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Department ofGermanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures

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How To Apply

How To Apply

Apply online

Admission is granted jointly by the Graduate School and the Department of Germanic and Slavic program. All applications are processed online through the Graduate School. Application fee information is available at https://gradschool.psu.edu/admissions/prepare-to-apply#Fees-200168. If you anticipate having difficulties in paying this fee, you are encouraged to contact us for a waiver. You may complete your application at: https://gradschool.psu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply. Applications for Fall 2025 admission are due on January 2nd 2025. To apply, please complete the online application and submit the materials requested below:

  1. A statement of purpose uploaded in your online application
  2. A sample of scholarly writing uploaded in your online application.
  3. Three letters of reference submitted online by your recommenders. Enter the requested information about your recommenders in the online application. Each recommender will then be contacted by Penn State with instructions for uploading a letter of reference.
  4. Official test scores: TOEFL scores if you do not have a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English. Request that official TOEFL scores be submitted to Penn State (Penn State’s school code is 2660).
  5. Official transcripts uploaded in your online application. Application deadline: Though we admit students on a rolling basis, for full funding consideration applications should be complete by January 2. Those who apply early have the best opportunity for support.
  • Secure Online Application / Graduate Application Status Inquiry
  • Application for Visa Document

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor degree or its equivalent
  • 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA and a minimum GPA of 3.3 in German, or their equivalents
  • Proficiency in English and German
  • TOEFL is required for non-native speakers of English

For more detailed information about stipends and financial assistance for domestic and international students, click here.

If you have any questions, please contact our Graduate Officer.

As part of the online application process, applicants are required to electronically upload copies of transcripts (or equivalent documents for institutions outside the U.S., e.g., degree/study certificates, diplomas, etc.) from all post-secondary institutions attended, in the language of instruction (and copies of an official English translation if English is not the language of instruction). Applicants recommended for admission who accept an offer through the online graduate admission system will be notified by the Graduate School that official/original transcripts/documents must be sent from the originating institutions in the official language of the institution(s) attended (and if the language of instruction is not English, an official English translation must also be sent). The Graduate School will review all official documents to finalize the offer of admission. An offer of admission will be revoked if official/original documents are not received by the Graduate School within specified deadlines, or if official/original documents differ from the copies uploaded by the applicant prior to the offer of admission. For applicants whose degree conferral is in progress at the time of uploading copies, the deadline specified for receipt of official/original documents will allow for the passage of the reported date of degree conferral, and that conferral must be confirmed on the official/original documents received by the Graduate School, in order for the offer of admission to be finalized.