The Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree, and the Doctor of Education, a professional degree, are conferred by the University. Recognized as different in purpose, the two programs consequently have different requirements in certain respects.
A student who has been admitted to the Graduate School and has been accepted by the department or committee in charge of a major program in which the doctorate is offered may begin working toward a doctoral degree. However, the student has no official status as a doctoral student and no assurance of acceptance as a doctoral candidate until the candidacy examination has been passed. This examination is administered by the major department or graduate program and is given early in the student's program.
It is the policy of the Graduate School not to encourage applicants to work for a second doctoral degree. (See Policy on Second Doctorates). However, the President, on recommendation of the dean of the Graduate School, will welcome, as guests, holders of earned doctoral degrees who may be visiting the University Park campus for purposes of noncredit study. Guest privileges apply to persons holding the degree from Penn State or other accredited colleges and universities. Guests may attend seminars and courses and, if space and facilities are available, carry on research. There will be no charge except for laboratory expenses. Arrangements should be made in advance with the dean of the Graduate School.
No specified number of courses completed or credits earned will assure attainment of the doctorate. The general requirements are based upon a period of residence, the writing of a satisfactory dissertation acceptance by the doctoral committee and the Graduate School, and the passing of a comprehensive and a final oral examination. A doctoral program consists of such a combination of course seminars and individual study and research as meets the minimum requirements of the Graduate School and is approved by the doctoral committee for each individual student.
A master's degree is not a prerequisite for the doctorate in some major programs. However, the first year of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. may be substantially the same as that provided for the M.A. or M.S. degree. Similarly, the first year of the D.Ed. program may be essentially the same as that provided for the M.Ed. degree.
A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for work done at the University is required for doctoral candidacy, for admission to the comprehensive examination, the final oral examination, and for graduation.
A doctoral student is required to complete the program, including acceptance
of the doctoral thesis, within eight years from the date of successful completion
of the candidacy examination. Individual programs may set shorter time limits.
Extensions may be granted by the Director of Graduate Enrollment Services
in appropriate circumstances.
A maximum of 30 credits beyond the baccalaureate at an accredited school not granting the doctorate in the student's major program may be accepted by the Graduate School in partial fulfillment of the requirement for a D.Ed. degree at Penn State. A maximum of two full academic years of work (60 credits) beyond the baccalaureate at an accredited graduate school that grants the doctorate in the candidate's major program may be accepted here to apply toward D.Ed. degree requirements. A completed master's degree may be transferred to a D.Ed. program with no intervening time limitation. Because there is no total-credit requirement for the Ph.D. degree program, advanced standing is not awarded for a master's degree. Advanced standing is awarded for only one master's degree.
Subject to the approval of the adviser and the head of the major department or program chair, a student may register for research to be done away from the University Park campus.
Academic work to be so transferred must meet the following criteria:
1. It must have been completed within five years prior to the date of first degree registration at the Graduate School of Penn State (see below);
2. It must appear on an official graduate transcript;
3. It must be of at least B quality;
4. It must be deemed applicable to the student's program by the current academic adviser, approved in writing, and submitted to the Graduate School for approval and action.
Credits earned toward a previously completed postbaccalaureate professional degree program (law, medicine, etc.) are not transferrable. However, up to 10 credits can be transferred from a professional degree program if the degree has not been conferred. All transfer credit must be substantiated by the former institution as having at least B quality whatever grading system is in place (e.g., this includes P/F grading).
Following admittance to a degree program, the student should confer with the head of that major department or program concerning procedures and the appointment of an academic adviser. Consultation or arrangement of the details of the student's semester-by-semester schedule is the function of the academic adviser. This person may be a member of the doctoral committee or someone else designated by the head of the major program for this specific duty. The academic adviser may be different from the dissertation adviser.
Doctoral Committee--General guidance of a doctoral candidate is the
responsibility of a doctoral committee consisting of four or more active members
of the Graduate Faculty, which includes at least two faculty members in the
major field, and one outside member, as described below. The dissertation
adviser must be a member of the doctoral committee and usually (but is not
required to) serves as chair. If the candidate has a minor, that field must
be represented on the committee. (See also Major Program and Minor Field under
D.Ed.—Additional Specific Requirements in this bulletin.) This committee
is appointed by the graduate dean through the Office of Graduate Enrollment
Services, upon recommendation of the head of the major program, soon after
the student is admitted to candidacy. A person not affiliated with Penn State
who has particular expertise in the candidate’s research area may be
added as a special member, upon recommendation by the head of the program
and approval of the graduate dean (via the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services).
A special member is expected to participate fully in the functions of the
doctoral committee. If the special member is asked only to read and approve
the doctoral dissertation, that person is designated a special signatory. Occasionally, special signatories may be drawn from within the
Penn State faculty in particular situations.
Chair--The chair or at least one co-chair must be a member of the specific graduate faculty of the doctoral program in which the candidate is enrolled. A retired or emeritus faculty member may chair a doctoral committee if he/she began chairing the committee prior to retirement and has the continuing approval of the department head or program chair. The primary duties of the chair are: (1) to maintain the academic standards of the doctoral program and the Graduate School, (2) to ensure that the comprehensive and final examinations are conducted in a timely fashion, (3) to arrange and conduct all meetings, and (4) to ensure that requirements set forth by the committee are implemented in the final version of the thesis.
Outside Member--While one or more members of the doctoral committee
may be from outside the department in which the graduate program resides,
an official “outside member” must be appointed, who serves a specific
role as described below. The primary responsibilities of this outside member
are (1) to maintain the academic standards of the Graduate School and (2)
to assure that all procedures are carried out fairly. The outside member represents
the Graduate School; and, as such, the outside member shall be a member of
the Graduate Faculty but need not have direct expertise in the research area
of the candidate. The outside member may contribute technical expertise, but
this role is subordinate to the aforementioned primary responsibilities. In
this context, the head of the doctoral program will recommend to the dean
(via the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services) a sufficient number of members,
exclusive of the outside member, so that sufficient technical expertise is
represented on the committee. Thus, the outside member may be in addition
to a full complement of committee members with technical expertise in the
area. Heads of doctoral programs will seek an outside member who has no conflicts
of interest with members of the committee, in such a way as to preclude their
fulfilling the primary duties as the outside member. The outside member shall
not hold a budgetary or adjunct appointment in the department or academic
unit to which the student’s doctoral program belongs. The outside member
shall also not have a budgetary or adjunct appointment in or other conflict
of interest with the unit(s) to which either the chair or the dissertation
adviser belongs. The outside member cannot chair or co-chair the committee.
This does not preclude other members of the Graduate Faculty regardless of
budgetary appointment from serving on the committee, and potentially in dual
roles, for example, as co-chair. The committee member representing the minor
may serve as the outside member if his or her budgetary appointment satisfies
the conditions noted above.
The membership of doctoral committees should be periodically reviewed by the program chair to ensure that its members continue to qualify for service on the committee in their designated roles. For example, if budgetary appointments, employment at the University, etc., have changed since initial appointment to the committee, changes to the commmittee membership may be necessary. If changes are warranted, they should be made as soon as possible to prevent future problems that may delay academic progress for the student (e.g., ability to conduct the comprehensive or final examinations).
Responsibilities of Doctoral Committees--The doctoral committee is responsible for approving the broad outline of the student’s program and should review the program as soon as possible after the student’s admission to candidacy. Moreover, continuing communication among the student, the committee chair, the research supervisor, and the members of the committee is strongly recommended, to preclude misunderstandings and to develop a collegial relation between the candidate and the committee.
Doctoral Examination--The (entire) committee will prepare and administer
the examination, and evaluate the candidate’s performance on the examination.
