Master of Science in Meteorology

The Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State is one of the oldest and largest in the country. It offers individually tailored graduate programs of academic study leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Together with a rich tradition of excellence in teaching and advising, the faculty has both a strong commitment to fundamental research and an active role in national and international scientific administration. Our researchers are world leaders in myriad areas, from weather risk analysis to remote sensing to cloud physics to tropical meteorology and more. With a focus on collaboration within the department, within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and across Penn State faculty in the department aim to provide graduate students with broad knowledge and research tools to understand and solve contemporary problems in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences.

The academic graduate major in meteorology and atmospheric science is open to all students with a baccalaureate degree and a strong interest in the atmospheric sciences. A degree in meteorology, science, math, or engineering provides a particularly good background, although we have had some students with liberal arts degrees (such as Arts History) who have done very well in our program.
As part of the online application process, you are required to upload electronically copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (or equivalent documents for institutions outside the U.S., e.g. degree/study certificates, diplomas, etc.) in the language of instruction, as well as copies of an official English translation, if English is not the language of instruction. (If you are offered admission, Penn State's Graduate School will request official transcripts by postal mail. Note: Offers of admission will be revoked if original, official documents to not arrive by specified deadlines, or if official documents do not match electronic copies provided prior to the offer of admission.
Provide official GRE and TOEFL scores to Penn State. You do not need to send a copy by mail if official scores are reported electronically in this manner.
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination Aptitude Test (GRE) can often be provided electronically to Penn State by the administering agency. For the present exam, a verbal and quantitative combined score of 310 or greater is typical for those admitted.
TOEFLor IELTS scores, can also be submitted electronically to Penn State by the administering agency. All international applicants whose first language is not English or who have not received baccalaureate or master's degrees from an institution in which the language of instruction is English, must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) examination. A TOEFL score of 550 on the paper test is required for admission. If you take the iBT (internet-based TOEFL test), the minimums are 80 (total score) and 19 (speaking). The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Revised TOEFL PBT July 2017 and later 60
For admission to graduate study in meteorology and atmospheric science, the departmental admission committee considers courses taken, grade point average, supporting letters, Graduate Record Exam (GRE), professional experience, and English proficiency. Rather than setting rigid standards in each category, the committee examines the overall record as a whole.

Courses. Additional mathematics and physics above the minimum requirements listed above, and courses in statistics, chemistry, and computer programming are a plus. Courses in meteorology are not required for admission.
Grades. Most students admitted into our graduate program have GPA's of 3.5 or higher. Particularly good grades in the sciences are desirable.
Supporting letters: (after entering contact emails for your letter writers within the electronic application, an automatic email will be generated to them asking them to upload their letters. The email will not be sent until your application has been submitted.)
(1) Three recommendations are solicited from persons familiar with your academic competence. (We do not use a form for these letters.)
(2) A personal statement from you summarizing your interests and goals. These letters play a very significant part in the admission process.
GRE. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. You should take the General Test. A verbal and quantitative combined score of 310 or greater is typical for our students.