How do I get started?

It is very important that you follow the steps in this order.

Do you meet the following requirements?

• BS Degree in Engineering or a related science from an ABET Accredited Institution
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Recent GRE scores (5 years or newer)

There are two ways to start the program.

Non-Degree Student – you can take up to 12 credits as a non-degree student.  Taking graduate courses in Nuclear Engineering does NOT guarantee you admission to the program as a degree seeking candidate.  Follow the steps to APPLY as a non-degree candidate.  (Note:  Additional credits will not be counted toward a graduate degree at Penn State.)

OR

Degree Student – you can enter the program as a degree seeking student.  Follow the steps to APPLY as a degree candidate.  Use the same process for admission for a Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree.  Remember, you will need:

• two official copies of your undergraduate transcript,
• three letters of reference,
• statement of purpose,
• résumé
• GRE scores.

1. Create a “Friends of Penn State” (FPS) computer account. There is no charge for this but you will need this account to apply to the graduate school and to register for a course.

When you go to the link below, click on “Create an Account.” After you have completed the information (make sure you write down your password!) and hit submit, you will instantly receive an ID.

You will need this ID to complete Step 2.

>> Friends of Penn State

2. Next, you must notify the Office of Continuing & Distance Education in the College of Engineering of your FPS ID and the date that you plan to submit your part time non-degree graduate application. To do this please complete the form below:

>> Student Pre-Registration Form

This fill-in-the-blank form can be submitted online as an email attachment or printed, then faxed or mailed.

3. Next, complete an Application for Admissions to the Graduate School.

You must do this before you register for a course or you will NOT receive graduate credit. There are fees and specific instructions you must follow when completing your application. It is a lengthy process and will take at least 15 minutes to complete. After you go to the site below, carefully read all the directions.

>> The Graduate School Application Instructions

You will be permitted to take up to 12 credits as a part time non-degree graduate student. When you reach 15 credits, you will be asked to reapply as a degree seeking graduate student if you meet the program requirements.

Go to the Graduate School Application Web page linked below.

>> The Graduate School Admissions Portal

• Use your FPS ID and Password to enter this site.
• You can also get to this online application from a link within the instructions.

Choose which level you wish to apply to at this time.

Degree Admission
Select: A Master’s or Doctoral Degree

or

Nondegree Admission
Select: A Post baccalaureate or Graduate Certificate

It is important that you correctly fill out the Campus / Major / Degree / Semester Information page.
(see sample below)

Click on image for larger view.

4. Go to the Course Schedule and click on the course you wish to take.

This will give you the course registration form, textbook information, and a Penn State Computer Access Account (CAC) application. You are required to apply for a full student computer account when you register for a course. Your FPS account will not allow you to access all Penn State information.

Mail, fax or send both the registration form and the CAC form to:

Deb Zimmerman
Penn State University
Room 301-A Engr Unit C
University Park, PA 16802

fax (814) 865-3969
email dlz1@psu.edu

5. Order your textbook from the vendor of your choice. Textbook information is on the course site.