If a committee member is unable to attend the final oral defense, the member
may sign as a special signatory. A revised committee appointment form will
need to be sent to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, 114 Kern Building,
removing the faculty member as a regular committee member and moving the member
to a special signatory. If there are then not enough members serving on the
committee (i.e., four or more active members of the Graduate Faculty) another
Penn State faculty member will need to replace that member to constitute a
legitimate doctoral committee. (Substitutes are not permitted.) These changes
and approvals shall occur before the actual examination takes place. The department
or program head will notify the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services when
the candidate is ready to have the comprehensive and the final oral examinations
scheduled and will report the results of these examinations to that office.
The dissertation adviser, as well as the chair of the doctoral committee (if not the same individual as the dissertation adviser), along with additional members of the committee to total a minimum of three (3), must by physically present at the final oral examination. The graduate student must also be physically present at the exam. (Thus for a five-person committee, two could participate via distance.) No more than one member may participate via telephone; a second member could participate via PicTel. The examination request and a request for exceptions must be submitted to the director of Graduate Enrollment Services for approval at least two weeks prior to the date of the exam. Special arrangements, i.e., requirements for meeting participation via distance, should be communicated to the student and the doctoral committee members well in advance of the examination.
A favorable vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the committee is
required for passing a comprehensive or a final oral examination. If a candidate
fails an examination, it is the responsibility of the doctoral committee to
determine whether another examination may be taken.
The committee examines the dissertation, administers the final oral examination,
and signs the approval page of the dissertation. At least two-thirds of the
committee must approve the dissertation.
A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is required to demonstrate high-level competence in the use of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking, as part of the language and communication requirements for the Ph.D. Programs are expected to establish mechanisms for assessing and improving competence of both domestic and international students. Assessments should include pieces of original writing. Programs and advisers should identify any deficiencies before or at the candidacy examination and direct students into appropriate remedial activities. Competence must be formally attested by the program before the doctoral comprehensive examination is scheduled. (International students should note that passage of the minimal TOEFL or IELTS requirement does not demonstrate the level of competence expected of a Ph.D. from Penn State.)
COMMUNICATION AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMPETENCE
In addition to demonstrating competence in English as described above, each
candidate for the Ph.D. must meet communication and foreign language requirements
that have been established within the major program. The candidate should
ascertain specific language requirements by contacting the professor in charge
of the program, whose name appears with the program description under Graduate
Programs, Faculty, and Courses.
Candidates for the Doctor of Education degree may be required to demonstrate
competence in foreign languages.
CANDIDACY EXAMINATION
Every student who wishes to pursue a doctorate must take a candidacy examination
administered by the Graduate Faculty in the graduate major program. The purpose
of the candidacy examination should be to assess whether the student is capable
of conducting doctoral research based on evidence of critical thinking or
other measures that the Graduate Faculty of the program view as important
to a successful doctoral student. It should be taken early in the student’s
program. The nature of the examination varies with the program and may be
the master’s examination if so prescribed by the program and understood
by the student. The decision to admit or not to admit a student to candidacy
must be made by the graduate faculty or a designated committee of graduate
faculty in the program. For the Ph.D. student, the examination may be given
after at least 18 credits have been earned in graduate courses beyond the
baccalaureate. The examination must be taken within three semesters (summer
sessions do not count) of entry into the doctoral program.
The student must be registered as a full-time or part-time degree student
for the semester (excluding summer session) in which the candidacy examination
is taken.
For the D.Ed. student, the examination should be given when the student has
earned a total of about 30 credits, including the master’s program and
work done elsewhere. A student transferring from another graduate school with
30 or more transfer credits must take the candidacy examination prior to earning
more than 25 credits at Penn State.
When a candidate for the Ph.D. or D.Ed. degree has substantially completed
all course work, a comprehensive examination is given. The examination is
intended to evaluate the candidate’s mastery of the major (and if appropriate,
minor) field. (Note: Some programs require students to pass various “area”
examinations, “cumulative” examinations, and the like, or require
presentation of a thesis proposal, prior to the comprehensive. These are matters
of departmental or program policy, distinct from the general policies of the
Graduate School described here.)
A candidate for the Ph.D. must have satisfied the English competence and
the communication and foreign language requirement before taking the comprehensive
examination.
All candidates are required to have a minimum grade-point average of 3.00
for work done at the University at the time the comprehensive examination
is given, and may not have deferred or missing grades.
The student must be registered as a full-time or part-time student for the
semester in which the comprehensive examination is taken.
The examination is scheduled and announced officially by the Office of Graduate
Enrollment Services upon recommendation of the department or program head.
Two weeks’ notice is required by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services
for scheduling this examination, which may be open to the public at the department’s
discretion. It is given and evaluated by the entire doctoral committee and
may be either written or oral, or both. A favorable vote of at least two-thirds
of the members of the committee is required for passing. In case of failure,
it is the responsibility of the doctoral committee to determine whether the
candidate may take another examination. The results are reported to the Office
of Graduate Enrollment Services.
The dissertation adviser, as well as the chair of the doctoral committee (if not the same individual as the dissertation adviser), along with additional members of the committee to total a minimum of three (3), must by physically present at the comprehensive examination. The graduate student must also be physically present at the exam. (Thus for a
five-person committee, two could participate via distance.) No more than one
member may participate via telephone; a second member could participate via
PicTel. The examination request and a request for exceptions must be submitted
to the director of Graduate Enrollment Services for approval at least two
weeks prior to the date of the exam. Special arrangements, i.e., requirements
for meeting participation via distance, should be communicated to the student
and the doctoral committee members well in advance of the examination.
When a period of more than six years has elapsed between the passing of the
comprehensive examination and the completion of the program, the student is
required to pass a second comprehensive examination before the final oral
examination will be scheduled.
The doctoral candidate who has satisfied all other requirements for the degree
will be scheduled by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, on the recommendation
of the department or program head, to take a final examination. Two weeks’
notice is required by the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services for scheduling
this examination. Normally the final oral examination may not be scheduled
until at least three months have elapsed after the comprehensive examination
was passed, although the director of Graduate Enrollment Services may grant
a waiver in appropriate cases. It is the responsibility of the doctoral candidate
to provide a copy of the dissertation to each member of the doctoral committee at
least one week before the date of the scheduled examination.
Both the dissertation adviser and the student are responsible for ensuring the
completion of a draft of the dissertation and for adequate consultation with members
of the dissertation committee well in advance of the oral examination. Major revisions
to the dissertation should be completed before this examination. The dissertation
should be in its final draft, with appropriate notes, bibliography, tables,
etc., at the time of the oral examination; both the content and style should
be correct and polished by the time this final draft of the dissertation is in the hands of the committee.
The final examination of the doctoral candidate is an oral examination administered
and evaluated by the entire doctoral committee. It consists of an oral presentation
of the dissertation by the candidate and a period of questions and responses. These
will relate in large part to the dissertation, but may cover the candidate’s
entire program of study, because a major purpose of the examination is also
to assess the general scholarly attainments of the candidate. The portion
of the examination in which the dissertation is presented is open to the public.
The dissertation adviser, as well as the chair of the doctoral committee (if not the same individual as the dissertation adviser), along with additional members of the committee to total a minimum of three (3), must by physically present at the final oral examination. The graduate
student must also be physically present at the exam. (Thus for a five-person
committee, two could participate via distance.) No more than one member may
participate via telephone; a second member could participate via PicTel. The
examination request and a request for exceptions must be submitted to the
director of Graduate Enrollment Services for approval at least three weeks
prior to the date of the exam. Special arrangements, i.e., requirements for
meeting participation via distance, should be communicated to the student
and the doctoral committee members well in advance of the examination.
The student must be registered as a full-time or part-time degree student
for the semester in which the final oral examination is taken.
