About the College
Ralph M. Ford, Chancellor, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, gives undergraduate and graduate students the best of two worlds: The friendly, student-centered environment of a smaller college with the academic resources of a major research university. We offer an academically rigorous, globally respected Penn State education in a setting where students can have close interaction with faculty and meaningful out-of-classroom experiences. With more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, 80-plus academic programs, and an inspiring 854-acre campus, Penn State Behrend is among the largest campuses in the Penn State system. We’re one of the top public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania for student-to-faculty ratio, SAT scores, first-year student retention rate, and graduation rate, based on U.S. News & World Report data. Penn State Behrend’s faculty-to-student ratio is 1:16, and the average class size is 26.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Mission and Goals
There are six hallmarks of the Penn State Behrend experience:
- High Quality: Excellence in academics, research, and outreach
- Student-Centeredness
- Advanced Technology: State-of-the-art classrooms and labs.
- Inspiring Campus Environment
- Diversity: Behrend is a laboratory for ideas, and the more perspectives that can be brought to bear, the greater the learning
- Land-Grant Commitment: We are an economic, social, and cultural catalyst in northwestern Pennsylvania and beyond
Departments and Schools
Black School of Business
The Black School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting agency for management education. A technology-rich environment and unique learning opportunities are made possible by a $20 million endowment from the late insurance executive Samuel P. Black Jr. and his wife, Irene. Graduate programs offered by the Black School include Master of Business Administration, Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Project Management, and Master of Manufacturing Management, which is offered jointly with the School of Engineering.
School of Engineering
The School of Engineering is ranked among the top 29 undergraduate engineering programs nationwide. Why? State-of-the-art facilities, award-winning faculty, ABET-accredited programs in both engineering and engineering technology, small class sizes, emphasis on meaningful student design and research experiences, and superior internship and job placement. The school offers an interdisciplinary Master of Manufacturing Management, with program delivery primarily online.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
The School offers diverse four-year degree programs that develop both intellect and practical skills. Our students are tomorrow’s historians, writers, communicators, and educators, exploring and reflecting on our society and the larger world beyond. Highly accomplished faculty are scholars, writers, and skilled teachers with years of practical professional experiences. The School offers a Master of Arts in Applied Clinical Psychology.
School of Science
School of Science students receive a transdisciplinary, hands-on education in basic and applied sciences guided by experienced faculty using state-of-the-art instruments. Students have opportunities for community engagement, service learning, and internships. The hallmark of Science programs is the opportunity to conduct substantive research not typically offered at the undergraduate level.
Resources
Graduate Programs Office
Not sure how to get started in graduate education The Graduate Programs Office can answer questions regarding program offerings, admissions requirements, and direct you to the faculty coordinator for the graduate program that interests you.
Educational Equity and Diversity Programs
Penn State Behrend is committed to promoting diversity. The Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs supports and serves as an advocate for diverse populations within the college community, creating an environment that promotes respect for differences while fostering caring relationships and cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
English Language Study Center
The English Language Study Center offers classes and support services designed to help multicultural learners develop the reading, writing, and speaking skills needed to succeed on the job or in the university-level classroom.
Health and Wellness Center
Penn State Behrend has two on-campus Health and Wellness Centers that can diagnose and treat most illnesses and minor injuries. The centers also help students to manage chronic health conditions or obtain needed immunizations. Most major insurances are accepted.
Open-Lab Learning
Penn State Behrend’s open-lab philosophy creates relevant learning experiences by bringing business and industry together with students and faculty members. Together, these academic-professional teams work to solve business, industry, and community challenges and pursue research and development initiatives.
Personal Counseling
The Office of Personal Counseling offers free individual counseling, support groups, and psychiatric and crisis intervention services to Penn State Behrend students. All services are free and confidential.
Contact
Ivor Knight
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
itk2@psu.edu