 6.5 on the IELTS.
  
• Application for an Assistantship (only for doctoral applicants seeking financial assistance).

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
LDT Admissions Coordinator (814) 865-0473