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.

The program requires an undergraduate degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or information science. Students from other undergraduate majors with extensive work experience in the software engineering field may be considered. The admissions committee will consider the academic background, as evidenced by the transcript, as part of the overall application.

All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Application Materials
 

A completed application (including a nonrefundable application fee)

Official GRE test scores will be considered if submitted, but are not required. GRE scores can be submitted using the software engineering code — 2660.

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.

A one-page statement of intent should outline personal career goals and reasons for wanting to enroll in the program. This statement should be specific and include information about short- and long-term goals and how enrolling in the program may help achieve them. The statement of intent also offers applicants the opportunity to demonstrate writing and communication skills, specify examples of leadership, and provide pertinent information that will assist the committee in selecting candidates who can benefit from and contribute to the software engineering program.

Résumé

One recommendation (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.)

The following items submitted via mail:

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.) Please submit your transcripts to:
Penn State Great Valley Admissions
Office Main Building
30 E. Swedesford Road
Malvern PA 19355

For questions about transcripts, contact:
Penn State Great Valley
Phone: 610-648-3242
Fax: 610-725-5296
Email: gvadmiss@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 "SOFTWARE ENGINEERING" as the major.
      3. Choose "M SE" as the degree.