Graduate Program Application
Application due date: Dec. 1
Applications must be submitted through the Penn State Graduate School admissions portal. Per University policy, an applicant may only apply to one graduate degree program at a time. Make sure to apply to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Students who enter the program with a bachelor's degree are required to complete a master's degree en route to the doctoral degree. HDFS does not have a terminal master's program.
Contact the academic program coordinator with questions about the application process.
Please note that Penn State is in the Eastern Standard Time zone. If you are submitting on Dec. 1 and doing so from another time zone, please take this into account when determining the submission deadline.
Required application materials
When you are ready to apply, you may go to the application at the Graduate School admissions portal, which will guide you through the materials required by the University, as well as the program-specific required documents below. Learn about Penn State's Graduate School's requirements.
GRE scores are not required
HDFS uses a holistic review process to evaluate each applicant’s potential to succeed in the program. Each applicant will receive full consideration, regardless of whether GRE scores are submitted.
Although not required, some applicants may choose to submit GRE scores if they believe their application does not otherwise fully reflect their potential for success in graduate study in the behavioral sciences.
For example, if your undergraduate major is not closely related to the HDFS graduate curriculum or if you are returning to graduate school after working in another field, submitting GRE scores may be helpful. In these situations, it might be more difficult for your transcripts and letters of recommendation to directly address your potential for graduate study.
If you have any questions about whether to submit GRE scores or other questions about strengthening your application, please contact H. H. Cleveland, chair of the HDFS Admissions Committee.