Graduate Application
Admission to the M.S., M.S.N., or Ph.D. Program
To be considered for admission to the Penn State Graduate School and the Penn State School of Nursing, you must complete the Penn State Graduate School Application (see Admission Requirements for more information).
Due Dates for Applications
Primary reviews for the M.S.N. program are done in October and March. Applications must be complete by September 15 and February 15 (including all transcripts, references, and goal statements) to be considered in the primary review. Off-cycle reviews may be permitted for M.S. applicants. All M.S. and Ph.D. applications are reviewed upon completion.
M.S., M.S.N., and Ph.D. Applicants
Complete the Penn State application by visiting the Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal. Original official transcripts should be mailed to the address at the bottom of this page.
For the M.S., M.S.N. (RI options: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) and Ph.D., when you begin the application, on the page titled Campus, Major, Degree, and Semester, choose University Park as your campus.
For the M.S.N. Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator options, when you begin the application, on the page titled Campus, Major, Degree, and Semester, choose World Campus as your campus.
In the section titled NURSING—Program-Specific Questions, you will be able to pick the campus where you will be attending classes.
For information about application fees, please visit the Graduate School's How to Apply page.
Additional Requirements for M.S. and Ph.D. Applicants
- Curriculum vita
- Sample of scholarly writing
- The associate dean for graduate education will contact you to arrange a personal interview
Post-Master's Certificate Applicants
For admission requirements for the post-M.S. Nurse Practitioner and Geriatric Nursing Education certificates, see Post-Master's Certificates.
For information about application fees, please visit the Graduate School's How to Apply page.
Complete the Penn State graduate certificate application by visiting the Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal.
Post-M.S. Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Applications for the Post-M.S. Nurse Practitioner options are reviewed once a year. All application materials must be submitted by April 15 to be included in the annual review.
When you begin the application, on the page titled Campus, Major, Degree, and Semester, choose University Park as your campus.
In the section titled NURSING—Program-Specific Questions, you will be able to pick the campus where you will be attending classes.
Post-M.S. Geriatric Nursing Education Certificate
When you begin the application, on the page titled Campus, Major, Degree, and Semester, choose World Campus as your campus.
Click here for more information about the Geriatric Nurse Educator certificate through the World Campus.
For Additional Information
If you have any questions concerning the application procedures, please write, call, or e-mail:
Graduate Programs
School of Nursing
The Pennsylvania State University
203 Health and Human Development East
University Park, PA 16802-6508
814-863-2211
