Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Biotechnology graduate program at Penn State, prospective students must have:

  • An appropriate academic background, including a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years (junior/senior) of a bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university. Research experience is desirable.

  • Proficiency in the English language. With some exceptions (noted below), international candidates are required to take the TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and submit the results of the test with application for admission.

    • Institution code: 2660

    • Department code: 30

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

  • GRE scores are not required. Self-reporting or sending official GRE scores is done at the applicant's discretion and will not positively or negatively impact chance of acceptance.