How to Apply - Master of Professional Studies in Community and Economic Development

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.

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

In addition, applicants are expected to have completed 6 credits in social sciences, preferably 3 credits in economics and 3 credits in sociology, and 3 credits in statistics in undergraduate work.

Transfer Credit

You may transfer up to 10 graduate credits from another accredited program into the degree program, with approval.

What You Need

Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

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, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

References (3) — you will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names and email addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.  

When all materials have been received, we will notify you about your status and provide guidance about the next steps in becoming a Penn State student.

Program-Specific Questions/Materials

Résumé — Upload your résumé vita or to the online application.

Personal Statement OR Statement of Purpose

Start Your Application

You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

Begin the graduate school application

• Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
• Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

Applying as a Nondegree Graduate Student

Apply as a "nondegree" graduate student to begin taking courses right away. If you are taking courses as a nondegree graduate student, you must apply to the master's degree to be considered for admission into the Community and Economic Development Master of Professional Studies. In the graduate school application:

• Select "Nondegree Admission"
• Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

Checking Your Status

You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.