Penn State University - College of Arts and Architecture

The Penn State College of Arts and Architecture offers a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment for graduate study in the visual and performing arts, design, and architecture. Comprising nationally accredited and ranked programs and internationally recognized faculty, the college provides over 15 graduate degrees across its departments and schools, preparing students for advanced scholarly, creative, and professional careers.

Graduate programs are housed in five primary academic units: the Stuckeman School (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Graphic Design), the School of Visual Arts, the School of Music, the School of Theatre, and the Department of Art History. These programs emphasize both disciplinary depth and cross-disciplinary engagement, fostering critical thinking, impactful scholarship, innovation, and creative practice. Many offer M.A., M.F.A., or Ph.D. options, as well as graduate certificates tailored to emerging fields and professional development.

Students benefit from robust resources, including the Palmer Museum of Art, the Center for the Performing Arts, and research centers that support interdisciplinary collaboration and community-engaged scholarship. Faculty mentorship, performance and exhibition opportunities, and access to world-class facilities enhance the graduate experience. The college’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and global engagement is reflected in its multicultural initiatives and international programs.

Graduate students are encouraged to participate in fieldwork, social practice art, and community-based research, contributing to a culturally rich and socially engaged academic community. Under the leadership of Dean B. Stephen Carpenter II, the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State is a leading destination for graduate education that integrates artistic excellence, critical inquiry, and real-world impact.

To apply to a degree program, you will select your intended program and campus on the application form, and you will need to submit all required materials that are listed on your intended program's website. Applicants may apply to only one graduate degree program and campus at a time. If you submit more than one degree application, only your most recently submitted application will be reviewed.

Minimum Academic Eligibility Requirements

All applicants to a Penn State graduate program must hold a degree from a degree-granting institution that is officially recognized in the country in which it operates. See below to search by country for accepted documents from institutions in that country. The degree must be one of the following types:

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
• The tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.

Program Admission Requirements

Check your intended graduate program’s website for specific requirements. These may be higher or more stringent than the general Penn State graduate program requirements.

Transcript Requirements

When applying for any graduate program, you will need to upload a scanned copy of official transcripts from institutions you attended previously. Note that there is a difference between “official” and “unofficial” transcripts, and only some documents will be accepted in the application process.

Applicants will be required to upload copies of official transcripts or documents from all post-secondary institutions attended, whether the degree was completed or not.

English Proficiency

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test, with some exceptions. If you do not meet these minimum requirements, you may be granted provisional admission until you complete certain requirements.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: overall score of at least 80 with a minimum speaking score of 19
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test: minimum overall band score of 6.5

• Top 6% World-class university. (Center for World University Rankings, 2025)

Performances, Collections & Exhibitions

The College of Arts and Architecture is home to a stunning variety of performances, exhibitions, and educational outreach programs. A&A is home to the Palmer Museum's significant collections. Our galleries and performance venues are abuzz with exhibitions and productions. From lectures by global thought leaders, to Broadway-caliber performances, to art and technology workshops, symposia, musical recitals, and so much more, the college fosters a vibrant and inclusive culture of inquiry and excellence within the arts and design disciplines. We encourage you to explore our spaces, and we invite you to our upcoming events.

Palmer Museum of Art

With a collection of 9,600 objects representing a variety of cultures and spanning centuries of art, the Palmer is the largest art museum between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Center for the Performing Arts

CPA provides a context, through artistic connections, to the human experience. By bringing artists and audiences together, we spark the discovery of passion, inspiration, and inner truths.

Penn State Centre Stage

The School of Theatre houses Penn State Centre Stage (PSCS), the professional theatre training program in Central Pennsylvania. PSCS presents theatrical masterpieces and new gems by emerging masters.

Penn's Woods Music Festival

Penn’s Woods Music Festival (PWMF) offers outstanding chamber music and orchestral performances by professional musicians. Supported jointly by Penn State and the surrounding community, the festival seeks to inspire a passion for classical music through innovative concert programming, educational activities, and informal events.

School of Music

The School of Music hosts nearly 500 open-to-the-public performances each year. From student recitals to faculty performances and thematic recital series, the array is endless, and you are invited to attend!