INSC Admissions

Who Should Apply

The INSC Interdisciplinary Graduate Program accepts students from a variety of undergraduate majors and Masters programs, including engineering, linguistics, the humanities, and social sciences.

If you would like to receive more information about the INSC program, you can join our prospective student list by completing the request for information form with the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS) click here and under "program of interest" choose "Information Security - Interdisciplinary"

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Application Deadline

Our priority application deadline for fall entry into the INSC Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (INSC-IGP) is November 15th.  Applications submitted before this deadline will be given priority consideration.

The INSC Interdisciplinary Graduate Program typically admits students for fall semester start dates. Rare exceptions for spring and summer admission will be considered on a case by case basis.

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How to Apply

  • Review the Purdue University Graduate Program Application Process
  • Open the Purdue University Graduate Program Electronic Application
  • Click on Apply Now
  • Create an account to begin applying to Interdisciplinary Information Security
  • Be sure to choose Interdisciplinary Information Security as the primary program of interest 
  • Complete the application and submit all application materials
  • Once all of your application materials have been received, the complete application will be considered by the INSC Admissions Committee, which consists of representatives from INSC participating departments

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Required Application Materials  

  • Transcripts
  • Recommendation letters
  • Academic Statement of Purpose - MUST include an essay addressing why you are applying to the interdisciplinary program instead of one of the department programs, e.g., CS or CNIT
  • Personal History Statement
  • English Proficiency requirements (for non-native English speaking international applicants)
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores 
  • C.V. or Resume (recommended but not required)

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Additional Instructions:


  • English Proficiency Requirements - International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission in one of the following ways: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo. Scores must be sent electronically through the ETS website using Purdue West Lafayette institution code 1631. 
  • GRE Scores - GRE Scores must be sent electronically through the ETS website using Purdue West Lafayette institution code 1631. 
  • Academic Statement of Purpose - The academic statement of purpose should be a 300-500 word essay to discuss your purpose for undertaking or continuing the graduate study, your reasons for wanting to study in the INSC program at Purdue, your research interests, your professional plans, and your career goals.  You may also explain or elaborate on any special circumstances applicable to your background, your research experience, abilities, awards, achievements, and/or scholarly publications. Please be sure to specify the areas of ecology, environmental science or engineering, and the type of project that interest you.  Please indicate if you are pursuing a masters non-thesis, masters thesis, or Ph.D. degree.
  • Personal History Statement - The personal history statement helps reviewers learn more about you as a whole person and as a potential graduate student. This may include relevant details on community service, leadership roles, participation in diverse teams, and significant barriers that you overcome to attend graduate school.
  • Recommendation Letters - Please request these be supplied through the electronic application website.
  • TranscriptsAll transcripts and/or academic documents uploaded to the online application system are considered unofficial. The uploaded transcript and/or academic document must be from the official version of the document. An official transcript bears the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. An unofficial transcript printed from your current/previous institution(s) student system is not an acceptable document. You will need to provide official transcripts and/or academic records at the request of the graduate program or if you are admitted and choose to enroll.
  • International applicants must upload to their application a completion of degree certificate for each BS and MS received electronically.

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