A Penn State doctoral journey is about far more than earning a degree. It is a transformative experience that shapes you as a scholar, educator, and professional. The Fox Graduate School is committed to supporting your success at every stage of that journey. To help you excel, we have outlined five key areas that form the foundation of a well-rounded doctoral experience: Degree Milestones, Research and Scholarship, Teaching and Pedagogy, Career Exploration, and Personal Growth and Development.
Whether you are just beginning your program or preparing for your final defense, the resources and guidance below are designed to help you navigate each phase with intention and confidence, from your earliest coursework through your transition into your professional career.
Degree Milestones
Career Exploration
Research and Scholarship
Personal Growth
Teaching Pedagogy
Degree Milestones
Research and Scholarship
Teaching and Pedagogy
Career Exploration
Personal Growth and Development
“Penn State has a wide array of graduate courses that allowed me to gain specialized knowledge and skills in my field. Additionally, faculty members at Penn State encourage students to pursue their interests through out-of-class experiences such as teaching and contributing to interdisciplinary research teams. The graduate student body is ambitious and collaborative. Penn State offers a world-class graduate education that prepares students to be leaders in their field.”
— Gavin Rackoff
Psychology doctoral student, College of Liberal Arts
“My Ph.D. studies have been transformative to my personal life, my academic goals, and my career trajectory. The skills I developed in research and writing led to the publication of my first peer-reviewed journal article, a long-time goal. In the teaching experience I received as part of my graduate assistantship, I both grew as an instructor in new subject areas and honed my existing pedagogy. Put simply, the skills and experience I earned in my graduate studies at Penn State University have opened doors to exciting, life-changing opportunities, and I look forward to seeing what’s next.”
— Timothy D. Smith
Doctoral candidate in American Studies, Penn State Harrisburg