Pennsylvania State University – University Park – Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering

I.       Program description

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers three graduate programs: Master of Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering; Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering; and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering. The admission requirements are identical for each program. This directory, which contains all the information found in the graduate handbook, duplicates some information found elsewhere on the site. Our computer engineering program is ranked 16th in the nation.

Admission requirement

Students with a minimum 3.0 junior/senior grade point average and appropriate course backgrounds will be considered for admission. All applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely aligned field. Students who do not hold an undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering are expected to make up their deficiencies within the first year of study.

English Proficiency

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL or the IELTS, with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Specific graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia , Belize , British Caribbean and British West Indies , Canada (except Quebec ), England , Guyana , Republic of Ireland , Liberia , New Zealand , Northern Ireland , Scotland , the United States and Wales .

Specific graduate programs may require all international applicants to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score, regardless of their academic background and country of origin.

Those students seeking an assistantship in Computer Science and Engineering ARE REQUIRED to submit an American English Oral Communicative Proficiency Test (AEOCPT) or the TOEFL iBT. A score of 26 on the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT is equivalent to passing the AEOCPT. A lower score would require remedial English as a Second Language courses.

All applicants must provide a one page statement of purpose and scores from the general aptitude test of the GRE. A subject test in the GRE is not required but the subject test in Computer Science is recommended.

It is expected (but not required) that candidates seeking admission have undergraduate degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely aligned field. In general, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher (out of 4.0) in courses in the major is expected of candidates.

Background Courses

All students are expected to have completed appropriate courses in computer architecture and machine organization, data structures and analysis of algorithms, programming languages, operating systems, and logical design/switching theory or theory of automata. Students who do not meet background requirements will be required to take appropriate 400-level courses to prepare them for 500-level courses. At most, three credits of background course work can be used to satisfy graduate degree requirements.

Process & Mailing Address

A.     To the Graduate School :

1.      Click Here To Apply Online

2.      A non-refundable application fee of $65

B.     To the Department:

The only materials required to be sent to the department are two official transcripts and visa documentation (if required). All other required application material should be electronically submitted via the Graduate School electronic application system.

1.      Supplemental Graduate Application Form

2.      GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing). Subject scores, if available. The school code is 2660; the departmental code is 0402 for GRE scores.

3.      Three Letters of Recommendation (UPLOAD TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ELECTRONIC APPLICATION).

4.      Official TOEFL or IELTS Score Report. The school code is 2660; the departmental code is 78 for TOEFL scores.

5.      Two official transcripts from each institution attended
International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English.

6.      Statement of purpose and goals/autobiography. A resume is also recommended. (UPLOAD TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ELECTRONIC APPLICATION)

II.    SOP/ESSAY/WRITING SAMPLE

Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)

No special requirement

Resume or CV (max 2 pages)

No special requirement

Additional Information (optional)

If you have any additional information that you wish to include with your application, enter it in the space provided below. You may copy and paste text from other documents.

(Guideline from the Online Application Form)

III. Additional note for Int’l Applicant

International Transcript

Your international records will be considered complete and official if:

l  each document is an original or a copy that is originally certified by the issuing institution;

l  it is a comprehensive record of all study completed, in the form of a transcript or yearly mark sheets;

l  it includes all degree certificates conferred;

l  each document is submitted with an officially certified English translation.

(Guidelines from Online Application FAQ)

English Proficiency

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL or the IELTS, with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisional admission, which requires an institutional test of English proficiency upon first enrollment and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Graduate programs may have more stringent requirements.

International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a master's degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia , Belize , British Caribbean and British West Indies , Canada (except Quebec ), England , Guyana , Republic of Ireland , Liberia , New Zealand , Northern Ireland , Scotland , the United States , and Wales .

http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html

Financial Guarantee Requirements

You must provide a financial guarantee for the first year and provide information on how your educational expenses will be supported in all succeeding years at Penn State . You cannot receive the I-20 or DS-2019 required for the issuance of a visa without this information. Missing information will delay the process. You may use proof of personal funds, family funds (this proof must be accompanied by an affidavit of support which states the amount of financial support provided and the period of time the support will be provided. ), sponsorship from an agency (this proof must include official notification of your award), or financial support from Penn State (note: this is limited) or a combination of these as proof of financial support.

http://www.international.psu.edu/iss/financial_requirements_g.html

Affidavit of Support

If you are not using your own funds to support your educational expenses, we require notification from your financial sponsor(s) of the amount of money available to you each year and the length of time of the support.

l    Financial Sponsors Who are Not U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents
We request a notarized letter and proof of funds from that individual.

IV.  Financial Sponsors Who are U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents
The I-134 Affidavit of Support is used by financial sponsors living in the United States who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.