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If you have questions along the way, please email us at online-admissions@seas.upenn.edu
Application Requirements by Program
It's never too early to start preparing your application. Application requirements vary based on the program. Select your program of interest below to find out exactly what is needed.
- Online Degrees
- MAS-CS Online
- MSE-DS Online
- MSE-AI Online
- MSE-SSC Online
- MCIT Online
- Dual Degrees
- MCIT & MSE-DS Online
- MCIT & MSE-AI Online
- MCIT & MSE-SSC Online
- Lifelong Learning
- Online Graduate Certificates
- Take a Course
- On-Demand Learning
Master of Computer and Information Technology
The MCIT Online program is for individuals without a background in computer science who want to build their foundational skill set. You will need:
Application Checklist
- Employment history and resume
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Contact information for two recommenders Penn will reach out to your references and provide a link for them to upload their letter of recommendation for you.
- Personal statement A 1,000 – 1,500 word essay describing your interest in the program, your future goals, and why you are a good fit for the program.
- $90 application fee
- English Proficiency Exam (only needed for non-native speakers)
- Optional: GRE or GMAT scores
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensDecember 15, 2025
- Early Admission DeadlineMarch 2, 2026
- Regular Admission DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MCIT ApplicationMaster of Applied Science in Computer Science
The MAS-CS Online program is for individuals without a background in computer science who want to build their foundational skill set, with options to choose a specialized concentration. You will need:
Application Checklist
- Employment history and resume
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Contact information for two recommenders Penn will reach out to your references and provide a link for them to upload their letter of recommendation for you.
- Personal statement A 1,000 – 1,500 word essay describing your interest in the program, your future goals, and why you are a good fit for the program.
- $90 application fee
- English Proficiency Exam (only needed for non-native speakers)
- Optional: GRE or GMAT scores
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensDecember 15, 2025
- Early Admission DeadlineMarch 2, 2026
- Regular Admission DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MAS-CS ApplicationMaster of Science in Engineering in Data Science
The MSE-DS Online program is for individuals with some computer science background and passion for data engineering. You will need:
Application Checklist
- Employment history and resume
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Contact information for two recommenders Penn will reach out to your references and provide a link for them to upload their letter of recommendation for you.
- Personal statement A 1,000 – 1,500 word essay describing your interest in the program, your future goals, and why you are a good fit for the program.
- $90 application fee
- English Proficiency Exam (only needed for non-native speakers)
- Optional: GRE or GMAT scores
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensDecember 15, 2025
- Early Admission DeadlineMarch 2, 2026
- Regular Admission DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
Master of Science in Engineering in Artificial Intelligence
The MSE-AI Online program is for individuals with an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or a related field. You will need:
Application Checklist
- Employment history and resume
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Contact information for two recommenders Penn will reach out to your references and provide a link for them to upload their letter of recommendation for you.
- Personal statement A 1,000 – 1,500 word essay describing your interest in the program, your future goals, and why you are a good fit for the program.
- $90 application fee
- English Proficiency Exam (only needed for non-native speakers)
- Optional: GRE or GMAT scores
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensDecember 15, 2025
- Early Admission DeadlineMarch 2, 2026
- Regular Admission DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MSE-AI ApplicationMaster of Science in Engineering in Software Systems and Cybersecurity
The MSE-SSC Online program is for individuals with an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or a related field. You will need:
Application Checklist
- Employment history and resume
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Contact information for two recommenders Penn will reach out to your references and provide a link for them to upload their letter of recommendation for you.
- Personal statement A 1,000 – 1,500 word essay describing your interest in the program, your future goals, and why you are a good fit for the program.
- $90 application fee
- English Proficiency Exam (only needed for non-native speakers)
- Optional: GRE or GMAT scores
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensDecember 15, 2025
- Early Admission DeadlineMarch 2, 2026
- Regular Admission DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MSE-SSC ApplicationMSE-DS Online Dual Degree
Penn Engineering students that meet the eligibility criteria will graduate from their Penn Engineering graduate program and matriculate as a MSE-DS Online student, transferring four (4) course units of electives from their graduate degree program and taking six (6) additional MSE-DS Online course units resulting in two graduate degrees from Penn Engineering for a total of sixteen (16) course units.
Application Checklist
- Personal statement A 500 – 750 word essay describing your interest in the program, how you would benefit, and why you will succeed.
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Double-Counting Penn Engineering CoursesYou will be required on the application to indicate which four (4) course units you plan to double-count from your Penn Engineering graduate degree to your dual degree.
- No Application Fee
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensMarch 9, 2026
- Application DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MSE-DSDual Degree Application
MSE-AI Online Dual Degree
MCIT Online alumni that meet the eligibility criteria will graduate from their Penn Engineering graduate program and matriculate as a MSE-AI Online student, transferring four (4) course units of electives from their graduate degree program and taking six (6) additional MSE-AI Online course units resulting in two graduate degrees from Penn Engineering for a total of sixteen (16) course units.
