About the College
Ralph M. Ford, Ph.D., Chancellor and Dean, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Penn State Behrend students enjoy access to a global research university within the supportive environment of a welcoming, student-centered college. We’re a top public college in Pennsylvania and ranked among the top 10 percent for best value and highest return on tuition investment (PayScale, SmartAsset).
We prepare our students through highly engaged instruction, research, and out-of-class opportunities, combined with a distinctive Open Lab model of learning and discovery that offers real-world experience. We offer nearly fifty degrees in business, engineering, the humanities, the sciences, and nursing.
More than 3,300 students are enrolled in residential instruction, with an additional 950 in Behrend programs offered on World Campus. Small class sizes and low faculty-to-student ratio give Behrend students opportunities to form mentoring relationships with professors.
About 75 percent of Behrend students complete their Penn State degree here. Others study for the first two years of the 275+ degrees offered across the University.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Mission and Goals
Penn State Behrend is an Open Lab, where students partner with external stakeholders to solve real-world challenges. Through an emphasis on student success, curricular excellence, and relevant research, we prepare thinkers, leaders, and innovators to make a positive impact on their professions, their communities, and the greater world.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MISSION AND GOALS OF PENN STATE ERIE, THE BEHREND COLLEGE
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BLACK SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
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.
Baccalaureate Degrees
- Accounting, B.S. (Behrend)
- Biology, B.S. (Behrend)
- Business Economics, B.S.
- Chemistry, B.S. (Behrend)
- Communication, B.A. (Behrend)
- Computer Engineering, B.S. (Behrend)
- Computer Science, B.S. (Behrend)
- Creative Writing, B.F.A.
- Digital Media, Arts, and Technology, B.A.
- Economics, B.A. (Behrend)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, B.S.
- Electrical Engineering, B.S. (Behrend)
- English, B.A. (Behrend)
- Environmental Science, B.S.
- Finance, B.S. (Behrend)
- Functional Data Analytics, B.S.
- General Arts and Sciences, B.A.
- History, B.A. (Behrend)
- Industrial Engineering, B.S. (Behrend)
- Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies, B.S.
- Interdisciplinary Science and Business, B.S.
- International Business, B.S.
- Management Information Systems, B.S. (Behrend)
- Marketing, B.S. (Behrend)
- Mathematics, B.S. (Behrend)
- Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S. (Behrend)
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S. (Behrend)
- Physics, B.S. (Behrend)
- Plastics Engineering Technology, B.S.
- Political Science, B.A. (Behrend)
- Polymer Engineering and Science, B.S.
- Project and Supply Chain Management, B.S. (Behrend)
- Psychology, B.A. (Behrend)
- Psychology, B.S. (Behrend)
- Science, B.S. (Behrend)
- Secondary Education, B.S. (Behrend)
- Software Engineering, B.S.
Associate Degrees
Minors
- Accounting, Minor
- Applied Economics, Minor
- Communication Arts and Mass Media, Minor
- Computer Engineering, Minor (Behrend)
- Computer Science, Minor (Behrend)
- Crime, Law, and Psychology, Minor
- Data Visualization, Minor
- English, Minor (Behrend)
- Finance, Minor
- Game Development, Minor
- History, Minor (Behrend)
- Management Information Systems, Minor
- Marketing, Minor
- Mathematics, Minor (Behrend)
- Media Production, Minor
- Operations and Supply Chain Management, Minor
- Politics and Government, Minor
- Project and Supply Chain Management, Minor
- Psychological Science, Minor
- Statistics, Minor (Behrend)
- Technical Sales, Minor
- Transnational Perspectives, Minor
Certificates
- Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics, Certificate
- Advertising, Certificate
- Behavioral Finance, Certificate
- Behavioral Health and Counseling Psychology, Certificate
- Child Development, Certificate
- Energy Finance, Certificate
- Enterprise Resource Planning with Oracle, Certificate
- Enterprise Resource Planning with SAP, Certificate
- Financial Controllership, Certificate
- Financial Planning, Certificate
- Financial Risk Management, Certificate
- German Studies, Certificate
- Global Awareness, Certificate
- Human Factors, Certificate
- Medical Plastics, Certificate
- Plastics Processing, Certificate
- Project and Supply Chain Analytics, Certificate
- Public Relations, Certificate
- Sports Administration, Certificate
- Trauma Studies, Certificate
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHANGE OF CAMPUS
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACADEMIC WARNING
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.
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?”).
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACADEMIC AND CAREER PLANNING CENTER
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ATHLETICS AND RECREATION
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND DIVERSITY PROGRAMS
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDY CENTER
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPEN-LAB LEARNING
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PERSONAL COUNSELING
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIAL LIVING OPTIONS
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.
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHREYER HONORS COLLEGE
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.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HONORS AT PENN STATE ERIE, THE BEHREND COLLEGE
Contact
PENN STATE ERIE, THE BEHREND COLLEGE
4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
behrend.admissions@psu.edu