How to Apply - Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security - Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense Option
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all application materials, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
- 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 homeland security 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 (including a nonrefundable application fee). The application must be 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 — Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each recommender requesting the completion of a reference form contained in the email. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores. You may request a GRE waiver if you meet one of the following criteria:
- 3.00 undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) either overall or of the last 60 credits
- 5+ years of professional work experience
- 3.00 GPA upon completion of graduate certificate
- successful completion of a graduate or professional degree
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. Mail transcripts to:
Graduate Admissions
Swatara Building
Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown PA 17057
Phone: 800-222-2056
Email: hbg-gradadmit@lists.psu.edu
How to Apply
Fill out the graduate degree application.
On the "Campus, Major, Degree & Semester" page:
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus.
- Choose "HOMELAND SECURITY" as the major.
- Choose "M P S" as the degree.
- Choose "AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY" as the option.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.