Admission Instructions

Admission to graduate studies is granted on the basis of evidence of suitable preparation and the probability of success in the intended field of study.

In order to expedite the graduate admission process, PSU requires that the applicant send two complete but different application packets, one packet to the Office of Admissions and the other directly to the department. The admissions process will be delayed if you submit incomplete packets.

Failure to supply complete and accurate information will subject you to the University's policies governing academic dishonesty.

Return the following items to the Office of Admissions as a complete packet: (International Students, please refer to the International Graduate Admissions page.)

1. Complete the Online University Application for Graduate Admission -OR- Submit the blue University Application for Graduate Admission.
2. $50.00 non-refundable application fee (paid by check or money order; do not send cash). The fee is good for one year. If you choose to complete the online Application for Graduate Admission, you will be required to pay this fee with a Visa or Mastercard.
3. One official transcript, in its unopened envelope, from each post-secondary institution attended. (PSU transcript is not required for the Office of Admissions.)
4. Those students whose first language is not English and who do not have a U.S. degree are required to take the TOEFL. An official TOEFL score report must be sent directly to PSU from the Educational Testing Service. The required minimum score for the paper-based TOEFL is 550; the required minimum score for the Internet-based TOEFL is 18 in reading, 18 in listening, 16 in speaking, and 16 in writing. The required minimum score for the IELTS is 7.0. (Departments may require higher scores. Consult your academic department to verify their minimum score requirement.)

Return the following to the department as a complete packet:

1. Departmental application form.
2. One transcript from each post-secondary institution attended.

Departments require additional documents which may include any or all of the items listed below. Please contact your department for a list of departmental requirements.

1. Letter(s) of recommendation (departments may have specific forms).
2. Official test score (GRE, GMAT, etc.; TOEFL for International students).
3. Essay or statement.
4. Resume.
5. In those departments which require departmental entrance exams, students must arrange a testing date.

General University Deadlines

Some departments have established earlier deadlines than the ones listed below or will admit students for selected terms. Please check the department of your major before you apply. International students should refer to the "Application Procedures" sheet regarding special deadlines for students on F-1 or J-1 visas. Deadlines for departmental assistantships are normally earlier than University deadlines. If the department has established an earlier deadline, completed packets must be received by the department and the Office of Admissions by that date.

Validating Admission

To validate admission, a student must register and pay for at least one credit at PSU in the term for which she/he was admitted. If the student does not validate admission for the admission term, that admission will be cancelled unless the student contacts the Office of Admission and requests that the admission be updated to another term within the year. If the student does not validate admission within one calendar year, the admission will be cancelled, and the student must submit a new application and a new application fee.

As a PSU student, you are responsible for being familiar with, and complying with, all rules and regulations governing graduate study as set forth in the PSU Bulletin.