Application Checklist
- Personal statement A 500 – 750 word essay describing your interest in the program, how you would benefit, and why you will succeed.
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Double-Counting Penn Engineering CoursesYou will be required on the application to indicate which four (4) course units you plan to double-count from your Penn Engineering graduate degree to your dual degree.
- No Application Fee
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensMarch 9, 2026
- Application DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MSE-AIDual Degree Application
MSE-SSC Online Dual Degree
MCIT Online alumni that meet the eligibility criteria will graduate from their Penn Engineering graduate program and matriculate as a MSE-SSC Online student, transferring four (4) course units of electives from their graduate degree program and taking six (6) additional MSE-SSC Online course units resulting in two graduate degrees from Penn Engineering for a total of sixteen (16) course units.
Application Checklist
- Personal statement A 500 – 750 word essay describing your interest in the program, how you would benefit, and why you will succeed.
- Unofficial college transcripts
- Double-Counting Penn Engineering CoursesYou will be required on the application to indicate which four (4) course units you plan to double-count from your Penn Engineering graduate degree to your dual degree.
- No Application Fee
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensMarch 9, 2026
- Application DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Classes StartAugust 2026
You do not need to have all of your materials to begin your application. Get started by entering basic information!
Start Your MSE-SSCDual Degree Application
Online Graduate Certificates
Penn Engineering alumni are eligible to apply for Online Graduate Certificates. Current students may start the application for an Online Graduate Certificate during their last semester as a degree student and must graduate from their degree program before becoming an Online Graduate Certificate student.
Application Checklist
- Personal statement One (1) to two (2) paragraphs on how a certificate will benefit you and course plan for the certificate.
- Unofficial Penn Engineering TranscriptScan a copy of your official transcript or download a pdf from Path@Penn (Penn InTouch for Spring 2022 and earlier graduates).
- No Application Fee
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensMarch 16, 2026
- Application DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Decision NotificationRolling until June 12, 2026
- Confirmation Form DueJuly 10, 2026
Start your application to a Penn Engineering Online certificate program.
Start Your Certificate ApplicationTake A Course
Penn Engineering graduates are eligible to rejoin the Penn community by enrolling in stand-alone courses for credit. Join our world-renowned faculty to stay up to date on new developments in computer science and engineering, and build on your Penn credentials.
Application Checklist
- Choose Your Course Review the prerequisite knowledge needed and select your top choices for consideration.
- Unofficial Penn Engineering Transcript Scan a copy of your official transcript or download a pdf from Path@Penn (Penn InTouch for Spring 2022 and earlier graduates).
- No Application Fee
Fall 2026 Key Dates
- Application OpensMarch 16, 2026
- Application DeadlineMay 18, 2026
- Decision NotificationRolling until June 12, 2026
- Confirmation Form DueJuly 10, 2026
Start your application to take a course with Penn Engineering Online.
Start Your ApplicationOn-Demand Learning
Discover the world of engineering with flexible, on-demand learning. Our noncredit courses and credentials, taught by Penn Engineering faculty in collaboration with Coursera, offer an accessible, open enrollment, self-paced experience for everyone.
Application Checklist
Penn Engineering Alum
- Personal Identification Information
- Penn ID
- Penn Email
- No Application Fee
Learning Application
Public Access
- Select a Course or Specialization
- Create a Coursera Account
- Online services fees Course fee is dependent upon selection.
or Specialization
Accelerated Master's Program - For current Penn undergraduate students looking to pursue the Accelerated Master's Program online or for current residential Accelerated Master's students looking to transition to the online path, please submit your applications here.
Application Tips
Follow these best practices to ensure your application is complete.
- Fill out all information and answer all questions completely and thoughtfully. Every item submitted is important.
- Collect and submit all transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended.
- Ask for recommendations from three individuals, to ensure you get the minimum of two recommendations.
- Answer all questions from the personal statement prompts and illustrate your passion for your desired field. The personal statement acts as your interview.
- Select recommenders who are above your level at an organization, or an academic recommender.
- GRE or GMAT scores are not required, but submitting your score is a way to prove your quantitative ability if needed.
- Make sure your recommenders are timely with their submission and knows you well enough to provide detail on why you are a great applicant.
- Check the status of your submission in your online application portal and verify that all documents have been submitted by the deadline.
How We Evaluate Candidates
Applications are evaluated holistically as a complete portfolio. Every item in the application is important and should be completed thoroughly. In general, we look for students who we expect will succeed in, benefit from, and contribute to Penn Engineering Online. We want to see who you are as a person and why you want to be here.