Penn State Erie, The Behrend College

About the CollegE

Ralph M. Ford, Ph.D., 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.

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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

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Departments and Schools

Black School of Business

The Black School of Business is the only institution in northwestern Pennsylvania 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.

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School of Engineering

The School of Engineering is ranked among the top 40 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.

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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.

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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.

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Baccalaureate Degrees

Associate Degrees

Minors

Certificates

College Procedures

Change of Campus

The University admits first-semester baccalaureate degree students to a campus that can provide at least two semesters of normal progress toward the program they have selected. Generally, students are expected to complete two full years of academic work at their initial campus.

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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. At the baccalaureate- or associate-degree level, students may be approved for admission to more than one major under the Concurrent Majors Program.

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.

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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.)Students wishing to re-enroll at Penn State Behrend after Academic Suspension must prepare a written statement requesting re-enrollment and submit an Undergraduate Re-Enrollment Form.

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READ SENATE POLICY 54-40: ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

Resources

Academic and Career Planning Center

Having a solid academic plan and preparation for the internship and job search is vital for success in a competitive world. The Academic and Career Planning Center can assist you with both the big picture (“Which career is right for me?”) and the details (“How do I create a resume?”).

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Athletics and Recreation

Don’t stop playing the sports you love! Penn State Behrend fields twenty-four NCAA DIII athletic teams for men and women, plus offers club sports, intramurals, and recreation programs.

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Division of Undergraduate Studies

Not sure what you want to major in? You’re not alone! Most Penn State students begin their college career in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. DUS students pursue their General Education requirements while they explore major options and career interests.

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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Learning Resource Center

The Learning Resource Center offers free tutoring for most first- and second-year courses and some advanced courses, plus exam prep and study-skills development workshops. Tutoring is available seven days a week on an appointment, drop-in, and group-study basis.  

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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.  

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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.  

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Special Living Options

Special Living Options, or SLOs, are on-campus intentional communities built around a common interest. There are seven SLOs in Penn State Behrend’s nineteen residence halls: Discovery House, Engineering House, Global Boarders, Honors House, Ally House, Living in a Free Environment, and Tree House.  

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Study Abroad

The Learning Resource Center helps students to find, schedule, and pay for learning experiences outside of the United States. Can’t commit to a full year abroad? There are many courses that range from ten days to one semester.  

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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 Erie, The Behrend College

The Penn State Behrend Honors Program offers a richer academic experience to highly qualified first- and second-year students. Benefits to participation include participation in seminar-style Honors classes, greater flexibility for pursuing your personal academic interests, priority scheduling, additional scholarship opportunities, and the ability to live in special Honors housing. Students who complete nine or more Honors credits while maintaining a minimum cumulative grade-point average are awarded an Honors Certificate.

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Contact

PENN STATE ERIE, THE BEHREND COLLEGE
4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
behrend.admissions@psu.edu

https://behrend.psu.edu