A favorable vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the committee is
required for passing. The results of the examination are reported to the Office
of Graduate Enrollment Services. If a candidate fails, it is the responsibility
of the doctoral committee to determine whether another examination may be
taken.
Completion of the requirements of a doctoral degree program entails acceptance of the dissertation, as indicated by the signatures of at least two-thirds of the doctoral committee, including the dissertation adviser, committee chair, and the program chair or department head on its approval page, and by its acceptance as meeting the editorial standards of the Graduate School, so that it constitutes a suitable archival document for inclusion in the University Libraries. Thus it is to be noted that passage of the final oral examination is necessary but not sufficient for award of the degree; the dissertation must be accepted, as the ultimate step.
Ph.D.--ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is conferred in recognition of high attainment and productive scholarship in some special field of learning as evidenced by:
1. The satisfactory completion of a prescribed period of study and investigation;
2. The preparation and formal acceptance of a dissertation involving independent research;
3. The successful passing of examinations covering both the special subject and the general
field of learning of which this subject forms a part.
Residence Requirements--There is no required minimum number of credits or semesters of study, but over some twelve-month period during the interval between admission to the Ph.D. program and completion of the Ph.D. program, the candidate must spend at least two semesters (summer sessions are not included) as a registered full-time student engaged in academic work at the University Park campus, the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, or Penn State Harrisburg. Full-time University employees must be certified by the department as devoting half-time or more to graduate studies and/or thesis research to meet the degree requirements. Students should note that 601 cannot be used to meet the full-time residence requirement. (See Credit Loads and Academic Status.)
Continuous Registration--It is expected
that all graduate students will be properly registered at a credit level appropriate
to their degree of activity. (See Registration.) After a Ph.D. candidate has
passed the comprehensive examination and met the two-semester full-time residence
requirement, the student must register continuously for each fall and spring
semester (beginning with the first semester after both of the above requirements
have been met) until the Ph.D. thesis is accepted and approved by the doctoral
committee. (Students who are in residence during summers must also register
for summer sessions.)
Post-comprehensive Ph.D. students can maintain registration by registering for credits in the usual way, or by registering for noncredit 601 or 611, depending upon whether they are devoting full time or part time to thesis preparation. Students may take 601 plus up to 3 credits of course work for audit by paying only the dissertation fee. Students wishing to take up to 3 credits of course work for credit, i.e., 590, 602, etc., with 601 may do so by paying the dissertation fee and an additional flat fee. Enrolling for either 3 credits for audit or credit will be the maximum a student may take with SUBJ 601 without special approval by the Graduate School. NOTE: Registration for additional credits above the 3 credits allowable will incur an additional charge at the appropriate tuition per-credit rate (in state or out of state). Students wishing to take more than 3 additional credits of course work (i.e., more than 6 total credits, with approval) must register for 600 or 611 (i.e., not for 601, which is full-time thesis preparation).
Note that the least expensive way for a
student to maintain full-time status while working on research and thesis
preparation is to register for 601. This clearly is the procedure of choice
for international students who need to maintain status as full-time students
for visa purposes.
If a Ph.D. student will not be in residence
for an extended period for compelling reasons, the director of Graduate Enrollment
Services will consider a petition for a waiver of the continuous registration
requirement. The petition must come from the doctoral committee chair and
carry the endorsement of the department or program chair.
Minor Field--A Ph.D. candidate is
not required by the Graduate Faculty to have a minor field of study. However,
a department or a committee in charge of a major field may require a candidate
to offer work in a minor field, or a student may elect such a program with
the permission of the doctoral committee.
A doctoral minor consists of no fewer than 15 graduate
credits of integrated or articulated work in one field related to, but different
from, that of the major. Programs should consider that a doctoral minor should represent curriculum and study that reflect graduate-level concepts and scholarship, with a preponderance of courses at the 500-level, however, at a minimum, 6 credits must be at the 500-level. A minor normally may be taken only in one of the
approved graduate degree programs offered at Penn State, or in a formal graduate
minor program that has been approved by the Graduate Council, such as the
minors in comparative and international education; gerontology; high performance
computing; literary theory, criticism, and aesthetics; linguistics;
medieval studies; religious studies; science, techology, and society; second
language acquisition; social thought; or women’s studies. The minor field
chosen must have the approval of the departments or committees responsible
for both the major program and the minor field. If more than one minor is
being proposed, a separate group of courses must be taken for each (i.e.,
none of the courses may be used concurrently). If the student received a master’s
minor in the same field as is being proposed for a doctoral minor, the 15
credits taken must be above and beyond those used for the master’s minor.
However, credits earned in the master’s program over and above those
applied to either the master’s minor or major may be applied to a minor
in the Ph.D. program.
At least one faculty member from the minor
field must be on the candidate’s doctoral committee.
Dissertation --The ability to do independent
research and competence in scholarly exposition must be demonstrated by the
preparation of a dissertation on some topic related to the major subject. It should
represent a significant contribution to knowledge, be presented in a scholarly
manner, reveal an ability on the part of the candidate to do independent research
of high quality, and indicate considerable experience in using a variety of
research techniques. The contents and conclusions of the dissertation must be defended
at the time of the final oral examination.
When a complete draft of the dissertation has
been compiled, the student must submit it to the Thesis Office for format
review. Submission for format review must be made by the announced deadline
for the semester/session in which the degree will be conferred. After a successful
defense and after signed approval by the advisers and/or committee members
and the department head or graduate program chair, the final archival copy of the dissertation (incorporating any format changes requested by the Thesis Office),
must be uploaded as an eTD (electronic dissertation) by the announced deadline for the
semester/session in which the degree will be conferred. It is also expected
that the student will provide a final archival copy of the dissertation to the office
of the department or program head.
A Thesis Guide, which gives details concerning format and other requirements, can be accessed at: www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html.
D.Ed.--ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The D.Ed. degree is conferred in recognition of advanced preparation of a high order for work in the profession of education as evidenced by:
1. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed period of study;
2. Ability to apply scientific principles to practitioner problems in a variety of education endeavors;
3. Preparation of dissertation demonstrating ability to undertake an educational problem with originality and independent thought;
4. Successful performance on major and minor examinations, showing a satisfactory grasp of the field of specialization and its relation to allied education areas.
Residence Requirement--A minimum of 90 credits, of which at least 30 credits must be earned in residence at University Park campus, or Penn State Harrisburg if the degree is offered at that location, is required for the D.Ed. degree. The D.Ed. candidate may meet the requirements by attending summer sessions unless the major department requires a period of registration during the regular academic year. A candidate may register for a maximum of 30 credits of research in absentia, but none of these may count toward the minimum of 30 credits that must be earned at the University Park campus or Penn State Harrisburg if the degree is offered at that location. It is expected that students will register for a minimum of 15 credits of thesis research.
Major Program and Minor Field--The
program of study includes a major and either a minor or a group of general
studies. A majority of the courses offered in fulfillment of the requirements
must be in the major program of study.
A candidate choosing a major outside the
fields of professional education (such as history) shall have a minor consisting
of no fewer than 15 graduate credits in professional education, as recommended
to the director of Graduate Enrollment Services early in the major program
with the approval of a faculty adviser from the minor area.
A candidate choosing a major in one of the
approved programs in professional education must also choose either a minor
or a group of general studies with the approval of the major program chair.
In this case, a minor consists of no fewer than 15 graduate credits in a field
considered by the major program committee to provide valuable intellectual
and/or professional depth and breadth for the candidate. There must be at
least one faculty member from the minor field on the candidate’s doctoral
committee. The minor may include courses taken as part of a previous master’s
degree program, if the minor is in an area different from the master’s,
and if the courses were not a required part of the program, e.g., used to
meet a total credit requirement.
