Explore Graduate Education at Penn State

Thank you for your interest in attending the Fox Graduate School at Penn State! We are excited to provide more information on all of the great programs we have to offer. Explore a few of our many offerings below, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would just like to learn more!

Explore our programs
College of Agricultural Sciences
College of Arts and Architecture
Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
College of Education
College of Engineering
College of Health and Human Development
College of Information Sciences and Technology
College of the Liberal Arts
Eberly College of Science
Fox Graduate School at Penn State
Penn State College of Medicine
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Penn State Great Valley
Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College
Penn State Mont Alto
Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing
School of International Affairs
Smeal College of Business

College of Agricultural Sciences

Learn more about the College of Agricultural Sciences, including degree programs, admissions information, and how to contact the college.

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Programs Offered

Agricultural & Biological Engineering*
Agricultural & Environmental Plant Science*
Animal Science*
Biorenewable Systems*
Community and Economic Development
Education, Development, & Community Engagement
Energy, Environmental, & Food Economics*
Ecosystem Management and Administration
Entomology*

Food Science*
Forest Resources
Pathobiology*
Plant Pathology*
Rural Sociology
Soil Science*
Turfgrass Management
Wildlife and Fisheries Science

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The mission of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is to discover, integrate, translate, and disseminate knowledge to enhance the food and agricultural system, natural resources and environmental stewardship, and economic and social well-being, thereby improving the lives of people in Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world. Our goal is to assert leadership and foster innovation through organizational improvement and change. By strategic investment of resources, we aim to address the changing needs of the Commonwealth.

College of Arts and Architecture

Learn more about the College of Arts and Architecture, including application deadlines, programs and certificates, and view a graduate project gallery.

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Programs Offered

Art Education
Architecture
Art
Art History
Geodesign
Landscape Architecture*
Conducting

Composition/Theory
Music Education
Performance
Music
Pedagogy and Performance
Piano Performance
Theatre

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The College of Arts and Architecture is committed to providing the highest quality training for artists, designers, scholars, teachers, and arts professionals, and to advancing research and creative activity in our disciplines. Our goals are to create transformative experiences for students; maximize visibility of the arts and design at Penn State; engage communities through research, curricula, and arts presentation; and lead in technology in the arts and design.

Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

Learn about the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, including graduate programs, stories on recent graduates, and more.

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Programs

Mass Communications
Media Studies
Strategic Communications

: The mission of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications is to prepare students to take their place in an information-rich society and in the professions as active, critical and ethical participants. We promote effective, responsible use of communications media and technologies by individuals, organizations, industries and government.

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Learn more about the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, including degree programs, graduate organizations, available assistantships and fellowships, and more.

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Programs

Energy and Mineral Engineering*
Geography*
Geosciences*
Geographic Information Systems
Materials Science and Engineering

Meteorology and Atmospheric Science*
Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems*
Spatial Data Science*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: By building on its reputation for scientific leadership in the earth, energy, and materials sciences and engineering, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ mission is to develop new discoveries about how the Earth’s systems interact with one another and with people and their institutions and to use the knowledge gained from those discoveries to inspire students to become new generations of leaders.

College of Education

Learn about the College of Education, including how to apply, potential financial aid, research opportunities, and more.

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Programs

Curriculum and Instruction
Counselor Education
Education
Educational Leadership
Educational Psychology
Educational Theory and Policy
Education Policy and Leadership
Higher Education

Learning, Design and Technology*
Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
Organization Development and Change
Special Education
School Psychology
Workforce Education and Development

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The mission of the College of Education at Penn State is to deepen and extend knowledge about the formation and utilization of human capabilities. This broad and exciting mission permits us to focus on teaching and learning in many different content areas and with learners of many different ages, ranging from early childhood to adults. Our interest in the utilization of human capabilities connects us with many fields such as rehabilitation and human services and workforce education and development.

College of Engineering

Learn about the College of Engineering, including graduate programs, new teaching and research buildings on the University Park campus, funding opportunities, and more.

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Programs

Acoustics*
Architectural Engineering*
Aerospace Engineering*
Additive Manufacturing and Design*
Biomedical Engineering*
Civil Engineering*
Chemical Engineering*
Computer Science and Engineering*
Engineering Design*
Electrical Engineering*

Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management*
Engineering Mechanics*
Engineering*
Environmental Engineering*
Engineering Science and Mechanics*
Industrial Engineering*
Mechanical Engineering*
Engineering, Law, and Policy*
Engineering at the Nano-Scale*
Nuclear Engineering*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

College of Health and Human Development

Learn about the College of Health and Human Development, including degree options, current student profiles, how to apply, and more.

