Penn State University Graduate Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) stands as a prominent public, state-related, land-grant research university with a vast network of campuses and facilities across Pennsylvania. Often recognized as one of the “Public Ivies,” Penn State offers a standard of education comparable to that of the elite Ivy League institutions. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1855, Penn State has evolved into one of the largest universities in the United States, making significant contributions to research and education. This article provides a detailed overview of Penn State's graduate programs, exploring the academic offerings, resources, and opportunities available to graduate students.
A Brief History of Penn State
Founded as Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania in 1855, Penn State was designated as the state's first land-grant university in 1863. The institution's name changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862. Over the years, Penn State has experienced substantial growth and transformation. In 1953, it officially became The Pennsylvania State University. Today, it runs more than 275 undergraduate degree programmes as well as postgraduate qualifications, while conducting more than $1.44 billion-worth of research every year.
Penn State's Extensive Academic Offerings
Penn State provides a wide array of academic programs and resources for graduate students. The university offers more than 200 graduate major programs, several stand-alone graduate minor programs, and approximately 140 graduate and post-baccalaureate certificate programs. A graduate minor is also available in any approved graduate major program. The graduate programs are offered under the auspices of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School.
Graduate Programs Catalog
A full catalog of all graduate programs is available across all campuses and every academic college at Penn State. These programs are designed to prepare students to assume positions of informed and responsible authority in their fields and to contribute creatively to them. They promote not only specialization but also breadth of scholarship, the ability to study and think independently, and familiarity with the principal techniques and important literature in the field.
Professional School Programs
Penn State also offers professional degrees and courses at its law and medical schools. These programs provide specialized training for students pursuing careers in law and medicine. For a full list of programs, refer to the University Bulletin.
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The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School
Graduate student success and graduate program excellence are at the core of the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School at Penn State. It serves as a central administrative unit, supporting more than 300 graduate degree programs throughout the University. These include both research and professional master's and doctoral degrees, and more than 200 graduate major fields of study. Additionally, the Fox Graduate School offers a multitude of postbaccalaureate and graduate credit certificates.
Student Support and Resources
The Fox Graduate School provides student support through professional development, wellness initiatives, and graduate equity opportunities and programs. It also collaborates with campus partners to coordinate offerings specifically for graduate students.
Graduate Exhibition
Graduate students from all Penn State colleges and campuses are invited to register for the Graduate Exhibition, a showcase of research and creative activity powered by graduate students. Community members are invited to attend to learn about exciting new areas of scholarship and can optionally serve as a judge.
Research at Penn State
At Penn State, researchers are actively involved in solving real-world problems that impact the health, safety, and quality of life of people across the Commonwealth, the nation, and around the world. The university conducts more than $1.44 billion-worth of research every year.
Applied Research Lab (ARL)
The Applied Research Lab (ARL), located near the University Park campus, has been a research partner with the United States Department of Defense since 1945. It conducts research primarily in support of the United States Navy.
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Materials Research Institute (MRI)
The Materials Research Institute (MRI) coordinates the diverse and growing materials activities across Penn State's University Park campus. MRI was designed to break down the academic walls that traditionally divide disciplines and enable faculty to collaborate across departmental and even college boundaries.
Center for Advanced Materials (CAM)
Dr. Richard E. Tressler was the founding director of the Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), which supported many faculty and students from various colleges and laboratories at Penn State on high-temperature materials.
Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
The university was one of the founding members of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), a partnership that includes 17 research-led universities in the United States, Asia, and Europe.
CiteSeerX
The university's College of Information Sciences and Technology is the home of CiteSeerX, an open-access repository and search engine for scholarly publications.
Radiation Science & Engineering Center
The university is also the host to the Radiation Science & Engineering Center, which houses the oldest operating university research reactor.
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Graduate Program in Acoustics
University Park houses the Graduate Program in Acoustics, the only freestanding acoustics program in the United States.
Center for Medieval Studies
The university also houses the Center for Medieval Studies, a program that was founded to research and study the European Middle Ages.
Center for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE)
The Center for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) is one of the first centers established to research postsecondary education.
Penn State's Campus Locations
In addition to the University Park campus, 19 campus locations throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania offer enrollment for undergraduate students. Over 60 percent of Penn State first-year students begin their education at a location other than University Park. Each of the 19 commonwealth campuses offer a unique set of degree programs based on the student demographics.
Penn State Dickinson Law
Dickinson Law, founded in 1834 as The Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, is the oldest law school in Pennsylvania and the fifth-oldest in the country. In 2006, a second law campus was opened at University Park.
Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies
Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies in Malvern is a special mission campus offering master's degrees, graduate certification, and continuing professional education.
Penn State University College of Medicine
Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey is the university's medical school and teaching hospital.
Penn State World Campus
In 1998, the university launched Penn State World Campus, or Penn State Online, which offers more than 60 online education programs, degrees, and certificates. Distance education has a long history at Penn State, one of the first universities in the country to offer a correspondence course for remote farmers in 1892.
Governance and Administration
Penn State is a state-related university and a member of Pennsylvania's Commonwealth System of Higher Education. The 32-member board of trustees governs the university. The university president is selected by the board and is given the authority for actual control of the university, including day-to-day management. Neeli Bendapudi became the university's 19th and current president on May 9, 2022. The executive vice president and provost is the chief academic officer of the university.
Admissions and Accreditation
In 2023, the university received 85,957 applications and extended offers of admission to 46,605 applicants, or 54%. Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Student Life
Penn State offers a vibrant student life with numerous opportunities for involvement and engagement. As of September 2014, 864 student organizations were recognized at the University Park campus. In addition, the university has one of the largest Greek systems in the country, with approximately 12 percent of the University Park population affiliated.
Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON)
Annually in February, thousands of students participate in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). Started in 1973 with 78 participants, THON has grown to become the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
The Lion's Pantry
The Lion's Pantry is an undergraduate student-run on-campus food pantry and registered student organization that serves undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
Safety and Security
Twenty-two of Penn State's campuses are served by Penn State University Police and Public Safety. Penn State University Park is also served by the Penn State University Ambulance Service, known as Centre County Company 20.
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