Applying for graduate admission is a two-step process. Applications must be submitted to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School and the program. When the Fox Graduate School receives your degree application, your information will be made available to the program to which you are applying. The program reviews your program application and supporting documents and makes a recommendation to the Fox Graduate School. Upon receiving the nonrefundable application fee and a recommendation from the program, the Fox Graduate School reviews your file to verify that the minimum admission requirements have been met. The Fox Graduate School does not act on your application without a recommendation from the program. Questions regarding the completeness or status of your application should be directed to the program.

Applications for Sociology and Criminology are accepted until the deadline for admission the following fall semester. To apply to our graduate program, you will need:

• Official transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Writing sample
• Official Graduate Record of Examination (GRE) scores
• Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – for international applicants only

Please do not submit information with your application that cannot be used in the admission decision process. Examples include Individual Education Plans (IEPs), medical records, statements from physicians or psychologists, or legal documents. Such information will be returned.

If you have read the Fox Graduate School requirements and are ready to apply, you may proceed to the application.

• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters are required for admission. Your references will be contacted electronically to complete a recommendation for you.  
• Personal Statement: While there is no word limit, typical personal statements are less than two single-spaced pages. It is key to share research interests, highlight research experience, and demonstrate why Penn State is a good fit for you.
• Writing Sample: You should upload at least one writing sample in the online application portal. A term paper or thesis are examples of written work. Due to the nature of these assignments, writing samples vary in length. 
• Transcripts: 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 Fox 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 Fox 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 Fox 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 Fox Graduate School, in order for the offer of admission to be finalized.
• Official GRE Scores:  Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required from all applicants. Scores should be sent electronically from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School. Please use institution code 2660 for submission. 
• Official TOEFL/IELTS (International Applicants Only) Scores: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are required from international applicants only, as the language of instruction at Penn State is English. Scores should be sent electronically from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School. Please use institution code 2660 for submission. 
• Dual-Title Degree in Demography or Social Data Analytics: If you wish to apply to the dual-title degree program in 1) Sociology and Demography, 2) Sociology and Social Data Analytics, or 3) Criminology, and Social Data Analytics please complete the questions on our Fox Graduate School application pertaining to the Dual-Title Degree Demography Program of your choice.