Graduate Programs
How to apply
Degree Admission
Degree admission is granted jointly by the Graduate School and the graduate program. Each program has its own procedures for evaluating applications. An applicant must apply for admission to a particular program of study. Applicants may apply to only one graduate program at a time. The Graduate School will not consider concurrent applications for admission to more than one program and does not act upon an application without a program's recommendation.
Please note:
- U.S. applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution to apply for admission.
- International applicants must have a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree to apply for admission. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
- You may only apply to one graduate program and campus at a time.
- If you currently hold a doctorate, you are not encouraged to apply for a second doctorate.
Degree Application Process
Applying for graduate admission is a two-step process. Applications must be submitted to the Graduate School and the program. When the Graduate School receives your degree application, your information will be made available to the program to which you are applying. The program reviews your program application and supporting documents and makes a recommendation to the Graduate School. Upon receiving the nonrefundable application fee and a recommendation from the program, the Graduate School reviews your file to verify that the minimum admission requirements have been met. The Graduate School does not act on your application without a recommendation from the program committee. Questions regarding the completeness or status of your application should be directed to the program.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
The Statistics Department offers several graduate programs. Please note the specific application deadlines and additional instructions for each program.
Graduate Research Programs:
Applications are due by January 7th each year for the Doctorate in Statistics. We do not admit students outside of Penn State directly to the Master of Science in Statistics.
When completing your online application please choose Statistics as your Major and your choice of degree (MS or Ph.D.).
For more information on Graduate Research Programs and a review of frequently asked questions, please read Frequently Asked Questions or email admissions@stat.psu.edu.
Graduate Professional Program:
Master of Applied Statistics (Resident program at University Park)
Applications are due by February 1 of each year for summer and fall admission
Late application deadline (if space available) :
- May 1 for summer admission
- July 1 for fall admission.
For more information on the Master of Applied Statistics at University Park, please read Frequently Asked Questions, or email Dr. Mosuk Chow (mchow@stat.psu.edu).
Online Master of Applied Statistics Program (World Campus)
Application instructions and deadlines are different for our online program.
For information on applying and the application deadlines please visit:
www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/applied-statistics-masters/apply.
Electronic Application for PhD
For general information, click on how to apply.
If you are ready to proceed to the application but have NOT read the Graduate School requirements, please visit https://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-admissions/how-to-apply/new-applicants/requirements-for-graduate-admission/.
If you have read the Graduate School requirements and are ready to apply, you may proceed to the application at https://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-admissions/how-to-apply/.
- Three letters of recommendation are required for admission. Your references will be contacted electronically to complete a recommendation for you. In addition, they should copy and paste a formal letter of recommendation into the comments section of the electronic form.
- A resume or curriculum vitae should be uploaded when completing the online application.
- Transcripts: Applicants are required to electronically upload unofficial copies of transcripts (or equivalent documents for institutions outside the U.S., e.g., degree/study certificates, diplomas, etc.) from all post-secondary institutions attended, in the language of instruction (and copies of an official English translation if English is not the language of instruction). Applicants recommended for admission who accept an offer through the online graduate admission system will be notified by the Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents must be sent from the originating institutions in the official language of the institution(s) attended (and if the language of instruction is not English, an official English translation must also be sent). The Graduate School will review all official documents to finalize the offer of admission. An offer of admission will be revoked if official/original documents are not received by the Graduate School within specified deadlines, or if official/original documents differ from the copies uploaded by the applicant prior to the offer of admission. For applicants whose degree conferral is in progress at the time of uploading copies, the deadline specified for receipt of official/original documents will allow for the passage of the reported date of degree conferral, and that conferral must be confirmed on the official/original documents received by the Graduate School, in order for the offer of admission to be finalized.
- Official GRE (Institution code 2660, Department code 0705) and TOEFL (Institution code 2660, Department code 59, International Applicants Only) scores should be sent electronically from ETS to the Graduate School. Notice: The requirement to submit GRE scores is temporarily suspended for Fall 2021 Ph.D. applicants.
- Additional documents may be uploaded at the discretion of applicant (e.g. examples of research, personal statement, etc), but are not required.
GRADUATE MINOR
For more information on the Graduate Minor in Statistics, please visit: