Graduate Application

Ph.D. Graduate Application

  • December 15: Final deadline for applications, including test scores, recommendation letters and supplemental application materials.
  • January: The Graduate Recruiting Committee begins reviewing applications.
  • February-April: Admission offers are sent via email. Only those applicants with a complete application will be sent an offer.
  • April 15: Reply deadline for admitted applicants.
  • April 30: Notices of non-acceptance are sent via email.

Start Your Application

  1. Complete the online application to The Graduate School at Penn State. All applicants must satisfy the requirements for graduate admission.
  2. Upload a 1-3 page Research Interests and Preparation Statement describing 1-2 specific research problems that interest you.
  3. Arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted. Using the electronic application, applicants will enter the references' contact information. The Graduate School will contact the reference with instructions on how to upload a letter of recommendation.
  4. Upload a complete resume or curriculum vitae, which should include current positions and publications.
  5. Upload a Portfolio which includes 2-3 examples of your best work you have done to this point in your career. This may include essays, publications, technical reports or other work.
  6. Upload official transcripts from each institution attended. Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, hard copies of official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) attended to The Graduate School for verification. International applicants should submit transcripts in English and their native language.
  7. International applicants must arrange for TOEFL iBT scores to be sent electronically from ETS to The Graduate School (institution code 2660). Please visit the Graduate School website for English proficiency exceptions. The College of IST will accept IELTS scores, but TOEFL iBT scores are preferred.

M.S. Graduate Application

  • The College of IST offers automatic acceptance into one of the college’s M.S. or M.P.S. degree programs and will waive the application fee for any graduate from an IST bachelor’s degree program with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
  • This offer is good for 2 years after graduating from an IST program (any PSU campus).
  • Eligible applicants should contact istgradprograms@psu.edu for verification and issuance of the waiver.
  • June 15: Graduate applications open
  • March 1: Final deadline for applications, including test scores, recommendation letters and supplemental application materials.
  • January-May: The Masters Recruiting Committee begins reviewing applications on a rolling basis until spaces are filled. Admission decisions are sent via email as they are made. Only those applicants with a complete application will be sent an offer.

Start Your Application

  1. Complete the online application to The Graduate School at Penn State. All applicants must satisfy the requirements for graduate admission.
  2. Upload a 1-3 page Statement of Research Background and Goals that details your personal motivation for obtaining an advanced degree in the College of Information Sciences and Technology.
  3. Arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted. Using the electronic application, applicants will enter the references' contact information. The Graduate School will contact the reference with instructions on how to upload a letter of recommendation.
  4. Upload a complete resume or curriculum vitae, which should include current positions and publications.
  5. Upload an applicant writing sample, such as a journal article, conference paper, or final paper for a course.
  6. Upload official transcripts from each institution attended. Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, hard copies of official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) attended to The Graduate School for verification. International applicants should submit transcripts in English and their native language.
  7. International applicants must arrange for TOEFL iBT scores to be sent electronically from ETS to The Graduate School (institution code 2660). Please visit the Graduate School website for English proficiency exceptions. The College of IST will accept IELTS scores, but TOEFL iBT scores are preferred.
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Office of Graduate Programs

E103 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802

Resident Programs
istgradprograms@psu.edu
(814) 863-0591

Online Programs
istonlinegrad@psu.edu
(814) 863-9461