How to Apply - Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all application materials, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete. Acceptance of your application makes you eligible for preferred registration for your courses, which is why we encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible.
- July 1 for fall semester admission
- October 15 for spring semester admission
- March 1 for summer semester admission
Admissions Help
Thank you for your interest in continuing your agricultural biosecurity education through Penn State World Campus. New and prospective students must submit an application for admission when applying to either the master's or a certificate program, along with a nonrefundable application fee. If you have any questions throughout the admissions process, please contact an admissions counselor.
Prerequisites
For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
Application Materials
A completed application submitted electronically following the directions provided in the application.
Statement of purpose There is no specific format or content requirement. Your statement of purpose should be a personal statement to the admissions committee and may include any of the following: your reasons for pursuing the degree, why you feel you are a good candidate for the program, and any information you would like the admissions committee to know about you personally and/or professionally.
Résumé
Names of three recommenders
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with some exceptions. Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School "How to Apply" page.
Two official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. (Penn State even has a convenient transcript request form. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State.) Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Send your statement of purpose, résumé, and official transcripts by mail or email to the Agricultural Biosecurity program office below. No GRE scores are required. Please have your three recommenders mail or email letters of recommendation directly to Lori Long:
Lori J. Long
College of Agricultural Sciences
The Pennsylvania State University
210 Buckhout Laboratory
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-7069
Email: laj5@psu.edu
How to Apply
Individuals seeking admission to this program must complete and submit the Penn State Graduate School online application. Be sure to read the admissions requirements carefully, as each program has unique requirements.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.