Admissions

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Students interested in taking courses while applying for program admission are encouraged to start the program as a "nondegree" graduate. This allows you to begin taking courses, and gives you more time to gather the application materials that are required for program admission. You may take up to 15 credits in nondegree status before submitting your application portfolio.

Prerequisites and Getting Started

For admission to Penn State's Graduate School, an applicant must have received, from an accredited institution, a bachelor's degree with requirements substantially equivalent to those at Penn State. (Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.) All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

For your application to be considered complete, submit the following:

• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing samples
• Two official transcripts from each institution attended
• Official GRE or MAT test scores
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if applicable

For questions regarding your application, contact:

Judith Nastase
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
The Pennsylvania State University
270 Chambers Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-2168
E-mail: jcn3@psu.edu

When all materials have been received, we will notify you about your status and provide guidance about the next steps in becoming a Penn State student.

Applying to the Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Children's Literature

If you are planning to take courses right away, please apply as a non-degree graduate student. If you are not taking credits while you complete the degree application process, follow the one step below:

1. Fill out the World Campus online application.
   1. Choose "Masters of Education in Curriculum Instruction – Children's Literature" from the drop-down menu.

Applying as a NonDegree Graduate Student in Children's Literature*

Applying as a nondegree graduate student is a 2-step process. You must complete both steps to be considered for the program.

1. Fill out the World Campus online application.
   1. Choose "Graduate Certificate in Children's Literature" from the drop-down menu.
2. Fill out the Graduate School online application.
   1. On the first page (with radio buttons), choose the "nondegree" option that pertains to you.
   2. On the second page:
      1. Choose "World Campus" as your campus.
      2. Choose "nondegree graduate" as your major (it will be the only choice).
      3. Choose "none" for your degree (it will be the only choice).

*If you apply as a nondegree graduate student, you must re-apply by completing the Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Children's Literature application to be considered for admission into the Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Children's Literature degree program.

Technical Requirements

Our courses are designed to use technology in a way that enriches the learning experience and helps students communicate and collaborate with faculty and classmates in a productive and convenient way. Technology is an important cornerstone of this program; therefore, we provide "live" support from HelpDesk support staff through real-time chat. Please view the technical requirements for this program.