- General Questions
- Questions about Admission Requirements
- Questions about the Application and Application Forms
- Questions about Funding
- Questions about the Clinical Program
General Questions
I only want to pursue a Master’s Degree and not a Ph.D. How do I apply for just the Master’s?
We do not offer terminal master’s degree in which students are admitted for a Master’s degree only. The Psychology department only admits applicants whose objective is the Ph.D, although students are commonly awarded an M.S. en route to the Ph.D.
Do you accept applicants who already have a Master’s Degree?
Yes. Decisions about whether a Master’s Degree and coursework from another university will be accepted at Penn State are only made after admission.
Do you accept part-time students?
The graduate program is designed for full-time students working for the doctor of philosophy degree.
I want to apply to more than one area in the Psychology Department. How can I do it?
You may apply to only one doctoral program at a time. However, during a given admission cycle, you may request to change the program to which you are applying. If you are denied from a specific program, you may request to be considered for another program.
Questions about Admission Requirements
What are Psychology’s educational requirements for admission to Ph.D programs?
Most of our incoming students have earned an undergraduate degree in psychology; however, students from other majors are admitted. It is expected that applicants will have a background in psychology before applying.
What examinations are required for admission?
The general GRE exam is required; however, the subject exam is not required.
The TOEFL exam is required for international students except for those applicants who have received a baccalaureate or a master’s degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States and Wales.
All international students admitted to Penn State University, regardless of where they have obtained their baccalaureate or Master’s degree, will be required to take the English Proficiency Exam upon arrival at the Penn State campus.
What is Penn State’s institutional code for the GRE examination?
To have your scores sent to Penn State, use the institutional code of 2660. It is not necessary to use the Departmental code.
What are the minimum GRE and GPA scores required for admission?
There is no minimum score required for the GREs or a minimum GPA. However, click here to see average scores from past entering classes.
Questions about the Application and Application Forms
What is the application deadline for admission?
December 1 is the deadline for all five areas of Psychology at Penn State: Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Industrial/Organizational and Social. All applications materials should be received by the Psychology Department no later than December 1.
How do I know if my application is complete?
Because of the high volume of applications we receive in a short period of time prior to the holiday break, we cannot respond to phone calls and/or emails regarding the completion of your application until the beginning of January. However, if you have carefully followed our instructions by mailing all application materials together in one envelope, your application should be complete. Please note that a completed application includes the submission of the University electronic application in addition to the Departmental paper application.
May I mail my application materials separately or do they all need to be mailed together in one envelope?
All application materials should be mailed together in one envelope to the Psychology Department, with the exception of the official GRE scores, which should be sent to us directly from ETS. However, it is helpful to have a photocopy of your GRE scores submitted along with your application. The following materials should be mailed together in one envelope to the Psychology Department:
- Departmental application
- Statement of goals
- Three letters of recommendation
- Sample paper
- Two official transcripts from each college/university attended.
- Photocopy of your GRE scores, if available
Do I need to use the Transcript Form provided?
No. The form is for your convenience only.
Do I need to use the Recommendation Form provided?
It is not necessary to use the recommendation form; however, three letters of recommendation are required.
Questions about Funding
How can I apply for an admission fee waiver?
You will need to contact the Graduate Enrollment Services Office to inquire as to a fee waiver. Their contact information is:
Graduate Enrollment Services
The Pennsylvania State University
114 Kern Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1795
gswww@psu.edu
Is there a separate form for requesting Assistantships or Fellowships?
No, there is no separate form. All applicants offered admission are automatically considered for available assistantships or fellowships.
What kind of funding is available?
Admitted students generally receive a monthly stipend as well as a full waiver of tuition and fees. Because we do our best to fund all of our incoming students, we can only admit a limited number of applicants each year.
Questions about the Clinical Program
Is Psychology’s Clinical Program an accredited program?
Yes.
Are interviews required for the Clinical program?
Yes. Interviews are granted at our invitation.