Graduate Program Application Procedures
In This Section:
To be considered for admission to the Penn State Graduate School and the Penn State School of Nursing you must complete two separate application forms: Penn State University Graduate School Application & the School of Nursing Application.
- Please note: only the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or 8.0 version will allow you to save a completed, or a partially completed form on your computer. If you do not have either of those versions, please go to www.adobe.com/downloads to download the free version.
- Please single space your Goal Statement and follow the character limitation stated in each application.
- Complete the Penn State School of Nursing Graduate Application (either Masters or Ph.D.) and click the "Submit by E-mail" button on the first or last page of either application. If you receive an error message when attempting to submit by E-mail, you have 1 of 2 options; 1) Click "Save As" and then manually attach document in your E-mail program and send to nursgrad@psu.edu or, 2) Print a hard copy and mail to the address on page 1 of your application. Always keep a hard copy for yourself before submitting by E-mail.
- Printed copy of the application may be submitted via USPS, if needed. Address for the School of Nursing is below.
- Due Dates for Applications:
Primary reviews are completed in October and March. Applications should be submitted at least one month prior to the review date. Off cycle reviews may be permitted for MS applicants. All Ph.D. applications are reviewed upon completion.
Step One
Program Application
A. Complete the Penn State School of Nursing Graduate Program Application and click the "Submit by Email" button on the first or last page of either application:
Post-Masters School of Nursing Application (.pdf file) - Ph.D. School of Nursing Application (.pdf file)
- MS School of Nursing Application (.pdf file)
B. You will be required to submit names for letters of reference on the university application. It is recommended that you obtain letters from academic & professional perspectives. If you attended college level courses over the last 5 years, an academic reference is required. Other references should be from a supervisor preferably with a degree higher than yours.
- Two letters are required for the Master's and Post-Master's program.
- Three letters are required for the Ph.D. program
Step Two
How to apply (University Application)
A. For information about application fees; please click on link below
B. Penn State Graduate School Application
Complete the Penn State application by going to the link below
Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal
Step Three
Ph.D. Applicants:
- Submit your Curriculum Vitae to the School of Nursing at nursgrad@psu.edu or click on the link below or on the last page of the School of Nursing application
- Submit a Sample of Your Scholarly Writing to the School of Nursing at nursgrad@psu.edu or click on the link below or on the last page of the School of Nursing application
- The Ph.D. program coordinator will contact you to arrange a personal interview
For Additional Information
If you have any questions concerning the application procedures, please write, call, or email:
The Pennsylvania State University
School of Nursing
Graduate Programs
210 Health and Human Development East
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-2211