Graduate Application Requirements

  1. A minimum of a 3.0 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) for the junior and senior years of undergraduate study
  2. A recent GRE score (within 5 years):
    A. Photocopies are accepted but originals must be furnished before final acceptance into the program
    B. Suggested scores for acceptance: Verbal 470, Quantitative 610, Analytical 4.5
  3. A resume
  4. Three letters of reference
  5. A written statement of objectives for undertaking graduate study, with an indication of desired career and research focus
  6. A completed RPTM Special Application for Admission and Financial Assistance
  7. A Recent TOEFL score (International students only)
  8. A phone interview with a member of the graduate faculty (International Students Only): faculty will contact applicant to set up interview

Application Deadlines*

Fall Semester - Jan 15th of any year
Spring Semester - October 1st of any year

*These deadlines are recommended; however, applications will be considered throughout the year. Assistantship decisions begin in late autumn.

Application Process

The process of applying for admission to graduate school at Penn State requires the following application materials, some of which are submitted to The Graduate school (Part 1) and others than must be sent directly to this graduate program (Part 2).

Part 1:

How to Apply

Graduate School Admissions and Program Information Portal

Part 2:

Mail the following items to Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Department, Graduate Program, 801 Ford Building, University Park, PA 16802:

  1. Two official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions
    • International applicants must submit official or attested university records (with certified translations if the records are not in English)
    • Notarized copies are not sufficient
    • Click on Transcript Request Form for a transcript request form
  2. GRE scores: Photocopies will be accepted initially but official copies are necessary for final acceptance into the program.
  3. Application for Admission and Financial Assistance (may be uploaded directly via the online application)
  4. Three Letters of Recommendation (may be uploaded directly via the online application)
  5. Resume (may be uploaded directly via the online application)
  6. Autobiographical Statement or Personal Statement of Purpose (may be uploaded directly via the online application)
  7. Application for Visa Document (International Applicants Only) (may be uploaded directly via the online application)

Financial Support

Several forms of financial support are available for graduate students in leisure studies. These include assistantships, fellowships, student loans, grants-in-aid, and wage payroll. Graduate assistantships are funded both through the university and from faculty research grants. A small number of wage payroll opportunities are available each year for teaching, research, and other university related work.