Penn State Undergraduate Studies Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Penn State University offers a wide array of undergraduate programs designed to cater to diverse interests and career aspirations. With over 275 undergraduate majors and more than 1,000 student clubs and organizations, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and develop their skills. The university provides a supportive academic environment, boasting a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and with 31.4% of its classes having fewer than 20 students. The average freshman retention rate, a key indicator of student satisfaction, stands at an impressive 92%.

Exploring Academic Offerings

Penn State provides a comprehensive catalog of academic programs, including bachelor's and associate degrees, courses, and certificates. To see a full listing of programs, students can visit the majors page. This resource allows prospective students to explore the numerous options available across Penn State's campuses and academic colleges.

Discovering Your Path

For students unsure of where to begin, Penn State offers the "Find Your Fit" quiz. This tool helps students explore majors, campuses, athletics, and student groups, providing personalized recommendations tailored to their goals and interests.

Starting Your Penn State Journey

Students can begin their Penn State experience at one of the university's undergraduate campus locations or through the online World Campus, offering flexibility and accessibility.

Popular Majors at Penn State

The Pennsylvania State University--University Park boasts several popular majors, reflecting current trends and career opportunities. The ten most popular majors for 2024 graduates include:

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (16%)
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (11%)
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (7%)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences (7%)
Health Professions and Related Programs (4%)
Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields (4%)

Other popular fields of study include Engineering; Social Sciences; Psychology; and Education.

Finding Your Ideal Major, College, or Career

Penn State also offers the Innate Assessment, a tool designed to help students discover the perfect major based on their unique skills and abilities. This assessment pairs students with majors, colleges, and careers that align with their innate wiring, setting them up for success.

Degrees Offered

Penn State offers a wide range of degrees, catering to various academic and professional goals:

Certificate
Associate
Bachelor's
Post-bachelor's certificate
Master's
Doctorate - professional practice
Doctorate - research/scholarship

Combined-Degree Programs

Penn State provides numerous combined-degree programs, allowing students to earn multiple degrees in a condensed timeframe. These programs offer an integrated approach to learning, combining different fields of study to provide a more comprehensive education. Here are some examples of combined-degree programs offered at Penn State:

American Studies (B.A./M.A.)
B.A. in Asian Studies - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A. in Chinese - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A. in German - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A. in International Politics - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A. in Japanese - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A. in Mathematics/Master of Applied Statistics
B.A. in Music - M.A. in Music Theory (B.A./M.A.)
B.A. in Music - M.A. in Music Theory and History (B.A./M.A.)
B.A. in Music - M.A. in Musicology (B.A./M.A.)
B.A. in Political Science - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A. in Russian - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A./B.S. and M.I.A. in Global and International Studies - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
B.A./B.S. in Public Policy- Integrated B.A/B.S in Communication Arts and Sciences and M.P.P in Public Policy (PPOL)
B.A./B.S./M.I.A Sociology- Integrated B.A./B.S and M.I.A. in International Affairs
B.A./B.S/M.I.A. International Affairs (INTAF) - Integrated B.A/B.S in Criminology/M.I.A. in International Affairs
B.A./B.S/M.S.Communication Arts and Sciences- Integrated B.A./B.S in Communication Arts and Sciences and M.S. in Human Resources and Employment Relations (HRER)
B.A./B.S/M.S.Communication Arts- Integrated B.A./B.S and M.A. in Media Studies
B.A./M.A. in Comparative Literature
B.A./M.A. in English
B.A./M.A. in History
B.A./M.A. in Media Studies
B.Arch/M.Arch
B.L.A/M.S. Landscape Architecture-Integrated B.L.A. and M.S. in Landscape Architecture
B.M. in Performance - M.A. in Music Theory (B.M./M.A.)
B.M. in Performance - M.A. in Music Theory and History (B.M./M.A.)
B.M. in Performance - M.A. in Musicology (B.M./M.A.)
B.S. and M.I.A. in Computer Engineering- Integrated B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.I.A in International Affairs
B.S. and MIA in Electrical Engineering- Integrated B.S. and M.I.A in International Affairs
B.S. Computer Engineering- Integrated B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.I.A in International Affairs
B.S. in Accounting/Masters of Accounting (B.S./M.A.)
B.S. in Aerospace Engineering - Integrated B.S. and M.I.A. in International Affairs (INTAF)
B.S. in African American Studies and M.P.P. in public policy
B.S. in Biology - M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (B.S./M.Ed.)
B.S. in Biotechnology/Master of Biotechnology (B.S./M.B.)
B.S. in Chemistry - M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (B.S./M.Ed.)
B.S. in German - M.I.A. in International Affairs (B.S./M.I.A.)
B.S. in Mathematics - M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (B.S./M.Ed.)
B.S. in Mathematics/Master of Applied Statistics
B.S. in Science - Master of Business Administration (B.S./M.B.A.)
B.S. in Spanish - M.S. in Human Resources and Employment Relations (B.S./M.S.)
B.S. in Special Education - Masters in Curriculum and Instruction (B.S./M.Ed.)
B.S. in Statistics - Master of Applied Statistics (B.S./M.A.S.)
B.S./M.A. Education and Public Policy - Integrated B.S/M.A. in Education Theory and Policy
B.S./M.H.A. in Health Policy and Administration
B.S./M.I.A Computer Science and International Affairs
B.S./M.I.A. Security Risk Analysis-Integrated B.S and M.I.A in International Affairs
B.S./M.P.H. Biobehavioral Health-Integrated B.S. and M.P.H. in Public Health
B.S./M.S. Enterprise Technology Integration - Integrated B.S. in Enterprise Technology Integration and M.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
B.S./M.S. in Computer Science
B.S./M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics
B.S./M.S. in Geosciences
B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
B.S./M.S. in Meteorology
B.S./M.S. Information Sciences and Technology - Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis/M.S. in Information Sciences and Technology
B.S/M.S. Human-Centered Design - Integrated B.S. in Human-Centered Design and M.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering/Master of Architecture Engineering (B.A.E./M.A.E.)
Biomedical Sciences (Ph.D./M.D.)
Business Administration (M.B.A./M.D.)
Engineering Science and Mechanics (Ph.D./M.D.)
Human Resources and Employment Relations - B.S. in Psychology/M.S. in Human Resources and Employment Relations (B.S./M.S.)
Information Sciences and Technology (B.S./M.S.)
International Affairs (B.A./M.I.A.)
J.D./Doctor of Educational Leadership (J.D./Ph.D.) or (J.D./D.Ed.)
J.D./Doctor of Educational Theory and Policy Ph.D. (J.D./Ph.D.)
J.D./Doctor of Higher Education (J.D./Ph.D.) or (J.D./D.Ed.)
J.D./Master of Arts in Educational Theory and Policy M.A. (J.D./M.A.)
J.D./Master of Business Administration M.B.A. (J.D./M.B.A.)
J.D./Master of Education in Higher Education (J.D./M.Ed.)
J.D./Master of Educational Leadership (J.D./M.Ed.)
J.D./Master of Health Policy Administration (J.D./M.H.A.)
J.D./Master of International Affairs M.I.A. (J.D./M.I.A.)
J.D./Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) in Public Administration (Capital College/Dickinson Law)
J.D./Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Public Health (College of Medicine/Dickinson Law)
J.D./Master of Science in Human Resources and Employment Relations (J.D./M.S.)
J.D/Master of Media Studies
Kinesiology (HHD,) M.P.H
Labor Studies and Employment Relations/Human Resources and Employment Relations (B.S./M.P.S.)
Labor Studies and Employment Relations/Human Resources and Employment Relations (B.S./M.S.)
M.D./M.Ed. Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
M.D./Ph.D Anthropology
M.D./Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Genomics
Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences (Ph.D./M.D.)
Public Health (M.P.H./M.D.)
B.A./M.A. Integrated B.A. in Anthropology or B.S. in Anthropological Science, and a B.A. in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies /M.A.

