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 nonrefundable application fee

Résumé (Must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0)

One- to two-page personal statement of career and educational goals

Names and contact information 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 that they will be receiving an email notice. However, the form is not required as part of the application process. Reference letters are not required but will be accepted.

GRE or GMAT scores may be required of some applicants if GPA is less than 3.0.

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 institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State. Simply use our convenient transcript request form. Mail transcripts to:

Penn State Harrisburg
Graduate Admissions Office
Swatara Building
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown PA 17057
Phone: 717-948-6250
Fax: 717-948-6325

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 "PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION" as the major.
      3. Choose "M P A" as the degree.