Applying to Graduate School in the Department of Psychology at Penn State is a two step process. It requires that two applications be submitted:
- One to Graduate Enrollment Services, a division of the Pennsylvania State University that oversees all graduate programs.
- One to the Department of Psychology. This is a paper-based application process handled by the Graduate Admissions Committee in the Department of Psychology. Send your paperwork to the mailling address provided further down on this page.
Note: Before you begin the application process, make sure you are aware of these important items where you'll find an application checklist for your convenience.
Graduate School Application (Electronic Submission)
The Graduate School requires that all applicants file an electronic application available at the Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal.
For application fee information, please go to:
http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html
Department of Psychology Application (Paper-based Submission)
The following should be submitted directly to the Department of Psychology at the mailing address below:
- One copy of the Departmental Application
To obtain a copy of the Departmental Application:
Download the Application for Fall 2010 (pdf)
– View, print and complete a paper copy of application
If you have any difficulties printing these documents and would like assistance, please send us an email.
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
Download the Evaluation Form (pdf) and print a copy of it for each letter of recommendation you intend to submit. There is a section on the form that you must fill out yourself and a section that must be filled out by your recommendation writer. An Evalution Form must accompany each letter of recommendation.
- A Sample Paper
- A Statement of Purpose
- Test Scores
– The Penn State Institutional Code for both the GRE and TOEFL exams is 2660
– Psychology GRE codes are:
– 2001 (Clinical)
– 2006 (Developmental)
– 2008 (I/O)
– 2015 (Social)
– 2099 (Cognitive)
However, if you use only the 2660 institutional code the scores will still get to us.
Psychology does not have any departmental codes for the TOEFL exam.
– The GRE Psychology Subject Test is not required
- Transcripts – Two official copies
Download the Transcript Request Form:
– View, print and complete a paper copy of the Transcript Request Form (pdf)
- International students must also submit an Application for Visa Document
______________________
Mailing Address for the Department of Psychology Application Paperwork
Please mail the above items to:
Graduate Admissions Committee
Department of Psychology
The Pennsylvania State University
109 Moore Building
University Park, PA 16802-3103
(814) 863-1721
Important Items of Interest to the Applicant
Thank you for your interest in graduate study in the Department of Psychology at Penn State. In order to facilitate the processing of your application and to ensure that you have submitted a complete application package, please mail all of the required items together. The Application Checklist (pdf) can assist you in making sure that everything is included. If your application is not complete, it will not be reviewed.
Please remember that it is your responsibility to be sure we receive a completed application (e.g., transcripts, test scores, three letters of recommendation, sample paper, statement of purpose) by December 1st for Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, I/O, or Social Psychology. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to write for missing materials, so please be certain your application is complete.