Prerequisites

For admission to the Graduate School an applicant must have received, from an accredited institution, a baccalaureate degree with requirements substantially equivalent to those at Penn State. (Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.)

In order for your certificate application to be considered complete you will need to submit the following items before the application deadline:

• A completed application (including the nondegree application fee).
• A One- to Two-page statement of purpose. The statement should answer the following questions:
  • Why have you chosen to participate in Penn State's project management program? Describe how your previous or current work experience will enable you to apply course concepts to project management situations you have experienced.
  • How will these studies help you attain your career goals?
  • How will your participation contribute to the program?
• Three professional or academic letters of recommendation. Each applicant who is not an employee of a sponsoring partner (Rolls Royce) is required to provide three letters of recommendation.
• Two official transcripts from all graduate and undergraduate coursework 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 by downloading and completing a printable transcript request form. We recommend you also request to be notified when the transcripts are actually sent.
• Official GMAT test score
• International applicants whose first language is not English or who have received a baccalaureate or master's degree from an institution in which the language of instruction is not English, please refer to the international students page for more information about language proficiency.

The 12-credit graduate certificate in project management is embedded in the master's degree program, sharing the same course offerings, tuition rates, and admissions process.

To apply to this program, you must complete the graduate school application.

How to Apply

Individuals seeking admission to this program must complete and submit the Penn State Graduate School online application. Be sure to read the admissions requirements carefully, as each program has unique requirements.

Check Status

Use these options for applications already in progress or to check the status of an application previously submitted.

• Continue application already in progress
• Check the status of a submitted application

Official GMAT Test Score Information

Because applicants come from a variety of educational and employment backgrounds, we have found that the GMAT provides a means to assess each applicant against a common standard. The project management program requires a minimum total score of 450 for individuals whose GPA (undergraduate or a completed master's degree) is 3.0 or higher. The average GMAT score for project management degree students is 553.8 and the average score on the analytical writing assessment of the GMAT is 4.5.

The GMAT total score range is from 200 to 800. To determine the minimum total score that you need, multiply your GPA by 200 and then subtract that total from 1050. The remaining number, rounded to the next highest tenth, is what you are required to obtain to be admissible to the program.
Example: 1050 – (GPA x 200) = GMAT Score Needed
The analytical writing assessment score range is from 0 to 6. The writing requirement can be fulfilled by obtaining a 4.0 on the analytical writing assessment portion of the GMAT, or earning a grade of B or higher in an English composition course. GPA conversions to a 4.0 scale will be made for those institutions whose grading systems are not based on a 4.0. Scanned documents can be emailed to Graduate Admissions for conversions.

If you plan to submit your GMAT scores for application to the project management program, you will need to do 2 things on the day of testing:

1. Select The Pennsylvania State University–ERIE as a score recipient. In 20 days, Penn State Erie can access the Official School Copy of the GMAT.
2. Print an unofficial GMAT score report and fax this to the Graduate Admissions Office, ATTN: Ann Burbules, at 814-898-6044. This unofficial report allows the admissions process to continue.

To find out more about the GMAT or to register to take the exam, visit the GMAT website. A number of GMAT preparation courses are available online.  Penn State neither endorses any specific site nor guarantees that following the site's advice will improve your score.

Here are frequently asked questions about the GMAT:

• Can the GMAT be waived?
  Yes, individuals with a JD, MD, or PhD can ask for consideration of a GMAT waiver. These are reviewed on an individual basis by the program director. A previous but recent (taken within 5 years) GRE score may be considered an acceptable substitute and will be evaluated on an individual basis by the program director. Many students in this program have advanced degrees and extensive work experience. 
• Can I complete the 12-credit graduate certificate in project management without taking the GMAT?
  No, regardless of your intent to complete the graduate certificate or master's degree, a GMAT score is required as part of the application portfolio.