Complete your M.S. degree at one of the world's top universities in one calendar year.
The non-thesis track is designed to be completed in three semesters, or one calendar year (fall, spring, and summer). Students in this program will be required to begin in the fall semester and be registered continuously until the culminating research experience is completed at the end of the summer. A research adviser will be assigned to students in their first semester.
Degree Requirements
Students in the non-thesis option must write a satisfactory scholarly paper while enrolled in MATSE 596 Individual Studies. A total of 6 credits of MATSE 596 will be taken, 1 credit each in the fall and spring, and 4 credits in the summer. It is expected that the scholarly paper will be submitted and approved at the end of the summer semester. Students who need more time to complete the final paper will be allowed to complete the paper, and have it reviewed and approved after the third semester has ended. Students are not required to remain in residence while they complete the final paper. However, extensions granted to students in this program must comply with the Graduate Council policy on deferred grades. Finally, at least 21 of the 30 credits for the accelerated degree option must be formal coursework, not counting credits for research, professional development, or colloquium. Minimum total credits: 30 credits
- Minimum research credits: 6 credits
- Minimum formal course credits: 21 credits
- Minimum 500-level credits: 12 credits
- Core graduate course credits: 9 credits
- Seminar: 2 credits/year
- Scholarship and research integrity credits: Online training and 1 credit of MatSE 582 (Materials Science and Engineering Professional Development)
- Minimum GPA for graduation: 3.00
- Thesis requirement: A scholarly paper must be completed
Admissions
To apply for admission to the Accelerated M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering (MatSE), please submit letters of reference, your resume, supplemental material (e.g. research papers) via the graduate application website: Graduate School Online Application (Penn State no longer accepts mailed paper applications).
International students should review the procedures for obtaining a visa.
Please refer to the University Graduate School's How To Apply page for application procedures and fees.
GRE and TOEFL/IELTS Scores
GRE and either TOEFL or IELTS scores need to be sent to Penn State University electronically. Select "Penn State University" as the destination for test scores. The following code should be used when applying: Institution Code: 2660
Transcript Information
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).
