How to Apply - IGDP

Upcoming deadlines for admissions:

Fall 2026 admissions for Ph.D. and thesis-based M.S. degree programs application deadline:

January 1, 2026

Fall 2026 admissions for Accelerated M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering (non-thesis) application deadline:

March 1, 2026 - Students requiring visa
April 1, 2026 - Student NOT requiring visa

Spring 2026 admission for Ph.D. and thesis-based M.S. degree program application deadline:

September 1, 2025

*Please note that we do not offer application fee waivers.

Admissions

To apply for admission to the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program (IGDP) in Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE), please submit letters of reference, your resume, supplemental material (e.g. research papers) via the graduate application website: Graduate School Online Application (Penn State no longer accepts mailed paper applications).

International students should review the procedures for obtaining a visa.

Please refer to the University Graduate School's How To Apply page for application procedures and fees.

GRE and TOEFL/IELTS Scores

Scores for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are optional, not required for admission. Penn State only accepts electronic GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS scores. Select "Penn State University" as the destination for test scores. The following code should be used when applying: Institution Code: 2660

Transcript Information

As part of the online application process, applicants are required to electronically upload copies of transcripts (or equivalent documents for institutions outside the U.S., e.g., degree/study certificates, diplomas, etc.) from all post-secondary institutions attended, in the language of instruction (and copies of an official English translation if English is not the language of instruction). Applicants recommended for admission who accept an offer through the online graduate admission system will be notified by the Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents must be sent from the originating institutions in the official language of the institution(s) attended (and if the language of instruction is not English, an official English translation must also be sent).

Tips for a Successful Application

If applicants are submitting Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (which are optional but not required for admission) and either Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (non-US residents only) as early as possible. For the narrative, applicants should focus primarily on professional and academic experiences, including research, student leadership, or co-curricular activities that develop a strength or had a significant impact on others.

Successful applicants typically have a Jr/Sr GPA greater than 3.3/4.0 and combined verbal and quantitative GRE Scores of 1150 (old system) / 308 (new system) or higher, with average quantitative metrics. Incoming classes exceed these values.

It is very helpful to be as specific as possible in declaring future interest in a general research area for thesis research. For guidance on what research areas are available at Penn State, please visit our IGDP Faculty Directory.

Financial Assistance

The IGDP is a research-driven program. Most Ph.D. and thesis-based M.S. students are supported by research assistantships that provide both a stipend and tuition. Offers for research assistantships are frequently made in coordination with faculty members who have identified a student for a particular research project. Therefore, direct communication with faculty members during the admissions process is encouraged.

Opportunities to teach are provided to interested graduate students later in their careers, but teaching assistantships are not a source of long-term support or a mechanism by which students can obtain support at the time of admission.

Department of Materials Science and Engineering