Full Catalog of Majors and Programs

Penn State offers more than 160 majors, 200 minors, and 100 undergraduate certificates across the University. A full catalog of all majors and programs available across all campuses and every academic college at Penn State can be found on their website. Students can use the filter tool to explore options and design their own, unique academic path.

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Programs Offered at Multiple Campuses

For some degree programs, students have the option to complete that particular degree program at multiple campuses. Programs with the same curriculum that are offered through multiple academic colleges are denoted by the same image. Here are some examples of programs offered at multiple campuses:

Accounting, B.S.
American Studies, B.A.
Art, B.A.
Artificial Intelligence Methods and Applications, B.S.
Biobehavioral Health, B.S.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.
Biology, B.S.
Business Administration, A.S.
Business, B.S.
Chemistry, B.S.
Civil Engineering, B.S.
Communication Arts and Sciences, B.A.
Communication Sciences and Disorders, B.S.
Communications, B.A.
Computer Engineering, B.S.
Computer Science, B.S.
Corporate Communication, B.A.
Criminal Justice, A.S.
Criminal Justice, B.A.
Criminal Justice, B.S.
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, B.S.
Data Sciences, B.S.
Digital Journalism and Media, B.A.
Economics, B.A.
Electrical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.
Electrical Engineering Technology, B.S.
Electrical Engineering, B.S.
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S.
Elementary and Kindergarten Education, B.S.
English, B.A.
Enterprise Technology Integration, B.S.
Film Production, B.A.
Finance, B.S.
Health Policy and Administration, B.S.
History, B.A.
Hospitality Management, B.S.
Human Development and Family Studies, A.S.
Human Development and Family Studies, B.S.
Human-Centered Design and Development, B.S.
Humanities, B.A.
Industrial Engineering, B.S.
Information Sciences and Technology, A.S.
Information Sciences and Technology, B.S.
Information Technology, B.S.
Integrative Arts, B.A.
Integrative Science, B.S.
Journalism, B.A.
Kinesiology, B.S.
Management Information Systems, B.S.
Management, B.S.
Marketing, B.S.
Mathematics, B.S.
Mechanical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.
Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S.
Mechanical Engineering, B.S.
Media Studies, B.A.
Multidisciplinary Studies, A.A.
Multidisciplinary Studies, B.A.
Occupational Therapy, A.S.
Physics, B.S.
Political Science, B.A.
Project and Supply Chain Management, B.S.
Psychology, B.A.
Psychology, B.S.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, B.S.
Rehabilitation and Human Services, B.S.
Science, B.S.
Secondary Education, B.S.
Security and Risk Analysis, B.S.
Sociology, B.S.

Minors and Certificates

In addition to majors, Penn State offers a variety of minors and undergraduate certificates to complement students' primary fields of study. These options allow students to gain expertise in specific areas and broaden their academic horizons. Examples include:

Communication and Social Justice, Minor
Digital Media Trends and Analytics, Minor
Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Minor
Film Studies, Minor
Information Sciences and Technology for Telecommunications, Minor
Journalism, Minor
Media Studies, Minor
Sports Journalism, Certificate
Global Media, Certificate

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