Pennsylvania State University Online Programs | World Campus Review

Penn State launched World Campus in 1998 to make online degree programs accessible to students outside the reach of physical campuses.

Today, Penn State World Campus specializes in serving adult students, partner companies, and the military.

Most importantly, its goal is to encourage inquiry and active learning, helping students acquire knowledge to solve problems, make decisions, and define values around real-world problems that apply to their work environment and community.

Indeed, Penn State World Campus is one of the best online platforms that offer several programs.

See what we mean from this full review about Penn State World Campus online programs.

Penn State World Campus is Penn State’s centralized online delivery unit that works with academic units and universities to deliver more than 150 online undergraduate and graduate programs and certificates for distance learners.

These online programs are taught by the same faculty that teaches at Penn State University Colleges.

So, you can choose from a wide range of subjects at all program levels and start earning your Penn State degree or certificate online.

While some of the programs they offer are internal, they work with Penn State’s world-class faculty to develop unique programs that provide rich educational opportunities to online students.

This article gives detailed information about Penn State Online Programs at World Campus.

The table of content below will help you navigate this article.

Does Penn State Offer Online Degrees?

Yes, Penn State World Campus offers more than 150 accredited degrees, college degrees, certificates, and minors.

These online programs are taught by the same faculty that teaches at Penn State University College.

This means your degree or certificate is the same that our students receive on campus.

So, you can choose from a wide range of subjects at all program levels and start earning your Penn State degree or certificate online.

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About Pennsylvania State University World Campus

Penn State World Campus is the second-largest campus in the Pennsylvania State University system with more than 20,000 students.

With more than 125 years of experience in distance education, Penn State launched World Campus in 1998, giving students the opportunity to graduate from Penn State completely online.

Its mission is to bring the Penn State educational experience to anyone, anytime, with an emphasis on convenience, flexibility, and quality in the delivery of accredited degrees and certificates online.

It achieves this through the following ways:

• Penn State World Campus offers quality, accessible online education Penn State to meet the needs of individuals seeking a higher education beyond the traditional campus experience.
• Partnership with Penn State academic units and universities enables Penn State World Campus to offer more than 150 degree and certificate programs developed and taught by Penn State faculty.

Today, you can choose from more than 150 programs.

Their teams work closely with the Penn State college and faculty departments at the universities to develop and offer high-quality online programs to students who choose not to attend a physical Penn State campus due to factors geographic or life.

Penn State’s World Campus plays a central role in fulfilling President Eric Barron’s six imperatives for college:

Interestingly, Penn Staters who graduate online develop unique ways of understanding, experiencing, and applying their education that often leads to success and career advancement.

Is Penn State Online a Good School?

Penn State World Campus has provided quality education online since 1998, advancing new knowledge, contributing to research, and enabling creative expression no matter where its students are.

As an innovative leader in online learning, Penn State World Campus creates opportunities for students to become strongly involved throughout their educational experience.

Access to an adaptable curriculum, renowned faculty, a global student body, research opportunities, and the world’s largest alumni network enables its students to thrive in an online environment.

When World Campus opened in 1998, taking online college courses and earning a degree were relatively new concepts.

Today there are countless sources where you can earn your degree online.

So what makes the Penn State World Campus different?

#1. It’s a Nationally Recognized University

Penn State World Campus is Penn State’s online campus.

It is a nationally recognized institution with the largest alumni network in the country.

Following a tradition of quality since 1855, a Penn State degree means something.

#2. Academically Rigorous

Penn State World Campus online programs are the same as the Penn State offer on campus.

Therefore, their degree will not be different from those obtained by students on its physical campus.

This will not differentiate the delivery method or indicate that your degree was obtained online.

#3. Has Accredited Programs

The Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Many of its individual programs have additional accreditations through governing bodies in these particular fields of study.

#4. Possess Career-Enhancing Programs

Penn State World Campus possesses great career enhancement online programs.

You can choose from over 150 of the most in-demand degree and certificate programs in education, business, engineering, technology, healthcare, and more.

According to a Wall Street Journal poll, Penn State was ranked the number one institution in the country.

Basically, for producing the best-prepared and well-rounded graduates who can succeed when hired.

Whichever program you select, you will find:

• A career-oriented program based on the latest industry trends
• Courses taught by highly respected professors, experts in their field
• A committed and diverse peer network

#5. Has a High Online Delivery Experience

Since 1892, students like you have been able to complete a Penn State education without going to a physical campus.

Over the years, distance education options have evolved to include technology-enhanced learning experiences.

As a pioneer in online learning, Penn State has significant experience in teaching and understanding the needs of distance learners.

