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.

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, mgmtonline@psu.edu or call 610-648-3229.

Application Materials
 

Completed application (including a nonrefundable application fee). You must submit the application electronically by following the directions provided in the application.

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 from an AACSB-accredited institution or a 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 listed below.

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 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 address provided below. We recommend that you also request to be notified when the transcripts are actually sent. Mail transcripts to: 

Penn State Master of Finance
Penn State Great Valley
Admissions Office
30 E. Swedesford Road
Malvern PA 19355

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
 

1. Read the admissions requirements.
2. Begin the graduate school application.
   1. On the "Admissions and Program Information Portal" page, choose "Apply Now."
   2. When you get to the "Campus, Major, Degree & Semester" page:
      1. Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus.
      2. Choose "FINANCE" as the major.
      3. Choose "M FIN" as the degree.