Official transcripts should be mailed to the following address:
Penn State Master of Finance
Penn State Great Valley
Admissions Office
30 E. Swedesford Rd.
Malvern PA 19355
Admissions decisions are based on the quality of the applicants' credentials. A portfolio will be developed for a broad-based assessment of each applicant for the program. Your application will not be reviewed until all of your portfolio items have been submitted.
Applications are now being accepted for the fall 2012 semester. The application portfolio deadlines for this cohort are:
Early Deadline — May 1, 2012*
Standard Deadline — July 15, 2012
*Please note that application portfolios submitted by the early deadline will be given priority consideration.
Prerequisites
As a preprogram requirement, Master of Finance program applicants must have satisfactory knowledge of business statistics, financial management/corporate finance, and microeconomics. If you are unable to demonstrate the requisite level of skill required in these areas, you will be encouraged to enroll in preparatory courses prior to entrance into the Master of Finance program.
For more information on prerequisites, managementhelp@psu.edu or call 610-648-3248.
Application Checklist
You will need to submit:
- a completed application (including a nonrefundable application fee). You must submit the application electronically by following the directions provided in the application.
- two official transcripts for all graduate and undergraduate course work completed at an accredited institution, with English translation (literal) of records not in English. You may request that transcripts are sent directly from the institution to the Penn State address provided above. We recommend that you also request to be notified when the transcripts are actually sent.
- official GMAT or GRE score. You can have your score reported directly from the testing center to Penn State. Tests must be taken no more than five years prior to application. Typically, applicants with a minimum score of 500 will be considered for admission. Applicants holding an MBA, JD, CPA, CFA, or doctoral degree are not required to submit standardized test scores.
- a short one- to two-page résumé. Submit via email to Pat Misselwitz at pum1@psu.edu or send a hard copy to the transcript address above.
- a one-page statement that describes your short- and long-term professional goals and how enrolling in the Penn State Master of Finance program might help to achieve them. It should also include your expectations of the Master of Finance program and the skills and strengths you would bring to the cohort. Submit via email to Pat Misselwitz at pum1@psu.edu or send a hard copy to the transcript address above.
- two professional or academic recommendations. The recommendation should specifically address current employment or recent academic experience, as well as your potential to successfully complete the program. Recommendations should cite examples of speaking, writing, quantitative and analytical abilities, as well as how you interact in a group setting. Submit via mail to the transcript address above.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score, if applicable. TOEFL scores must be submitted by all international applicants unless otherwise specified. Please see the Language Proficiency section of the International Students page of the website for undergraduate and graduate prorgam requirements. Visit the TOEFL website or call 609-771-7100 for more information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
If you have questions about your application portfolio items, please email mfin@psu.edu or call us at 610-648-3242.
Applying to the Master's Degree
- Read the admissions requirements.
- Begin the graduate school application.
- On the "Admissions and Program Information Portal" page, choose "Apply Now."
- When you get to the "Campus, Major, Degree & Semester" page:
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus.
- Choose "FINANCE" as the major.
- Choose "M FIN" as the degree.
