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Graduate Students

Electrical Engineering Requirements and Procedures

J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School Application

Make sure to select University Park (UP) as the campus location. The Fox Graduate School application includes the following:

Statement of Purpose (must be uploaded): A description of relevant experiences, technical interests, and the proposed field of study.
Résumé (must be uploaded) outlining educational background, professional experience, awards, honors, and publications.
Three (3) letters of recommendation (must be uploaded by references). You will be providing the names and contact information for your references in the online application.
Non-refundable application fee.
Official GRE Scores (sent to Penn State by ETS) (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) from the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE). Submit scores to Institution Code 2660. Order these early – they can take up to a month to reach us. Note: GRE scores are optional for applications.
International applicants must submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 600 for the paper-based test, 250 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 17 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Submit scores to Institution Code 2660. Order these early – they can take up to a month to reach us.
International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if they have received a baccalaureate (B.S.) or a master’s (M.S.) degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, and British West Indies, Canada (except Québec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the United States, and Wales.
Copies of transcripts, degree/study certificates, and diplomas in the language of instruction from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate should be uploaded online as part of the Fox Graduate School application. If English is not the language of instruction, copies of all transcripts/documents in the English translation also must be uploaded. Please see transcript tips for assistance.

Applicants recommended for admission will be notified by the Fox Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents and their official English translation must be sent from the originating institutions for review by the Fox Graduate School, in order to finalize an admission decision. Notarized copies are not sufficient.

Additional EE Department Admission Guidelines

Applicants should hold a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields such that any preparatory studies would take no more than one semester. Students with a minimum junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or equivalent and appropriate course backgrounds will be considered for admission.
Those holding M.S. degrees from other institutions may apply for entry directly to the Ph.D. program. Those holding B.S. degrees usually apply for the M.S. program, though highly qualified applicants with B.S. degrees may request immediate entry to the Ph.D. program. Those admitted to the Ph.D. program should expect to take qualifying exams within one year of entry.
Outstanding applicants are considered for support in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and various fellowships from the Department and the College of Engineering. To be considered for all forms of financial aid, fall applicants should supply all of the requested application items by December 15 (U.S. citizens by January 5).
Expedited admission for students completing MS/MENG degrees at Penn State Harrisburg to Ph.D. EE Program at Penn State University.
Departments do not collect the Application for Visa Document or any personal financial information from international applicants. Once an applicant has been offered admission and has accepted his/her offer of admission, the Directorate of International Student Advising (DISA) office will send them instructions and a link to enter immigration information and upload financial documentation directly into an electronic file within DISA’s database.

Application Deadlines

Fall Admissions: The application and all supporting documents must be received by December 15. All international applications will be considered for fall semesters only. All applications completed after December 15 will most likely not be reviewed. U.S. citizens must supply all application materials no later than six weeks before the beginning of the semester in which they plan to begin graduate studies. To be considered for financial aid for the fall semester, applications must be complete (all documents received) by January 5.

If you have read the specific requirements for electrical engineering then you may apply online by clicking here.

After submitting the Fox Graduate School application, you will receive a Penn State ID number via email.

Transcript Information

Copies of transcripts, degree/study certificates, and diplomas in the language of instruction from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate should be uploaded online as part of the Fox Graduate School Application. If English is not the language of instruction, copies of all transcripts/documents in the English translation must also be uploaded.