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.

Since the program is multidisciplinary in nature, students from almost any discipline may be accepted into it. A bachelor's degree in a related area (e.g., engineering and science), while not necessary for admission, is helpful in the successful completion of the degree. 

The students are expected to have a basic level of competency in statistics, computer language, and information technology (related work experience can be used to demonstrate such competency). A student may be accepted into the program with "provisional status" for no more than one year while work is completed to meet these expectations.

Successful applicants are expected to have an overall grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher for their undergraduate study (and/or graduate-level studies). However, accomplishments demonstrated through work experience and recommendation letters from an applicant's academic adviser or employer will also play an important role in the admission decision.

The most qualified applicants will be accepted into the program until all spaces for new students are filled.

Application Materials

Completed application (including a nonrefundable application fee)

Official GRE or GMAT (waived if 5+ years of relevant work experience)

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.

Names of three recommenders (Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to the 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.)

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

Current résumé

Two official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed (Penn State has a convenient transcript request form. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State.). Mail transcripts to:

Sherry Rogers
College of Information Sciences and Technology
The Pennsylvania State University
101F Information Sciences and Technology Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-9461
Fax: 814-865-6426
Email: mps@ist.psu.edu

How to Apply
 

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 "INFORMATION SCIENCES" as the major.
      3. Choose "M P S" as the degree.