You will experience courses that are:

• Designed around best practices for online delivery
• Taught by teachers with experience teaching in an online environment
• Created using technology to support learning outcomes, not just for convenience

#6. It’s a Fully Supported Education

When you think about online education, it may feel like you’re alone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Penn State World Campus’s team of professional advisors and technical support is the foundation of your success.

You will have access to student support services through World Campus, just like its students on campus.

#7. Has an Exceptional Student Services

Penn State World Campus students have access to a full range of services, including:

• New student orientation
• Teaching tips
• Career guidance resources
• A nationally recognized research library
• Technical support
• Tutorials

Whether you take classes online or in a traditional classroom, you are a “Penn Stater”.

#8. Has an Excellent Alumni Body

Enrolling at Penn State World Campus means you can:

• Be part of an institution with more than 150 years of teaching, research, and service.
• Join a global learning community of exceptional adult learners from all 50 states, more than 60 countries, and 7 continents.
• Be part of a proud global network of over 700,000 alumni and choose to join the largest alumni association in the world with over 174,000 members.

Penn State World Campus Reviews

See the testimonials of lives and stories of hard-working adult learners earning their degrees online through Penn State World Campus.

“Being able to work with Penn State World Campus and find not only a degree program I was interested in but knowing that I had that flexibility made it work perfectly for us.” – Carrie Tilley (Dalton, Massachusetts)

“While attending Penn State World Campus, I could live at home and work for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, where I was an intern at first, but now I’m a full-time employee.” – Lauren Fillebrown (Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management)

“Penn State World Campus enabled me to achieve my dreams by allowing me to continue my education while working full-time and having a work-life balance with my friends and family.” – Sabrina Beckman (Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources and Employment Relations)

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Penn State University World Campus Ranking

According to US News Ranking, Penn State World Campus ranked:

Penn State University World Campus Location

The Penn State World Campus is located at 128 Outreach Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States

Contact Detail

U.S. Toll-Free: 800-252-3592
Local/International: 814-865-5403
Email: worldcampus@psu.edu
Fax: 814-865-3290

How Online Learning Works at the Penn State World Campus

What’s it like to learn online at Penn State World Campus?

Penn State World Campus classes are asynchronous, so you don’t have to attend classes online at a specific time.

You can complete many of our study programs at your own pace.

Here, students use a combination of self-study and peer interaction through an online learning network to facilitate teaching.

You’ll complete weekly assignments, readings, discussions, occasional group work, and tests. And participate in other activities designed to improve learning outcomes, all at a time that best suits your needs.

As an online student, you will interact with people from different backgrounds and situations, allowing you to discover many perspectives and concepts throughout your studies.

Using multiple communication methods such as chat, video conferencing, email, social media, discussion forums, etc., you will stay connected with your fellow students and teachers, creating personal networks along the way.

All Penn State online programs and courses are developed by teachers and learning designers who understand the specific needs of learners in an online environment.

Particular attention is paid to pre-planning and setting expectations in the online classroom. So each program is described in a schedule distributed at the beginning of the course.

This document provides an overview of the course assignments, grading strategy, student and teacher expectations, and course material, as well as an understanding of the course objectives and learning outcomes.

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Penn State World Campus Acceptance Rate

Admissions are fairly competitive as the Penn State Online acceptance rate is 54%.

Especially for its master’s programs.

Generally, the Penn State World Campus master’s acceptance rate is 24%.

Pennsylvania State University World Campus Programs

Penn State World Campus offers more than 150 accredited degrees, college degrees, certificates, and minors.

These online programs are taught by the same faculty that teaches at Penn State University Colleges.

Penn State launched World Campus in 1998 to make online degree programs accessible to students outside the reach of our physical campuses.

Today, Penn State World Campus specializes in serving adult students, partner companies, and the military.

Read Also: Free Online Engineering Courses With Certificates

Associate Degrees Online

Penn State World Campus offers several online associate degrees that can prepare you for a new career or continuing education.

Whether your goals are personally or professionally motivated, an associate degree from Penn State can put them within reach.

Associate degrees can even be a gateway to bachelor’s degrees offered online through the Penn State World Campus or at another institution.

Check the list for available associate degrees at Penn State World Campus.

Bachelor’s Degrees Online

Penn State’s online bachelor’s programs are designed to set you up for success regardless of your industry or path.

Hence, you can set yourself apart with a respected and recognized bachelor’s degree from Penn State World Campus.

Choose from an accredited online bachelor’s and bachelor’s degree that complements your career interests and goals, from traditional liberal arts to technical majors.

Check the list of programs to find out which one is right for you.

