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Preparing to Apply

Learn more about how to complete your application and apply to attend Penn State for your graduate education. All applicants meet minimum eligibility requirements for both the Graduate School and your intended program. Applications also need to provide all required documents and materials, and pay the application fee, before their application can be reviewed.

    Explore Programs

    Penn State offers over 300 graduate programs in dozens of disciplines, all of which are listed in the University's Graduate Bulletin.

    Search Graduate Programs

    Application Deadlines

    Application Fees

    • U.S. applicants for degree and certificate programs: $65
    • International applicants for degree programs and certificate programs (for anyone applying for summer or fall 2024 admission): $65
    • International applicants for degree programs and certificate programs (for anyone applying for spring 2025 admission or later): $85
    • Nondegree admission (U.S. or international): $30

    All application fees are nonrefundable.

    An application will not be reviewed until the application fee is paid. Applicants should pay within the application as the final step after all other sections of the application are completed. In unique situations where an applicant or another individual needs to pay for a previously submitted application, this can be done by credit card via the Graduate School Payment Portal, or by check/money order using the Application Fee Form below. To request an application fee waiver, contact your intended graduate program directly.

    Graduate School Application Fee Form

    Enrollment Types

    Minimum Admission Requirements

    To be eligible for a degree program, you must meet both of the following:

      Search for Minimum Eligibility by Country

      View the admission requirements from a selected country by choosing from the drop-down list below. The requirements listed for each country are seen most often from institutions within the selected country. Academic credentials will be reviewed on an individual basis to determine degree comparability and eligibility for admission.



      Transcript Requirements

      When applying for any graduate program, you will need to upload a scanned copy of official transcripts from institutions you attended previously. Note that there is a difference between “official” and “unofficial” transcripts, and only some documents will be accepted in the application process.

      Applicants will be required to upload copies of official transcripts or documents from all post-secondary institutions attended, whether the degree was completed or not.

      Accuracy of Application Materials

      Penn State is committed to ensuring that all applicants and students uphold the highest level of academic integrity. Any false information, omissions, and/or misstatements that are made in an application — including but not limited to the uploading of copies of transcripts that differ in any substantive way from the official transcripts/documents — will result in admission, registration, and credit(s) for course work completed being voided for the applicant. Additionally, information relating to the false information, omissions, and/or misstatements may be distributed to other academic institutions, governmental agencies, and/or other third parties.

      English Proficiency

      The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with some exceptions. If you do not meet these minimum requirements, you may be granted provisional admission until you complete certain requirements.

      • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): overall score of at least 80 with a minimum speaking score of 19
      • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6.5

      Provision Admission

      Applicants with the test scores below those listed above may be considered for provisional admission. To be fully admitted, students must complete specified English course work with a grade of B or higher during their first semester of enrollment. The course(s) to meet this qualification will be based on the applicant’s area(s) of deficiency in test results and are listed the graduate education admissions policy (GCAC-305 Procedures).

      Exemptions from English Proficiency Testing

      Some graduate plans of study may have more stringent requirements.

      “The support at Penn State is phenomenal not only within research, but also in places most students do not realize they need. Because of the vast resources at a large university like Penn State, we have experts working in dedicated centers that are available to students, faculty, and staff. Penn State is also a place where graduate students can grow personally as well. I have been lucky enough to find time to continue my hobbies from my younger years, such as run on the club cross country team and play slow pitch co-ed softball. Additionally, I found new hobbies where I was able to join the local community to learn from others! These experiences have helped me keep a work-life balance, and I always seem to be doing something I enjoy.”

      — Morgan Vincent
      Doctoral Candidate in Chemistry, Eberly College of Science