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Programs

Athletic Training
Biobehavioral Health*
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Human Development and Family Studies
Hospitality Management

Health Policy and Administration
Kinesiology
Nutritional Sciences*
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The College of Health and Human Development is a collaborative community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni that seeks to improve human health, development, and the quality of life for all people through innovative education, interdisciplinary research, and effective outreach with a scope that encompasses “cells to society” and conception through the end of life.

College of Information Sciences and Technology

Learn about the College of Information Sciences and Technology, including how to apply, the different degree programs, graduate student news, and more.

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Programs

Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations*
Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation*
Informatics*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: Our mission is to educate students who can meet the challenges of the 21st century information age; to conduct leading-edge research by integrating people and information and technology; and to carry out service activities that address global problems and challenges.

College of the Liberal Arts

Learn more about the College of the Liberal Arts, including program rankings, funding opportunities, how the college is supporting diversity and equity, and more.

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Programs

Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Anthropology
Applied Linguistics
Communication Arts and Sciences
Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
Comparative Literature
Criminology
Economics*
English
French and Francophone Studies
German
History

Human Resources and Employment Relations
Latin American Studies
Labor and Global Workers’ Rights
Philosophy
Political Science
Public Policy
Psychology*
Psychology of Leadership
Russian and Comparative Literature
Sociology
Spanish
Teaching English as a Second Language

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

Building upon its status as one of the premier public liberal arts institutions, the College of the Liberal Arts seeks to offer a transformative 21st-century education that prepares students to thrive in today’s society. The College will fulfill this mission by:

Providing an education that combines core liberal arts values with research, teaching, and global experiences that allow students to apply skills in real-world contexts and grow personally and professionally

Recruiting and retaining the best liberal arts faculty to help students develop wisdom and skills to influence and respond to change

Supporting graduate students with placement in academic and non-academic careers as they complete their educational experience.

Eberly College of Science

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Learn about the Eberly College of Science, including graduate programs, graduate program data, and graduate guidelines and policies.

Programs

Applied Statistics*
Astronomy and Astrophysics*
Biology*
Biotechnology*
Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology*
Chemistry*

Forensic Science*
Mathematics*
Neuroscience*
Physics*
Statistics*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The mission of the college is to improve society and address global challenges through excellence in science education and research. We train tomorrow’s scientific leaders and innovators and provide rich science education for all Penn State students. We enhance public understanding of science by sharing our knowledge and discoveries with the people of the Commonwealth, nation, and world. We make discoveries that expand fundamental knowledge in science and are applied to solve real-world challenges.

Fox Graduate School at Penn State

Learn more about the Fox Graduate School at Penn State, including degree programs, why students choose Penn State, how to apply, frequently asked questions, and more.

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Programs

The below programs are intercollege programs offered at Penn State and cross the disciplinary boundaries of specific colleges.

Bioinformatics and Genomics*
Ecology*
Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences*

Integrative and Biomedical Physiology*
Plant Biology*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The mission of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School is to promote the highest quality graduate education that prepares interdisciplinary leaders who advance knowledge and understanding, drive innovation, and contribute to the resolution of complex national and global problems to meet societal needs.

Penn State College of Medicine

Learn about the Penn State College of Medicine, including academic programs, student news, research, and more.

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Programs

Anatomy*
Biomedical Sciences*
Biostatistics*
Clinical Research*

Epidemiology*
Laboratory Animal Medicine
Neuroscience*
Public Health

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, and Penn State Children's Hospital are committed to enhancing the quality of life through improved health, the professional preparation of those who will serve the health needs of others, and the discovery of knowledge that will benefit all.

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

Learn about Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, including a list of graduate programs, how to apply, scholarship opportunities, and more.

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Programs

Accounting
Business Administration
Project Management
Quality and Manufacturing Management*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

There are six hallmarks of the Penn State Behrend experience:

High Quality: Excellence in academics, research, and outreach

Student-Centeredness

Advanced Technology: State-of-the-art classrooms and labs.

Inspiring Campus Environment

Diversity: Behrend is a laboratory for ideas, and the more perspectives that can be brought to bear, the greater the learning

Land-Grant Commitment: We are an economic, social, and cultural catalyst in northwestern Pennsylvania and beyond

Penn State Great Valley

Learn about Penn State Great Valley, including available programs and certificates, professional development and research opportunities, and more.

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Programs

Accounting
Artificial Intelligence*
Business Administration
Data Analytics*
Engineering Management*

Finance*
Information Science*
Leadership Development
Software Engineering*
Systems Engineering*

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: To directly respond to the learning needs of working adult professionals and their organizations, Penn State Great Valley strives to develop and offer convenient, competitively priced, and technically advanced programming that improves the career potential and enhances the work effectiveness of our students and graduates.

