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    The Pennsylvania State University

    Rural Sociology (M.S.)

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    University Park, USMSIn-person2 years
    $86,580.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    36
    Credits
    $65.00
    App fee

    Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University is a 36-credit, 2-year, in-person MS program based in University Park, US. Tuition is $86,580.

    About the program

    The program provides training in rural sociology, research methods, statistics, and substantive areas such as community and international development, demography, agriculture and food systems, or environment and natural resources. It requires a research thesis and emphasizes scientific methods and analysis techniques.

    Focus: research

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Dec 15, 2026
    Fall 2028
    Dec 15, 2027

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min Optional: Official report of GRE general test scores (verbal, quantitative, analytical). If submitted, GRE scores will be considered as part of a holistic evaluation process. Applications that do not include GRE scores will be given equal consideration. GRE scores are not required for admission.
    TOEFL
    required
    Min An official report of results of the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not your native language. Please see the English Proficiency section Graduate School requirements page for more information. [Graduate School minimum: TOEFL iBT total score of at least 4.5 with 3.5+ speaking (post-1/21/2026); or 80 total with 19+ speaking (pre-1/21/2026). Programs may require higher.]
    IELTS
    required
    Min [Follows Graduate School minimum: IELTS Academic composite 6.5. Programs may require higher. Not explicitly stated on program page.]

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US)

    $20,700.00
    Annual living cost

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    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University is $86,580 across 36 required credits.
    Is Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University online or in-person?
    Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University is offered in-person.
    How long does Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University take to complete?
    Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University is structured around 2 years and 36 credits.
    What GPA is required for Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University?
    Per the program's published guidance: 3.00 junior/senior average (on a 4.00 scale)
    What work-permit options follow Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University?
    Post-completion work rights for Rural Sociology (M.S.) at The Pennsylvania State University: 12 months OPT (US)