Your Graduate Program

As a Penn State graduate student, you are a member of one of 300+ graduate degree programs that span over 200 fields of study. Your graduate program will be your home at Penn State. Here are some key tips for getting started in your graduate program.

Connect

Talk to your graduate program leaders and staff and get to know them. They are the people who can answer your questions about the ins and outs of your program of study.

Get Informed

Read your graduate program handbook (yes really!). It contains all the policies and requirements that will guide your academic experience.

Stay Informed

Most graduate programs have speaker series, colloquia, and other research events. Plan to attend them, even if they are not required. This is one of the best ways to get to know your field of study beyond your individual research project. 

Be Active

Go to any social events sponsored by your graduate program. You can meet other graduate students and graduate faculty to build your academic and social networks.

Share your Thoughts

If your program has a graduate student association (GSA), join it! GSAs are a great way to learn how the graduate program function and to have your voice heard as a graduate student.

 

Getting a Feel for Your Program (0:44 seconds)

 

Learn From and With Your Cohort (0:35 seconds)