An acceptable general studies group consists
of at least 15 graduate credits, including those taken as part of a previous
master’s degree (up to 6 credits), considered by the major program committee
to provide valuable intellectual breadth for the candidate. (Note that a general
studies group is not a minor and is not entered as such on the student’s
transcript.)
A candidate entering with a master’s
degree in a field that would normally be regarded as appropriate for a minor
may petition the major program committee for a waiver of the minor requirement.
If the program chair then approves, a request for a waiver may be submitted
by the chair to the director of Graduate Enrollment Services. Waiving the
minor requirement does not reduce the residence or total credit requirements
for the D.Ed. degree.
Comprehensive Examination--In addition
to demonstrating a high level of competence in the subject matter in the major
program and minor field, each candidate must show, by a comprehensive examination,
an understanding of current theories of education and the ability to apply
the techniques and findings of educational research so far as they bear upon
the teaching of the subject matter. The candidate must also be able to understand
and contribute to the technical and professional literature in the field,
and to criticize learned procedures in the light of historical trends and
practices in this and other countries. Command of the tools for a thorough
study of the problems of education is necessary and must include competence
in the use of statistical methods. For certain students the requirements may
include a reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages.
All candidates are required to have a minimum
grade-point average of 3.00 for academic work done at the University at the
time the comprehensive examination is given.
Dissertation --Evidence of a high degree
of scholarship, competence in scholarly exposition, and ability to select,
organize, and apply knowledge must be presented by the candidate in the form
of a written dissertation. The candidate must demonstrate a capacity for independent
thought, as well as ability and originality in the application of educational
principles or in the development of a new generalization under scientific
controls. A dissertation may be based upon a product or project of a professional
nature, provided scholarly research is involved. For example, it may be based
upon the solution of a professional problem concerned with the development
of a curriculum, or a product of creative effort related to education. However,
in order to be acceptable as a dissertation, professional project must be accompanied
by a written discourse demonstrating the nature of the research and including
such theories, experiments, and other rational processes as were used in effecting
the final result. The topic and outline of the proposed dissertation must have the
approval of the doctoral committee.
When a complete draft of the dissertation has
been compiled, the student must submit it to the Thesis Office for format
review. Submission for format review must be made by the announced deadline
for the semester/session in which the degree will be conferred. After a successful
defense and after signed approval by the advisers and/or committee members
and the department head or graduate program chair, the final archival copy
of the dissertation (incorporating any format changes requested by the Thesis Office),
must be uploaded as an eTD (electronic dissertation) by the announced deadline for the
semester/session in which the degree will be conferred. It is also expected
that the student will provide a final archival copy of the disseration to the office
of the department or program head.
A Thesis Guide, which gives details concerning format and other requirements, can be accessed at: www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html.
The Graduate School recognizes a difference in purpose, which is reflected in the requirements, for two types of advanced degrees: academic and professional. Of the master’s degrees conferred at the University, the Master of Arts and Master of Science are academic in nature. The Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees have similar requirements, the general major area determining which degree is conferred. Programs for both degrees are strongly oriented towards research and the creation of new knowledge.
The professional master’s degree emphasizes practical application of knowledge for solving problems. The professional graduate degrees currently conferred are Master of Agriculture, Master of Applied Statistics, Master of Architectural Engineering, Master of Architecture, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Engineering, Master of Environmental Pollution Control, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Finance, Master of Forest Resources, Master of Geographic Information Systems, Master of Health Administration, Master of Homeland Security, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Leadership Development, Master of Manufacturing Management, Master of Music, Master of Music Education, Master of Project Management, Master of Professional Studies, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Software Engineering.
For all master’s degrees, a minimum of 30 graduate credits is required. Effective fall 2007, at least 18 credits at the 500-level or above (with at least 6 credits of 500-level in professional master’s programs) must be included in the program and a significant culminating or “capstone” experience or other mechanism to demonstrate evidence of analytical ability and synthesis of material is required.
—For academic degrees, this culminating experience must include the completion of either a thesis or a suitable essay or paper
—For professional degrees, the culminating experience may take other forms, including but not limited to an internship, an exhibition, a production, a comprehensive examination, or a capstone course. The specific form of the culminating experience is determined by the major program.
A degree is not conferred for a mere collection of credits. A well-balanced, unified, and complete program of study is required, including the preparation and acceptance of a high-quality written document (thesis, paper, or project report) or other approved culminating experience. The overall program of the student frequently will exceed the minimum requirements as specified under the Additional Specific Requirements for the degree title.
A student may meet the degree requirements by either full- or part-time enrollment and by attendance in any combination of semesters and summer sessions. The student who interrupts the continuity of registration faces the possibility of not being granted permission to return.
A minimum grade-point average of 3.00 for work done at the University is required for graduation and to maintain good academic standing.
All requirements for a master's degree (including acceptance of a thesis, paper, or project report as may be specified), whether satisfied on the University Park campus or elsewhere, must be met within eight years of admission to degree status. Individual programs may set shorter time limits. Extensions may be granted by the Director of Graduate Enrollment Services in appropriate circumstances.
In addition to the general University requirements for admission, adequate undergraduate preparation is required in the program in which the applicant expects to pursue advanced work. The specific courses and the total number of undergraduate credits required in various areas will be determined by the choice of program and can be ascertained from the descriptive statement appearing under the graduate program heading in the latter portion of this bulletin. An applicant who meets the necessary grade-point average but is deficient in course preparation may, under certain circumstances, be admitted to the Graduate School and be allowed to make up the undergraduate deficiencies. Under these circumstances the program will require more than the necessary period of residence. An applicant for admission to the M.Ed. program in most major programs is required to have had at least 18 credits in education and related psychology, and in certain major programs may be required to have had practice teaching.
Requirements concerning courses, language proficiency, minors, comprehensive examinations, and other matters are sometimes made by departments or programs in addition to (but not in conflict with) the regulations of the Graduate School. For details the student should consult the head of the major department or program.
After admission to a degree program, a student should confer with the head of the major department or program concerning the appointment of an adviser. The general guidance of a master's candidate is the responsibility of an adviser, who is a member of the Graduate Faculty, or of a committee appointed in a manner to be determined by the major department or program in which the student is specializing. The adviser or the committee assists the student in planning a program of study. Although the adviser is frequently the supervisor of the thesis, this is not necessarily the case.
Subject to the limitations given, a maximum of 10 credits of high-quality graduate work done at an accredited institution may be applied toward the requirements for the master's degree. However, credits earned to complete a previous master's degree may not be applied to a second master's degree program at Penn State.
The student should distinguish carefully between the transferability of credit and its applicability in a particular degree program. Approval to apply any transferred credits toward a degree program must be granted by the student's academic adviser and the Graduate School. Transferred academic work must have been completed within five years prior to the date of first degree registration at the Graduate School, must be of at least B quality (grades of B- are not transferrable), and must appear on an official graduate transcript. Credits earned toward a previously completed postbaccalaureate professional degree program (law, medicine, etc.) are not transferrable. However, up to 10 credits can be transferred from a professional degree program if the degree has not been conferred.
All transfer credit must be substantiated by the former institution as having at least B quality whatever grading system is in place. Pass-fail grades are not transferable to an advanced degree program unless the "Pass" can be substantiated by the former institution as having at least B quality.
Forms for transfer of credit can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, 114 Kern Building or the graduate program.
Residency requirements have previously been met by a period of enrollment
or the completion of a minimum number of credits that are administratively
associated with a specific Penn State campus. In some cases this can allow
students who never set foot on any Penn State campus to satisfy residency
requirements by taking classes offered by distance means. In other cases,
it can limit access to graduate education by imposing a burden on students
who are location-bound or who can most effectively complete their graduate
studies by combining courses offered at different Penn State locations.
