About the College
Ron W. Darbeau, Ph.D., Chancellor, Penn State Altoona
Penn State Altoona is a multi-campus, four-year college of Penn State that offers students accessible education, individualized experiences, and lifelong learning skills that position them to forge their own pathways to personal and professional success. At Penn State Altoona, students may complete 21 baccalaureate and 5 associate degree programs or start the first two years of more than 275 Penn State majors. The campus offers students an array of co-curricular experiences and engagement opportunities, including student clubs and organizations, NCAA Division III athletics, education abroad, undergraduate research, and career counseling and exploration. Located 40 miles from University Park, Penn State Altoona combines the advantages of an intimate college teaching environment with the readily available resources of a major research university.
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Mission and Goals
Penn State Altoona’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant learning environment through excellence in teaching, research, creative activities, outreach and the advancement of personal, social, and intellectual growth, and to empower a diverse student body with the knowledge and skills to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners, and civically-engaged global citizens.
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Departments and Schools
Division of Arts and Humanities
The Division of Arts and Humanities provides high-quality teaching and programs that allow students to process and document the human experience. Courses equip students with the critical thinking, oral and written communication, ethical decision-making, and creative problem-solving skills necessary for meaningful engagement with the world and professional success.
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Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology
The Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology offers high-quality, accredited, diverse programs; exciting student activities; and modern facilities. Our deep dedication to teaching enables our students to excel in the fields of business, engineering, engineering technology, rail transportation engineering, or information sciences.
Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences
The Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences provides innovative and transformative educational and research experiences in a student-centered learning environment. We are committed to preparing students to think critically, solve problems, apply knowledge, demonstrate skills, engage in genuine inquiry, and communicate effectively in an ever-changing global context.
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Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
The Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences promotes academic excellence through distinctive teaching, research, and service. The Division offers bachelor's degrees in biology and environmental studies and minors in biology, chemistry, environmental studies, mathematics, and mathematics applications.
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Baccalaureate Degrees
- Accounting, B.S. (Altoona)
- Biology, B.S. (Altoona)
- Business, B.S. (Altoona)
- Communications, B.A. (Altoona)
- Criminal Justice, B.A. (Altoona)
- Criminal Justice, B.S. (Altoona)
- Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S. (Altoona)
- Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S. (Altoona)
- Elementary and Kindergarten Education, B.S. (Altoona)
- English, B.A. (Altoona)
- Environmental Studies, B.A.
- Environmental Studies, B.S.
- History, B.A. (Altoona)
- Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. (Altoona)
- Information Technology, B.S. (Altoona)
- Kinesiology, B.S. (Altoona)
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S. (Altoona)
- Multidisciplinary Studies, B.A. (Altoona)
- Psychology, B.A. (Altoona)
- Psychology, B.S. (Altoona)
- Rail Transportation Engineering, B.S.
- Security and Risk Analysis, B.S. (Altoona)
- Visual Art Studies, B.A.
Associate Degrees
Minors
Certificates
College Procedures
Change of Campus
Change of Campus offers the opportunity to begin at one of our campuses and complete your degree at another campus. The process is based on whether or not a student can schedule classes and make academic progress at their current and proposed campuses. Change of Campus requests for non-academic reasons (e.g., participation in a club/sport, employment, housing, or to enroll in classes for a minor) will not be approved.
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Concurrent Majors
A Concurrent Majors Program is one in which students take courses to concurrently meet the requirements of at least two majors, with graduation for all majors in the program occurring during the same semester. Baccalaureate or associate degree students can earn degrees in more than one Penn State major. When completing concurrent majors, students simultaneously complete all academic requirements for their majors with two (or more) degrees in the same semester. Students apply for concurrent majors in the Update Academics module of LionPATH. Students should meet with their advisers for more information and to discuss any program limitations.
READ SENATE POLICY 60-00: COMPLETING MORE THAN ONE UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR PROGRAM
Academic Warning
A student who fails to earn a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average will be placed on academic warning. A student placed on academic warning will have a hold placed on registration and will be required to meet with an academic adviser in order for this registration hold to be removed. To remove academic warning, the cumulative grade-point average must be 2.00 or higher.
READ SENATE POLICY 54-20: ACADEMIC WARNING
Academic Suspension
A student in academic warning who fails to maintain a semester grade-point average of 2.00 or higher will be academically suspended. A student who has been academically suspended may not schedule courses at the University for two consecutive semesters. (Note: Summer session is equal to one semester.)
Resources
Wilbur K. Kraybill Academic Advising Center
The Wilbur K. Kraybill Academic Advising Center is staffed by professional Division of Undergraduate Studies advisers. The advisers serve to provide information regarding academic policies and procedures, assist in developing short-term/long-term academic planning, and refer students to campus resources. Our mission is to provide students with access to well-informed academic advisers who will assist them as they explore, develop and implement realistic educational goals and plans.
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Learning Resources Center
The Learning Resources Center (LRC) helps Penn State Altoona students to be successful in learning. All of our services are free to Penn State Altoona students, and the simplest way to get started is to come and visit us. The LRC is located on the first floor of the Eiche Library building. Most of our tutoring is handled by professional tutors or by instructors from the discipline. In some subjects, we also offer peer tutoring.
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Engaged Scholarship
Penn State Altoona students have a multitude and variety of opportunities to participate in activities outside of the classroom. These out-of-class activities are designed to complement in-class learning. The activities and experiences vary widely, but common examples include study abroad/study away (both domestic and international travel), academic internships/clinical work, research/creative activities, and community-based studies.
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Health and Wellness Center
Our nationally-accredited Health and Wellness Center is committed to promoting the health, wellness, and safety of our campus community. Our services include health, counseling, disability, and psychiatric and psychological services, as well as health education and other primary prevention programming.
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Center for Student and Civic Engagement
The Center for Student and Civic Engagement at Penn State Altoona is committed to providing opportunities for students to connect to the communities they are a part of while affecting positive growth and change for both the student and the community!
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Honors Programs
Schreyer Honors College
The Schreyer Honors College, regarded as one of the nation’s top programs of its kind, promotes achieving academic excellence with integrity, building a global perspective, and creating opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Schreyer Scholars, including those admitted after their first or second year of enrollment, are a diverse and motivated group of approximately 2,000 students at University Park and 20 Commonwealth campuses. The College strives to educate students who will have an important and ethical influence in the world, to improve educational practice, and to continue to be recognized as a leading force in honors education nationwide.
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Honors at Penn State Altoona
The Altoona Honors Program provides an enriched academic experience for high-achieving, motivated students. The program offers students who qualify with opportunities to shape their coursework, research, and creative efforts in ways that help them best meet their academic and professional goals.