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.

One- to two-page personal statement explaining how this program relates to your professional experience and can help you reach your career goals.

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.

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 "INFORMATION SECURITY AND FORENSICS" as the option.