For professional degree programs (M.Eng., M.Agr., M.Ed., etc.), it may not always be possible, desirable, or necessary to fulfill residency in the traditional manner. Availability of professional mentors and access to unique facilities at students’ work sites or other locales may, in some instances, confer special advantages in well-designed off-campus degree programs. Professional degree programs that are not “off-campus degree programs” (i.e., those in which less than half of the course credits consist of off-campus courses) implicitly have a substantial involvement of the students with the campus responsible for the program, thus fulfilling the majority of the functions of residency. However, professional degree programs that are offered off-campus must incorporate as many of the essential elements of residency as possible, including faculty–student and student–student interaction, access to instructional and other resources, exposure to and socialization in the field of study, and suitable academic advising.
Policies and guidelines pertaining to the offering of "off-campus" graduate degree programs are available through the dean of the Graduate School, 114 Kern Building, or at the following Web site: www.gradsch.psu.edu/policies/faculty/offcampus.html.
A candidate may be required to pass in a satisfactory manner written or oral
examinations designated by the program. A candidate should consult the major
department or program for special requirements.
Examinations to establish credit for work done in absentia or without formal
class work may be used to remove undergraduate deficiencies, but not to earn
credits toward an advanced degree. Arrangements are made by the student directly
with the major department head or program chair.
The Master of Arts and the Master of Science degrees have similar requirements,
the general major area determining which degree is conferred. Programs for
both degrees are strongly oriented toward research.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, of which at least 20 must be
earned at the established graduate campus/center of the University where the
program is offered. Some graduate programs require additional credits; the
exact number can be determined by consulting the specific program description
in the subsequent section, Graduate Programs, Faculty, and Courses. A minor
is not required of all candidates for the M.A. or M.S. degree. A department
or committee in charge of a major program may require a candidate to offer
work in a minor field, or the minor may be elected with the permission of
the student’s committee.
Any member of the Penn State faculty with at least assistant professor rank
may participate in the guidance and examination of master’s candidates
and sign master’s thesis signatory pages. Special signatories occasionally
are requested and approved for master’s thesis. The supervisor of the
master’s work must be a member of the Graduate Faculty.
A master's minor consists of no fewer than 6 credits of integrated or articulated
work in one field related to, but different from, that of the major. Programs should consider that a minor at the graduate level should represent curriculum and study that reflect graduate-level concepts and scholarship, with a preponderance of courses at the 500-level, however, at a minimum, 3 credits must be at the 500-level. A minor
program must be in one of the approved graduate degree programs offered at
Penn State and must have the approval of the departments or committees responsible
for both the major program and the minor field.
The major department or the committee in charge of the major program is the
judge as to the suitability of a field for the minor and of its relevance
to the major. The minor field department has the responsibility of accepting
or rejecting students, advising on courses to be taken by the candidate in
the field, examining the candidate in the area of studies undertaken in the
field, and certifying that the minor requirements have been met.
At least 18 credits in the 500 and 600 series, combined, must be included
in the program. A minimum of 12 credits in course work (400 and 500 series),
as contrasted with research, must be completed in the major program. A thesis
is required of many candidates for these degrees. Details are given in the
introductory paragraphs under the major program headings in the latter part
of this bulletin. If a student is required to write a thesis, at least 6 credits
in thesis research (600 or 610) must be included in the program. If no thesis
is required, at least 18 credits must be in 500-level courses.
A thesis is prepared under the direction of the department or program in
which the candidate’s major work is taken. Under certain conditions a
student may complete the thesis off campus. To do so, satisfactory arrangements
must be made in advance with the adviser and the head of the major department
or program.
When a complete draft of the thesis has been compiled, the student must submit it to the Thesis Office for format review. Submission for format review must be made by the announced deadline for the semester/session in which the degree will be conferred. After a successful defense and after signed approval by the advisers and/or committee members and the department head or graduate program chair, the final archival copy of the thesis (incorporating any format changes requested by the Thesis Office), must be deposited with the Thesis Office or uploaded to the eTD Web site by the announced deadline for the semester/session in which the degree will be conferred. It is also expected that the student will provide a final archival copy of the thesis to the office of the department or program head.
A Thesis Guide, which gives details concerning format and other requirements, can be accessed at: www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/thesis.html.
Candidates who are not required to write a thesis must present a suitable
essay or paper. Its nature and extent shall be determined by the major program.
The department head or program chair shall report to the Office of Graduate
Enrollment Services that the student has met the approved requirement. The
department or program is responsible for ensuring that the work is finalized
by the published deadline for the semester/session. The program head may require
one or more copies of the essay for the program’s library or files.
Some programs in the field of education offer the M.S. degree but prefer
to admit students into the M.Ed. degree program. Other programs that emphasize
research prefer to admit only students interested in pursuing the Ph.D. degree.
Requirements for the M.A. degree at Penn State Harrisburg differ somewhat
from the above and are outlined under the major programs in American Studies,
Humanities, Community Psychology and Social Change, and Applied Psychology.
These programs are available only at Penn State Harrisburg.
The Master of Agriculture is a professional degree with an industrial orientation. A student, according to
individual objectives, may obtain intensive training encompassing a wide spectrum
of subject matter area or intensive training in a specialized area. The program
emphasizes the development of professional skills in the communication of
technical knowledge and its application to the solution of current and future
technical, economic, and social problems of individuals and groups.
The head of the department or program chair appoints a three-member committee
to guide and monitor the candidate’s professional development. Members
of this committee must represent at least two departments. The chair of the
appointed committee serves as the candidate’s adviser. The candidate
will inform the committee of personal aspirations and background early in
the program. The committee will suggest to the student how best to achieve
these goals and the standard of professional competence required for the Master
of Agriculture degree.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, of which 18 credits must be
at the 500 level or above. A maximum of 10 credits
may be earned in special problem-type courses.
Students in the Master of Agriculture degree program can major in Agricultural
Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Forest Resources, Horticulture,
Plant Pathology, Rural Sociology, Soil Science, or Wildlife and Fisheries
Science.
The candidate must present an acceptable paper on a selected professional
problem or a report of internship training. Up to 3 graduate credits will
be given for an acceptable paper. The candidate may be required to provide
one or more copies of the paper for the University.
The candidate’s committee shall report, through the department head or program chair, to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services the title of the paper and that a draft of the work has been submitted by the published draft deadline for the semester. The department or program is responsible for ensuring that the work is finalized by the published deadline for the semester.
The Master of Architecture degree is a postprofessional degree intended for persons already holding an accredited Bachelor of Architecture degree. (Postprofessional architecture degrees are not eligible for NAAB accreditation.) The M.Arch. is a 30-credit program that requires 24 credits of course work and 6 credits of thesis or thesis project. At least 18 credits must be at the 500 or 600 levels, and at least 24 credits must be taken in residence at University Park. The core courses consist of a total of 12 credits. The capstone of the M.Arch. degree program is a master’s thesis or thesis (design) project, requiring the student to identify and formulate an area of inquiry within which to do original research and then to complete a project or a written thesis.
The professional Master of Applied Statistics degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits of which 24 must be courses from the Department of Statistics. Twenty-one credits must be at the 500 level. The program has been approved for both in residence at University Park campus and online via the World Campus.
Master of Business Administration degree programs are offered at the University Park campus, Penn State Great Valley, Penn State Harrisburg, and Penn State Erie.
University Park Campus—The purpose of the MBA program at the University
Park campus is to develop professional managerial knowledge and skills as
these are applied to decisions in complex organizations. The curriculum was
developed by the graduate business faculty to blend technical rigor, managerial
theory, and integrative learning experiences through case studies and other
teaching methods.
