The minimum admissions requirements established by Penn State University's Graduate School and the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management Admission Requirements
Minimum admission requirements for the Wildlife and Fisheries Science master's program include an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.75 and junior-senior average of 3.0, based on a 4.0 scale. Due to the diversity of programs in the department, professional preparation may vary considerably. In general, the following subject matter areas are required (with the number of course credits noted in parentheses) for admission to the Wildlife and Fisheries Science graduate program:
- Chemistry and/or physics (8)
- Calculus, statistics, computer science (12)
- Biology, botany, zoology (8)
- Writing and speaking (12)
- Economics, social sciences, humanities (12)
- Forest science, wildlife and fisheries science, wood products (18)
Recipients of baccalaureate degrees from forest science, wildlife and fisheries science, wood products programs and other typical science programs normally will fulfill the course subject area requirements. Students with undergraduate degrees not in these disciplines are invited to apply but may be admitted on a "provisional" status pending make-up of deficiencies. The faculty member who agrees to serve as adviser of a provisional student will stipulate conditions to be met for transfer from provisional status to a graduate degree program. Final decision on course deficiencies rests with the student's graduate committee.
Evaluation of the Applicant
Faculty evaluate:
- Bachelor's degree obtained
- Previous course work
- Academic performance (grade point average)
- TOEFL scores (international students)
- Course deficiencies
- Personal vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of applicant's academic goals and career interests
Recommendation for acceptance or rejection of an applicant is made to the Graduate School by the Department's Graduate Program Coordinator in consultation with the reviewing faculty members. A favorable (majority) vote and a willing adviser are required for acceptance.
The best-qualified applicants are accepted within the limits of available openings in the department's graduate program. Exceptions to the admission criteria may be granted for applicants with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests. However, deficiencies must be fulfilled early in the program. Applicants with a large number of deficiencies may be advised to enroll in a second bachelor's program.
Admission to the Ph.D. program requires evidence of research ability, e.g., a master's degree thesis, paper, or equivalent publication and a grade point average of 3.3 or higher in a graduate degree program, exclusive of thesis and special problems. Baccalaureate degree students graduating from an honors program with a required thesis, or who have authored a refereed publication, may be considered for admittance without a master's degree.
The Graduate Program Coordinator of graduate studies and the electronic process will supply all necessary application materials and relevant information.
We highly recommend that all applications be submitted before January 1st for summer or fall program admissions, and before August 1st for spring admission. Assistantship decisions are typically finalized in early February and September, so submitting your application early increases your chances of receiving special support funds.
Graduate School Admission Requirements
For information regarding the admissions policies of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, please consult the provided links below.
J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School Qualifications for Admissions
J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School Admission Requirements for International Students
