The Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award recognizes excellence in master’s-level thesis research in any of the disciplinary areas of Arts and Humanities; Social Sciences - Applied and Basic; Physical and Computational Sciences - Applied and Basic; Life and Health Sciences; and Engineering. 

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in residence in an M.S. or M.A. program and completing a thesis; be in good academic standing, with a minimum GPA of 3.5; have completed all required course work or be in the process of completing all course work for the degree and received approval for their thesis topic; and be in their final year of graduate work.  A student enrolled in a PhD program (concurrently or in a program in which the master’s is completed along the way) is ineligible for consideration.  Those completing research doctorate degrees may be nominated for the Alumni Association Dissertation Award at such time when they meet relevant eligibility guidelines. University employees receiving educational privileges are not eligible for this University scholarship/award in accordance with Penn State policies HR36 and HR38. 

Applications/Nominations for the upcoming academic year will be open in the August time frame.  

Students may apply directly or faculty/staff may nominate a student.  Please contact your college graduate education office for important information, attachments and nomination link contained in email announcement.  

For more information please contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration.

View the full list of Distinguished Master’s Thesis Award recipients.