A minimum of 48 graduate credits is required, with a minimum of 42 credits
at the 500 level. Twenty-six credits must be in specific core courses. Also
required are 22 credits in portfolio and breadth electives. Work for this
degree may be started in the fall semester only. Applications for this AACSB-accredited
M.B.A program must include the results of the Graduate Management Admission
Test.
Penn State Harrisburg—The goals of the Harrisburg MBA program
are to provide graduates with a foundation for personal and professional growth
and lifelong learning; a firm grounding in the academic disciplines underlying
the field of business; participative strengths; and decision making, problem
solving, and critical thinking skills. Major emphasis is placed on the social,
legal, and ethical context of business—particularly ethical values needed
in the conduct of business. Program faculty place high value on teaching and
currency of curriculum, an emphasis on oral and written communication, collaborative
learning, and cross-functional integregration of concepts. The students served
by the MBA program are, primarily, employees of area business, government,
and not-for-profit organizations who reside within the Capital Region and
study on a part-time basis. However, either full- or part-time study is possible.
The M.B.A. is also offered as a concurrent MBA/Ph.D. program with the College
of Medicine at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Department
of Pharmacology, and concurrent MBA/J.D. degree program with The Dickinson
School of Law.
The M.B.A. requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits, and is offered at the
college’s Middletown campus and in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Eighteen
of these credits are in prescribed areas of business, including accounting,
finance, management, marketing, and information systems. An additional 12
credits are elective, permitting students to select courses in such areas
as e-business, human resource managements, financial analysis, or general
business to meet their personal and professional goals. Depending on their
level of preparation, some students may need to take additional course work
beyond the baccalaureate to permit them to begin their advanced business studies
with a common conceptual foundation and adequate understanding of the integrated
nature of the business enterprise. Applications to this AACSB-accredited program
must include results of the Graduate Management Admission Test and two letters
of recommendation. In addition, applicants whose first language is not English
or who have not received a prior degree from an institution in which the language
of instruction was English must provide scores on the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL).
Penn State Erie—The Penn State Erie M.B.A. is a general degree
emphasizing development of the planning and problem-solving skills crucial
in middle and upper management. Course work emphasizes the integration of
business functions and the practical application of theory in the business
world, using simulated problems and actual situations students are experiencing
at work. Many students are fully employed professionals who bring a wealth
of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Both full- and part-time study
is possible and the program can be completed by attending evening classes. The Master of Business Administration degree program consists of
three parts:
1) Foundation Core Courses (18 credits): The courses introduce students to
the ethical, legal, social, political, technological, and societal environment
of business, accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, operations
management, and the application of quantitative methods to the analysis of
business problems. The foundation core is required of all applicants who have
not completed an undergraduate degree in business or previous undergraduate
or graduate course work relevant to the foundation core requirements.
2) Advanced Required Courses (15 credits): These courses build on the knowledge
base established in the foundation core and provide greater depth of knowledge
in the subject areas included. This component of the MBA program consists
of five 3-credit courses that cover advanced topics in cost management, information
systems management, managing a diverse workforce, global operations and supply
chain management, and strategic management and business policy.
3) Elective Courses (15 credits): All students are required to take 15 credits
of elective courses covering advanced topics of their choice. Electives must
include at least 3 credits of community outreach-oriented and 3 credits of
internationally focused course work from the program-approved list of courses.
Penn State Great Valley—The M.B.A. at Great Valley’s School of Graduate Professional Studies is designed to meet the needs of the working professional desiring to advance her or his career. The M.B.A. requires 45 credits for degree completion. Courses are categorized into four groups: core, advanced, eleective, and capstone. Students may be exempt from up to 15 credits form teh core courses based on academic preparatioin and test scores. Students entering the program are expected to meet preprogram requirements that build a foundation for effective communication skills and quantitative analysis.
In addition to the general M.B.A. program, options are available in Biotechnology and Health Industry Management, and New Ventures and Entrepreneurial Studies. Classes are offered evenings and Saturdays in seven-week sessions, and the program may be completed in as little as 18 months. M.B.A. students are admitted year-round at the beginning of each of the seven-week sessions. Applications must includethe results of a Graduate Management Admissions Test. For more information, refer to the Web at www.gv.psu.edu.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for completion of the program, 18 credits of which must be from courses in the 500 level. Students are required to take 16 to 19 credits from core courses. Additional credits are from industry internship and elective courses which are determined based on the interest and career track the student decides to pursue: agriculture, medical applications, or diversified. All Master of Biotechnology candidates are required to write a research paper based on a research project conducted in an academic research laboratory or in industry. A student whose research project is conducted in an academic laboratory will be required to do an internship in industry.
Elective courses are chosen from offerings in various academic departments based on studentsí interest or track and career objectives.
The programs leading to the degree of Master of Education provide preparation
for increased professional competence in education. They should be distinguished
carefully from the research-oriented programs that lead to the academic degrees
of Master of Arts or Master of Science. In most major programs the requirements
for admission include 18 credits in education and related fields.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required for the degree, of which at
least 20 must be earned at the campus/center where the degree program is offered;
at least 24 must be in course work. This degree is also offered in certain
programs at Penn State Harrisburg and Penn State Great Valley.
Major Programs in the Fields of Education—A student can major
in one of the approved programs in professional education (see Directory of
Graduate Programs and Degrees Conferred, at the beginning of this bulletin)
and proceed under the guidance of a graduate faculty member of the appropriate
major. At least 18 credits at
the 500 level or above (with at least 6 credits in 500 level) must be included in the program. Most programs of this type require at least 6 credits to be
earned outside the major as providing valuable breadth for the candidate.
However, this policy differs among programs. Specific information about such
requirements is found under the individual program listings in this bulletin
or from the program’s coordinator. It is important for potential students
to obtain the degree requirements of the programs in which they are interested,
because many programs specify degree requirements in excess of 30 credits
and the manner in which credits are to be earned: required, elective, in or
out of the major.
Major Programs Outside the Fields of Education—A student who
wants to earn an M.Ed. in a specific subject-matter field, such as economics,
mathematics, German, or a broader area, can choose such a program as a major
and take a majority of work in it under the guidance of the department offering
that major. The candidate is required to earn 6 credits in education as directed
by the faculty of one of the approved graduate programs in professional education.
Culminating Experience—All M.Ed. programs require a significant
culminating or “capstone” experience. Each program has established
the specific manner for meeting the requirement, which may take the form of
a thesis, production, paper, exhibition, comprehensive examination or other
similar experience serving to demonstrate comprehensive and in-depth knowledge
of the field of study. The nature and extent of this work and when it is to
be undertaken within the program of study shall be determined by the major
program and reported to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services of the
Graduate School.
Thesis or Paper—The thesis or paper must be of considerable proportion
and must be clearly and definitively indicative of the capacity to describe
a serious intellectual investigation, study, critical analysis, or evaluation;
to acquire, integrate, and analyze information; to draw conclusions logically;
and to present the experience adequately and professionally in writing. The
requirements of the Graduate School regarding a thesis must be met. Programs
may impose other requirements regarding the master’s paper, including
submission of more than one copy for disposition at the program level.
Exhibition or Production—The capstone experience must be of comparable
rigor as that required for a thesis or master’s paper. While the format
of the experience will differ among programs, all such capstone experiences
must result in definitive evidence of satisfaction of the above noted qualities.
Some tangible written report is required, although the length and nature of
this report are to be left to the department or program.
Other Capstone Experience—If the program wishes to use some other mechanism to demonstrate culminating evidence of analytical ability and synthesis of material, it may do so upon approval by the Graduate Council. The program or department must report to Graduate Enrollment Services evidence that the student has met the approved requirement.