• Accounting
• Agribusiness Management
• Biobehavioral Health
• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
• Digital Journalism and Media
• Digital Multimedia Design
• Economics (Bachelor of Arts)
• Economics (Bachelor of Science)
• Energy and Sustainability Policy
• Energy and Sustainability Policy
• Finance
• Health Policy and Administration
• History
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Information Sciences and Technology
• Integrated Social Sciences
• International Politics
• Labor and Human Resources (B.Arts & B.Sc)
• Law and Society
• Letters, Arts, and Sciences
• Marketing
• Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Organizational and Professional Communication (B.Arts & B.Sc)
• Organizational Leadership (B.Arts & B.Sc)
• Political Science (B.Arts & B.Sc)
• Psychology (B.Arts & B.Sc)
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management – Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management Option
• Security and Risk Analysis
• Software Engineering
• Strategic Communications
• Turfgrass Science

Undergraduate Certificates Online

Penn State World Campus has many certificates online to help you achieve your career goals.

Penn State’s undergraduate certificate online programs are designed to be a convenient way to take a few online courses that interest you or start an online degree program at World Campus.

Start today to build professional skills with an undergraduate certificate from Penn State World Campus.

Here is the list of certificates currently offered at Penn State World Campus:

• Adult Development and Aging Services
• Children, Youth, and Family Services
• Digital Arts
• Diversity Studies
• Earth Sustainability
• Enterprise Resource Planning Certificate with SAP
• Financial Planning
• Fundraising and Advancement
• Information Sciences and Technology
• Labor and Human Resources
• Nursing Forensics
• Nursing Informatics
• Organizational Communication
• Nursing Management
• Security and Risk Analysis
• Turfgrass Management, Advanced
• Turfgrass Management, Basic
• Weather Forecasting

Undergraduate Minors Online

Upgrade your Bachelor’s degree at Penn State World Campus by adding an online minor in a related topic.

Earning a minor allows you to gain specialized knowledge that complements your major, pursue a personal interest, or explore a different field of study.

See the list of undergraduate minors currently available online.

• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Dispute Management and Resolution
• Earth And Sustainability
• Economics
• Energy Business and Finance
• English
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Geography
• History
• Homeland Security
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Information Sciences and Technology
• Labor and Human Resources
• Media Studies
• Organizational Leadership
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Security and Risk Analysis
• Sociology

Master’s Degrees Online

Penn State World Campus offers online master’s degrees to help you advance your career.

Earning a respected and accredited online master’s degree from Penn State, and a nationally recognized institution can benefit your career and career advancement.

Through Penn State’s online master’s programs, you can learn from Penn State’s world-class graduate faculty and study with other career-oriented students from a variety of backgrounds.

Explore their graduate degree options to see what programs they currently offer online.

• Accounting
• Additive Manufacturing and Design
• Applied Demography
• Applied Statistics
• Business Administration – MBA
• Community and Economic Development
• Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
• Data Analytics
• Data Analytics – Business & Marketing Analytics Option
• Ecosystem Management and Administration
• Educational Leadership
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Management
• Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation
• Finance
• Geodesign
• Geographic Information Systems – GIS
• Health Policy and Administration
• Higher Education
• Homeland Security Base Program
• Master of Professional Studies, Public Health Preparedness Option
• Human Resources and Employment Relations
• Industrial Engineering
• Learning, Design, and Technology
• Lifelong Learning and Adult Education
• Marketing Analytics and Insights
• Mechanical Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
• Master of Engineering
• Nursing
• Nutritional Sciences
• Organization Development and Change
• Project Management
• Psychology of Leadership
• Public Administration
• Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems
• Software Engineering
• Spatial Data Science
• Special Education
• Strategic Communications
• Strategic Management and Executive Leadership
• Supply Chain Management
• Systems Engineering
• Taxation
• Turfgrass Management

Doctoral Degrees Online

Penn State World Campus offers you the opportunity for advanced study with the option of taking online courses in a doctoral-level program.

Earning a Ph.D. from Penn State, a nationally recognized institution can benefit your career and advancement as you work to become a leader in your field.

Penn State World Campus currently offers an online Ph.D. program in Nursing Practice, which is;

• Nursing – Doctor of Nursing Practice

Graduate Certificates Online

Penn State World Campus offers more than 50 college-level certificates.

Online graduate and postgraduate certificates reflect Penn State’s highly successful residency programs and are taught by the same experienced faculty.

By earning a Penn State Certificate online through a convenient and flexible program, you can advance your career opportunities.

Review the list of available programs to get started.

