Graduate Program in Kinesiology

Application and Admissions Process

General Notes

  1. To study in the Department of Kinesiology you have to apply to the Graduate School at Penn State. You apply online at the following Web site gradsch.psu.edu/portal/
  2. There is a fee for applying. To find the current non-refundable application fee go the following Eeb site, gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html. If you do not pay by credit card, you need to mail in a generated APPLICATION FEE FORM along with your payment. Please do not send cash. Make checks payable to The Pennsylvania State University. Be sure that international money orders or checks are drawn on a U.S. bank. Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt.
  3. To apply to the Department of Kinesiology Graduate Program, you must mail official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended, both undergraduate and graduate. International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English. Notarized copies are not sufficient. Our address is:

    4. Kinesiology Graduate Program
    266 Recreation Building
    The Pennsylvania State University
    University Park, PA 16802

  4. There are program specific parts of the on-line application. These are:
    • Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), general test. These scores can be sent to us directly by Educational Testing Service if you authorize it, to do this you will need the following codes:
      • Code for Penn State University is 2660.
      • Code for the Department of Kinesiology is 0623.
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation for those applying to study for a Ph.D., and two (2) for those applying to study for a masters degree. These recommendations should come from academic referees. Upon your submission of your referees contact information they will be sent an email from the Penn State Graduate School, requesting they complete an online recommendation letter.
    • Statement of your background and professional goals, including your specific research interests.
    • The name(s) of any faculty member(s) you are interested in working with.
  1. Only completed applications will be reviewed.
  2. Questions regarding the application process for the Kinesiology Graduate Program may be directed to kinesgrad@psu.edu.

Notes for International Applicants

  1. All international application whose first language is not English or who have not received a baccalaureate from an institute in which the language of instruction is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). These scores can be sent to us directly by Educational Testing Service if you authorize it, to do this you will need the following codes:
    • Code for Penn State University is 2660
    • Code for the Department of Kinesiology is 91.
  2. For the TOEFL the Graduate School require a minimum score of 550 (paper)/213 (computer) on the TOEFL iBT exam a total of 80, with at least 19 on speaking section.
  3. A minimum score of 650 (paper) is required if you would like to receive a Teaching Assistantship from the Department of Kinesiology. This score is equivalent to 280 computer based; or a score of 23 on speaking section and 114 total on iBT exam.
  4. The Department will make a decision concerning your admission into its program. If applicable, you will be sent an offer letter and information concerning an assistantship. This information will also be forwarded to the Graduate School and the International Student Service Office.
  5. After the Graduate School has reviewed your eligibility, approved and processed the offer they will automatically notify International Student Services (ISS) for action to commence the visa paperwork process.
  6. International Student Services will contact you if more information is needed. ISS will issue your visa related documents.

Note for all applicants

The Graduate School makes the final admission decision.