The Master of Engineering degree programs provide training for advanced professional competence in several fields of engineering. This professional master’s degree emphasizes practical application of knowledge for solving problems and should be should be distinguished carefully from the research-oriented programs that lead to the academic degree of Master of Science. A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, of which 20 must be earned at the campus/center where the degree program is offered. At least 18 credits must be earned in graduate courses (500 series).
Culminating Experience—All M.Eng. Programs require a significant culminating or “capstone” experience. Each program has established the specific manner for meeting the requirement, which may take the form of a paper, writing portfolio, or other similar experience serving to demonstrate comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the field of study. The nature and extent of this work and when it is to be undertaken within the program of study shall be determined by the major program and reported to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services of the Graduate School.
Work for this degree is not required to be done specifically at the University Park campus. A complete program of study can be pursued at Penn State Harrisburg or Penn State Great Valley.
The Master of Environmental Pollution Control (M.E.P.C.) is an intercollege
professional degree program designed to improve competence in various fields
of the control, management, and prevention of environmental pollution. The
degree should be distinguished from the research-oriented program that leads
to the academic degree of master of science, since the M.E.P.C. emphasizes
application, analysis, and synthesis of knowledge rather than creating new
information through traditional research.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, of which 20 must be earned
at the campus where the degree program is offered. Special requirements include
11–12 credits of core courses covering air pollution, water quality,
solid/hazardous waste management, and policy/risk assessment. At least 18 credits at the 500 level or above (with at least 6 credits in 500 level) must be included in the program, which includes 1 credit of E
P C 590 and up to 3 paper-writing (596) credits offered through the student’s
department of affiliation.
A scholarly master’s paper must be completed by all M.E.P.C. candidates. It must be of considerable proportion and must demonstrate the ability to formulate objectives, acquire and document relevant information, critically analyze, draw logical conclusions, and relate findings to professional problems and practices.
The programs leading to the Master of Fine Arts degree provide professional
training in art, creative writing, and theatre. The M.F.A. is one of two terminal
degrees in the arts. (The other is the research-oriented Ph.D.) The M.F.A.
is a 48- to 60-credit degree and usually requires two to three years to complete.
The greater number of credits in the major should be at the 500 level, but
the needs of the student will be considered in arranging the best combination
of courses and research for preparing the candidate in a particular field.
A professional creative project is required. This project will include a monograph (an artist’s statement for the M.F.A. in studio art) in support of the creative or interpretative aspect of the program. Continuance in the program is dependent upon the student’s academic and artistic progress as evaluated at the end of each semester.
Thirty (30) credits are required to complete the M.Fin. degree with a minimum of 18 credits at the 500-level and above. The course work in the Master of Finance (M.Fin.) program will have six required core courses (18 credit hours), three elective courses (9 credit hours), and a capstone course (3 credit hours). The required courses provide a quantitative and analytical foundation in finance. The capstone course, BUSAD 585 Research in Security Valuation, provides a culminating experience for students to develop their analytical ability to identify strategies that enhance value creation, building upon their knowledge acquired from the core courses.
The electives allow students to focus in a selected field of finance such as corporate financial management or investment management. The exact elective courses to be offered for a cohort will be determined by the professor-in-charge based on polls taken from each cohort class and on consultation with the faculty who are teaching elective courses.
The
Master of Forest Resources (M.F.R.) is a professional degree designed for
students who want to specialize in fields of wood products marketing or industries,
forest management, silviculture, urban forestry,watershed management, or wildlife
and fisheries management. This degree differs from the research-oriented Master
of Science degree programs in the School of Forest Resources, because the
M.F.R. emphasizes applications, analysis, and synthesis of knowledge rather
than creating new information through more traditional types of research.
This program is especially attractive to returning students interested in
gaining state-of-the-art information rather than thesis research in their
specialized field.
Students
who have baccalaureate degrees in forestry, wood products, or wildlife and
fisheries may complete the M.F.R. degree requirements in one year, whereas
those with degrees in related fields generally require longer because of deficiencies
in prerequisite undergraduate courses.
A
minimum of 30 graduate credits (400- to 500-level courses) is required, of
which 20 credits must be earned at an established graduate campus of the University,
with at least 18 credits as formal courses (excluding paper writing, colloquia,
and independent studies) related to forest resources, wood products, and wildlife
and fisheries. At least 18 credits at the 500 level or above (with at least 6 credits in 500 level) must be included in the program, including 6 credits
of formal courses. A paper (3 to 6 credits of FOR/W P/W F S 596) and formal
oral presentation (1 credit of FOR/W P/WFS 596) are required as part of the
30 credits that demonstrate ability to apply the knowledge gained during the
program to the specialized field of interest. The program must also include
3 credits of statistics at the graduate level.
The
Master of Geographic Information Systems (M.G.I.S.) degree program is for
adult professionals who aspire to leadership in the GIS profession but who
are able to study only part-time and at a distance.
MGIS
is a 35-credit program. Six to 9 credits are earned through an independent
project that culminates in a formal public presentation attended by the student’s
academic adviser. The independent project demonstrates students’ ability
to apply advanced knowledge and skills in a way that makes a substantial contribution
to their professional work.
Designed
in consultation with an advisory board of experienced professionals in industry,
government, and private practice, the MGIS curriculum nurtures not only technical
competence but also the articulacy, analytical skills, and professionalism
required for leadership in any organization.
Throughout the program students create and maintain personal e-portfolios that chronicle their achievements, outline long-term professional development strategies, and foster meaningful interactions among fellow students and faculty members.
Penn State’s Department of Health Policy and Administration helps students
prepare for positions in health care organizations, the nation’s
second-largest and fastest-growing industry. Master of Health Administration
(MHA) graduates become executives in hospitals, health systems, skilled nursing
facilities, insurance companies, consulting firms, home health agencies, federal
regulating agencies, medical group practices, health maintenance organizations,
public health agencies, mental health agencies, and clinics. The curriculum
emphasizes strategic thinking, management, communication, and a
broad understanding of the U.S. health care system. Areas of study include
health law, epidemiology management, payment mechanisms, ethics, managed
care, long-term care, health care technology, marketing, and strategic planning.
Satisfactory scores on either the Graduate Management Test (GMAT) or the
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are required for admission. In addition,
a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.00 or better, a relevant personal
statement, and two letters of recommendation are necessary. Some work experience
in health care is preferred, but not required.
The MHA program is designed to be completed in twenty-one months of full-time study, although it may be completed on a part-time basis. A minimum of 49 credits is required for completion of the degree. Students take 46 preselected Health Policy and Administration credits and 3 credits of electives selected in consultation with an adviser. Students are required to complete a ten-week residency in a health care practice setting. For full-time students, this is completed during the summer between the first and second years of academic study.
Penn State Harrisburg--Based on eight prescribed core courses defined as the foundation of administration in health care, the degree program is designed for part-time professional students already engaged in, or interested in, health administration careers. Three years of relevant experience is an admission requirement. If the applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0, GRE or GMAT scores are required.
The M.H.S. is designed to provide students with broad training in issues surrounding homeland security. The target audience may include federal, state, and local public health officials, public affairs administrators, emergency management professionals, health care professionals, first responders, criminal justice and law enforcement personnel, military staff, and members of corporate security.