• Accounting
• Accounting Foundations
• Additive Manufacturing and Design
• Adult Basic Education
• Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Applied Demography
• Business Analytics
• Applied Statistics
• Business Architecture
• Business Management Foundations
• Children’s Literature
• Business Sustainability Strategy
• Community and Economic Development
• Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Counterterrorism
• Cyber Threat Analytics and Prevention
• Distance Education
• E-Learning Design
• Ecosystem Measurements and Data Analysis
• Educating Individuals with Autisme
• Educational Technology Integration
• Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management
• Enterprise Architecture
• Enterprise Information and Security Technology Architecture
• Family Literacy
• Geodesign
• Geographic Information Systems – GIS
• Global Justice and Security
• Homeland Security
• Geospatial Programming and Web Map Development
• Hospital and Health System Preparedness
• Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics
• Information Systems Cybersecurity
• Institutional Research
• International Human Resources and Employment Relations
• Leadership and Communication Skills for Ecosystem Managers
• Management Consulting
• Geospatial Intelligence Applications
• Marketing Analytics
• Negotiation and Influence
• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Educator
• Geospatial Intelligence Analytics
• Organization Development and Change Consulting Skills
• Organization Development and Change Essentials
• Principalship
• Organization Development and Change Operational Excellence
• Project Management
• Public Budgeting and Financial Management
• Public Health Preparedness
• Remote Sensing and Earth Observation
• Public Sector Human Resources Management
• Sensory and Consumer Science
• Solar Energy
• Strategic Leadership
• Supply Chain Management
• Sustainability Management and Policy
• Taxation
• Teacher Leadership
• Teaching and Learning Online in K–12 Settings
• Weather and Climate Analytics
• Wind Energy

Graduate Minors Online

You can enhance your master’s degree at Penn State World Campus by adding an online specialization in a supplemental subject.

Obtaining a specialization allows you to enhance your professional skills and experience, explore an entirely different field of study, or gain specialized knowledge that will enrich your specialty.

The Penn State World Campus currently offers an online minor graduate. See below

• Engineering Leadership and Innovation Management

Penn State World Campus Admissions | Penn State Online Programs

The first step in earning a Penn State degree or certificate is completing the online application.

If you are a returning military or international student or have transfer credits, you may have additional considerations when applying.

How to Apply for Penn State Online Programs

Please note that admission and application requirements vary by program.

Use the tool to learn more about the application process for graduate and undergraduate programs.

Returning Students

If you were previously enrolled at one of the Penn State campuses, you may be able to use your Penn State credits toward a World Campus degree program.

There are several routes you can take to return to school, depending on your situation.

If you are a returning student with an academic warning or returning from academic suspension or termination, you will need to follow different procedures.

You must submit your re-enrollment form and academic action plan (if necessary) four weeks prior to the start of the return semester.

How Do I Get Started?

To re-register, you will need to find the return route that best suits your situation and present the necessary documents.

You must contact World Campus Academic Counseling six to eight weeks before the semester in which you wish to return. It may take some time to review your situation and plan your next steps.

Once you have identified your return route, you will need to submit the required forms. Student return forms must be turned in at least two weeks before the start of each semester.

This includes re-enrollment, adult student reentry, and academic renewal forms, depending on the path you take to return to Penn State.

The admission office will help you find the right way back based on your answers to the following questions:

• Were you enrolled in a degree program at Penn State?
• If so, were you enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program?
• What was your last GPA before leaving your studies?

Once your return path has been identified, remember to submit your undergraduate re-enrollment or non-compliant enrollment form.

If you plan to pursue undergraduate studies and you already know which form on this page to submit, you can simply fill it out and email it to registrar@worldcampus.psu.edu.

To return to a graduate program, learn more about graduate options.

Re-enrollment

Re-enrollment allows former students seeking a degree who were absent from school to resume their studies. To be eligible for re-registration, you must:

• has left the university in good condition
• has had a GPA of 2.00 or higher in their last semester at Penn State *
• meet the admission requirements for the specialty of your planned study program, if applicable
• A re-enrollment fee of $20 is required. These fees will be billed to your student account if your re-enrollment is approved. You do not need to provide payment information with your re-enrollment form.

Download Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form

*If you had a GPA below 2.00, please complete the Academic Counseling Contact Form to discuss your options.

Adult Learner Re-entry

The reintegration of adult students allows mature students to return to their previous study program. To be eligible for adult student re-enrollment, you must:

• have been absent from the university for less than three years.
• meet re-enrollment requirements
• qualify as an adult student
• plan to return to the same major and campus in which you were previously enrolled

A re-enrollment fee is not required if you meet all of the above criteria.