Through the research of our faculty, our graduate programming, our continuing education programs, and conferences organized by Penn State Great Valley, we seek to promote the intellectual and economic vitality of our region. In all of our teaching, research, and service endeavors, the rigor, quality, and relevance of our programs bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College

Learn about Penn State Harrisburg, the Capital College, including degree programs, student life, research resources, and more.

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Programs

Accounting
Applied Behavior Analysis
Clinical Psychology
American Studies
Business Administration*
Civil Engineering*
Communications
Computer Science*
Criminal Justice
Electrical Engineering*

Engineering Management*
Engineering Systems*
Health Administration
Homeland Security
Information Systems*
Mechanical Engineering*
Public Administration
Speech Language Pathology
Teaching and Curriculum

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: The mission of Penn State Harrisburg is to provide an integrated and responsive approach to education that benefits society. As the largest and most comprehensive of the University's Commonwealth Campuses, we strive to achieve national and international standing in academic quality and impact upon the progress of society.

Penn State Mont Alto

Learn more about Penn State Mont Alto, including how to apply, student services, and more.

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Program

Occupational Therapy (anticipated 2026)

: Penn State Mont Alto’s instructional mission includes undergraduate and continuing education, offered through both resident education and digital learning, that provide students with a world-class education and personalized attention. We nurture the whole person and propel students to realize their educational and career goals in a supportive and engaging environment. Our curricular and co-curricular programs are enriched by the talent and creativity of a diverse, world-class faculty, students, and staff.

Our discovery activities are collaborative and interdisciplinary and involve faculty and students who aspire to push the frontiers of knowledge to improve learning and benefit society.

As an integral part of Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, Penn State Mont Alto is a gateway to a world-class education for citizens of the Commonwealth and beyond. We actively partner with private-sector, educational, community, and governmental entities to foster the cultural, educational, and economic advancement of the communities we serve.

Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing

Learn more about the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing including, degree programs, about the college, information for current students, and more.

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Program

Nursing

: The focus of master’s education in nursing is to prepare a nursing scholar for an advanced nursing practice role such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nurse administrator, or doctoral study candidate. Master’s degree specialists serve individuals, families, and aggregate groups within diverse populations and settings.

The focus of D.N.P. education in nursing is on the translation of research into practice, transformational leadership, and advanced nursing practice.

The focus of Ph.D. education, the Dual-Title Ph.D. in Nursing and Bioethics, and the Dual-Title Ph.D. in Nursing and Clinical and Translational Science is to develop nurse scientists and clinical scholars to provide leadership in nursing education, practice, and research.

Graduate education in nursing is characterized by a philosophy of expanding ideas and emphasis on knowledge development in nursing and health care. The primary goal of graduate nursing education is the development, transmission, and organization of nursing knowledge and the translation of that knowledge into practice in order to promote the health of individuals, families, and communities throughout society. The graduate nursing programs are an integral part of the Graduate School and graduate education at Penn State.

School of International Affairs

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Program

International Affairs

: Our mission is to provide graduate students with an exceptional education in international affairs in order to prepare them for careers and leadership positions in both the private and public sectors. The School of International Affairs fulfills this mission through a flexible, innovative, interdisciplinary graduate degree program taught by elite faculty, and experiential learning, including internship and education abroad opportunities.

Smeal College of Business

Learn more about the Smeal College of Business, including graduate programs and certificates, academic departments, faculty and research, and more.

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Programs

Accounting*
Accounting Analytics*
Business Administration - M.B.A., D.B.A.*
Business Administration - M.S., Ph.D.
Business Administration - Exec. M.B.A.
Business Analytics*

Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Marketing Analytics and Insights
Real Estate Analysis and Development*
Supply Chain Management*
Strategic Management and Executive Leadership
Taxation

*Graduate programs with extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility

: As an extension of the core values of the University, the Smeal College of Business is committed to a set of strategic priorities including delivering extraordinary educational experiences, conducting research with impact, fostering a culture that prioritizes integrity, embraces unique ideas and strengthens connections via diversity enhancement initiatives and programs, and promotes sustainability in education, research, and business practice.

College of Agricultural Sciences

Programs Offered

College of Arts and Architecture

Programs Offered

Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

Programs

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Programs

College of Education

Programs

College of Engineering

Programs

College of Health and Human Development

Programs

College of Information Sciences and Technology

Programs

College of the Liberal Arts

Programs

Eberly College of Science

Programs

Fox Graduate School at Penn State

Programs

Penn State College of Medicine

Programs

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

Programs

Penn State Great Valley

Programs

Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College

Programs

Penn State Mont Alto

Program

Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing

Program

School of International Affairs

Program

Smeal College of Business

Programs

Legal Statements