The Master of Homeland Security requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, of which at least 18 must be in 500-level courses. Each candidate must complete a project report on a topic related to homeland security. The department head or program chair shall report, to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, the successful completion of the report and is responsible for ensuring that the work is finalized by the deadline for the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
The Master of International Affairs degree program requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits, including 18 credits of required core courses. M.I.A. degree candidates must take the six core courses described below plus an additional 12 credits or more of graduate level course work with a faculty-approved theme and content. Students will choose their elective courses, with faculty guidance, from a substantial list of graduate courses. In addition to the core curriculum and elective courses, degree candidates must complete either: (i) a master's paper or (ii) a supervised internship placement. If the first option is chosen and the candidate opts to complete a paper, he/she must enroll in 3 credits of INTAF 594. The master's paper will involve integrating and showing mastery of the subject matter of the student's curricular emphasis, and may also involve original research. If the second option is chosen, the candidate will enroll in 3 credits of INTAF 595. In order to graduate, students also will need to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.
The Master of Landscape Architecture program is structured as advanced scholarly
inquiry within the professional discipline. The intent is to provide specialized
expertise in a niche area of landscape architecture to individuals who already
have completed a practice-oriented professional program. Prospective students
must hold a degree from an accredited program (or foreign equivalent) in landscape
architecture or architecture.
Penn State’s MLA program offers particular opportunities for study in
four expertise areas: community and urban design, through affiliation with
the Hamer Center for Community Design Assistance; ecological issues with emphasis
on watershed stewardship, through affiliation with the Center for Watershed
Stewardship; design computing, through affiliation with the Stuckeman Center
for Design Computing; and landscape history, through affiliation with the
Historic Places Initiative.
Students may choose one of two curricular tracks in the MLA: a practicum-oriented
option in one of the four centers, or pursuit of a unique independent study
in conjunction with a center topic or faculty research. In both tracks, students
pursue individual inquiry intended to contribute to advancement of the profession:
a paper (or papers) in the option track, and in the independent track a major
project that forms the focus of the student’s curriculum.
A minimum of 44 credits is required, at least 34 credits at University Park campus: 19 credits are studio/research, 4 are in seminar, 21 are supporting electives. The majority of the course work must be at the 500 level.
The Master of Leadership Development is a 33-credit interdisciplinary professional
graduate program that blends the social and behavioral sciences with ethical
studies to develop outstanding organizational and community leaders. A series
of cornerstone, competency, and context courses are required to provide all
students with a common body of knowledge. All students must complete a capstone
course (LEAD 582 Social Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership) that provides
students with an opportunity to enact what is learned in the course work in
the context of promoting a positive change in the community.
Master of Manufacturing Management (M.M.M.) is a professional degree conferred
jointly by the College of Engineering and the Smeal College of Business, both
national leaders in education and research. The M.M.M. degree is administered
by the Quality and Manufacturing Management (QMM) program. The M.M.M. degree program
is an integrated nine-month academic program (32 credits) with an enrollment
limit of forty-five students, combining individuals with backgrounds in business,
engineering, science, and industry.
While a student may enter the M.M.M. degree program immediately after completing a
baccalaureate degree in engineering, business, or science, an internship with
a manufacturing company in the summer before entering the program is required
for students with no industrial experience. Upon starting the academic year
in the fall, students with an engineering or science background are required
to take an introductory core course in business principles, while those with
a business background must take an introductory core course in engineering
design principles. The introduction business or engineering course, together
with the ten remaining core courses are completed over a two-semester period.
All core courses have been specifically designed for this program, and most
integrate engineering and business concepts in the classroom.
All applicants from industry must submit scores from the Graduate Record
Examinations (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). In addition,
they must have a minimum of one year of relevant industry work experience
and a baccalaureate degree in physical science, engineering, business, or
management from an accredited university.
Applicants who are currently enrolled as undergraduates may apply for admission
to the program in their senior year. They should have a minimum cumulative
grade-point average of 3.0 at the time of application. Additionally, applicants
must submit either GRE or GMAT scores. All students whose native language
is not English must achieve a minimum score of 600 on the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL requirement is waived for international
students who have successfully completed undergraduate or graduate work in
a U.S. or Canadian college or university.
All students entering the program must be competent in mathematics, statistics, and computer programming.
The program leading to the Master of Music degree provides training for increased
professional competence in performance, pedagogy, conducting, composition.
It should be distinguished carefully from the research-oriented program that
leads to the academic degree of Master of Arts.
Admission requirements include an audition for performance and conducting
applicants and submission of a composition portfolio for composition applicants.
A minimum of 36 credits is required, of which 30 must be earned at the University
Park campus. At least one-half of the required credits must be at the 500
level.
Depending on the major option, a professional project in performance, conducting, or composition is required. A master’s paper and a comprehensive examination also are required in certain areas.
The Master of Music Education degree provides opportunity for advanced study
in the art of music, pedagogy, and systematic problem solving.
A minimum of 30 credits is required, of which 20 must be earned at the University
Park campus. At least 18 credits at the 500 level or above (with at least 6 credits in 500 level) must be included in the program.
Admission requires 12–15 credits in music education methods at the undergraduate level, successful teaching or student teaching experience, and a video taped demonstration of teaching and musical competence. Also required are a master’s paper and a comprehensive examination.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is intended for those with
career interests in public management, health and human services, government,
and other public service and nonprofit organizations. The MPA program is accredited
by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
The M.P.A. degree is offered at Penn State Harrisburg.
The M.P.A. degree requires 36 graduate credits—18 in prescribed core courses, 15 in electives, and 3 for a professional master’s project. In addition, a 9-credit internship is required of students who do not have at least three years of full-time, relevant work experience, which consists of supervisory, managerial, or professional work. The internship is waived for students with this experience before they enter the program or who gain it during the program.
The Master of Project Management is a 30-credit graduate program that emphasizes all aspects of project management theory and practice. The M.P.M. is interdisciplinary and utilizes problem-based learning as well as a combination of face-to-face and Web-based instructional methods to transcend time and space, and to support effective teaching and learning. The M.P.M. curriculum requires the completion of eight courses (24 credits) in which students are required to apply course concepts to project management situations in their employing organizations. In addition, an applied research project (6 credits) focusing on some aspect of project management is required.
M.P.S. -- ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The Master of Professional Studies is a professional degree. Programs leading to the M.P.S. degree provide opportunities for students to increase their knowledge and competencies in specific careers (as practitioners). The M.P.S. is often considered the “terminal” degree in the field and students entering often need not have undergraduate training in the field, as the curriculum provides foundation material assuming a diversity of backgrounds.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, of which at least 18 credits must be at the 500-level and above, with a minimum of 6 credits of 500-level course work. A significant culminating or “capstone” experience or other mechanism to demonstrate evidence of analytical ability and synthesis of material is required. These may typically include, but are not limited to, a paper, an internship, an exhibition, a production, a comprehensive examination, or a capstone course. The specific form of the culminating experience is determined by the major program.
The department head or program chair shall report to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services the nature of the culminating experience and is responsible for ensuring that the work is finalized by the deadline for the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
The Master of Software Engineering degree is a professional degree that focuses
on exploring and examining software engineering practices and solutions that
address emerging industry issues, such as e-commerce and enterprise integration.
The program is designed to meet the educational needs of technical professionals
who want to build upon their software engineering knowledge.
Applicants for admission should hold an undergraduate degree in an appropriate
technical field. Applicants not holding a technical degree should present
a minimum of three years’ work experience in the software profession.
All applicants must have proficiency in a high-level language and in the principles
of computer architecture, or complete prerequisite courses upon admission
to the program.
The degree program requires completion of 36 credits of graduate course work,
including a 3-credit advanced studio leading to the development of an actual
software product, participation in a research institute, or a 3-credit professional paper.
For maximum career flexibility, students may broaden their study by selecting approved courses from allied fields, such as artificial intelligence, computer science and engineering, and management information systems.
For information, see www.ed.psu.edu/certification.
Postbaccalaureate candidates who want to pursue course work simply for their professional development and/or a permanent Level II certificate should apply to the Graduate School as special nondegree graduate students.