Download Returning Adult Learner Form

Academic Renewal

Academic renewal offers former students the opportunity to resume their academic careers without being penalized for their academic background.

To be eligible for academic renewal, you must:

• have been out of Penn State for four years or more
• had a cumulative GPA less than 2.00

Complete the Academic Advising Contact Form prior to completing an Academic Renewal Form.

Download Academic Renewal Form

Nondegree Enrollment

New and non-undergraduate students will be required to submit an undergraduate registration form.

If you are an undergraduate non-graduate student, you will be given an access account and will enroll in courses after your non-graduate registration form is processed.

If you were previously enrolled and dropped out due to a bad scholarship, please fill out the school board contact form to discuss your options.

Download Undergraduate Nondegree Enrollment Form

Check the academic calendar for upcoming undergraduate enrollment deadlines.

Graduate Student Return

To return to Penn State as a World Campus graduate student, you must apply for and be accepted by the academic department and graduate school.

Download Graduate School Resume Study Form

Please contact a Graduate School representative if you have any questions about resuming your graduate studies.

Transfer Students

Transfer Credit and World Campus

Many Penn State World Campus students have prior learning credits.

You do not need to be transferred directly from another program of study to be considered a transfer student.

Whether you come from an ongoing program, have credits earned in the last academic year, or it has been several years since you participated in your studies, your admission will be treated as a transfer student.

Please read the following information carefully to understand World Campus policies regarding credit transfer.

Transfer Credit Requirements

Prospective college students can transfer credits from college-level work completed at a regionally accredited institution.

There is no limit to the number of credits you can transfer to Penn State. However, not all transferred credits may count toward the planned curriculum.

The college department you enroll in will have the final say on the credit that can be accepted for your degree.

The Penn State Credit Transfer Tool, a handy step-by-step tool, can help you determine roughly how much of your previous credit can be transferred but cannot determine which credits will apply to the program you choose.

In addition, you must earn a minimum amount of Penn State credits to graduate from World Campus:

• To earn an associate degree, 18 of the last 30 credits you earn toward your degree must be from Penn State.
• To earn a bachelor’s degree, 36 of the last 60 credits you earn toward graduation must be from Penn State.

Find more information about transferring credits.

International Students

The Penn State World Campus network spans the globe, with students and alumni from all seven continents, including Antarctica.

This means that your education at Penn State will be recognized around the world.

If you are an international student, please review the information below to determine what documentation you will need to apply.

If you have any additional questions after reviewing the information, please contact us.

See every detail about international students’ requirements and application.Click Here

How Much Does Penn State World Campus Tuition Cost?

Your Penn State World Campus tuition fees are calculated at a cost per credit rate based on the:

• The program you choose,
• Number of credits you are signing up for, and
• The total number of credits you have accumulated or transferred to Penn State.

In addition to the cost per credit, students are responsible for the costs of the course materials.

During your studies, you may also incur fees if you require transcripts, credit by exam, and exam proctors.

Tuition fees are due shortly after the start of each semester.

To calculate your tuition fees, use the tool to estimate the costs of registering for a specific program.

The enrollment estimator will generate a result based on the most recent enrollment rates for the academic year.

Calculate Your Tuition

Does Penn State World Campus Offer Scholarships?

Knowing the financial commitment required to secure their education, Penn State World Campus offers a number of scholarships to their students.

All World Campus scholarship applicants must:

• Have a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file
• Be admitted to the Penn State World Campus

For a list of available scholarships, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the Scholarships for Current Students page.

Federal Student Aid

Full-time and part-time students seeking a degree at Penn State World Campus are eligible for Federal Student Aid.

Even if you are not sure if you would qualify for federal assistance, we encourage you to apply and find out.

The application will also ensure that you can be considered for college scholarships and other sources of aid that are only available to students with a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

To apply for financial aid, you must submit the (FAFSA).

Is Penn State World Campus Legit?

The best way to understand Penn State World Campus is to observe our students.

They are leaders in organizations, workplaces, and the military.

They manage the daily commitments and responsibilities of adults, balancing work, family, and education.

Each of its students brings a wealth of unique life experiences and professional qualifications to their educational experience.

Hence, enriching the learning environment not only for themselves but also for their peers in their classes.

As World Campus graduates, these Penn Staters leverage the full set of skills learned during their online training, fueling exceptional work and community service.

Penn State World Campus Website

To get more information about Penn State World campus online programs, click the button below.

Visit School

Conclusion

For over 20 years, Penn State World campus develop online programs so that they mirror the same quality content you have always expected from a Penn State degree.

See what Penn State stands for, the admission requirements, how to apply, and what you stand to gain from taking an online program with them.

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