Penn State World Campus Computer Science Programs
Pennsylvania State University World Campus appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Information Systems Security Degrees Online (Bachelor’s).
There are seven programs at Penn State World Campus that offer degrees in the areas of computer science, programming, and cybersecurity. Program options include the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, the Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations, and the Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Information Systems Cybersecurity.
Also available are the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering and the Master of Software Engineering, as well as the Undergraduate Certificate in Information Sciences and Technology and the Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology. Each program offers benefits for students with varying career goals where there is a need for knowledge of computers and related systems.
For the university’s programs in cybersecurity and analytics, some of the courses students may take include Computer Systems Literacy, Cyber Incident Handling and Response, and Introduction to Application Development. Other classes include Organization of Data, Networking, and Telecommunications, and Intermediate & Object-Oriented Application Development.
Students who choose one of the information sciences and technology programs will take classes like Introduction to Programming, Introduction to Application Development, and Information, People, & Technology. Additional courses include Information & Organizations, Foundations of Human-Centered Design, and Elementary Statistics.
Degree-seekers who choose one of the software engineering degrees will cover topics like probability & statistics, object-oriented methodology, software validation and verification, and computer networks. Classes that are required in the software engineering programs include Operating Systems, Intermediate Programming, Experimental Chemistry, Database Management Systems, and Communication Networks.
One of the interesting facets of the degree programs at Penn State World Campus is the opportunity to focus on a specific area for the degree’s elective requirements. For example, the cybersecurity program features application focus areas of health care, economics, law & policy, or a custom application focus of the student’s personal choice. Each degree program also has a selection of required general courses.
After graduation, software engineering degree holders may secure jobs like those of video game designer, computer systems administrator, or computer systems analyst. Information science students may pursue jobs in information technology in the industries of health care, government, financial services, education, and many other areas.
About Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus is the online division of Pennsylvania State University. More than 14,000 students are enrolled in distance learning classes at the institution, which has its administrative offices in University Park, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State University first started offering distance education classes in 1892 as correspondence programs for farmers working around the state.
The university would create its online division in 1998 to provide modern distance learning through the internet and other modern means. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, a well as certificates. Students may also pursue minors through online study.
Penn State World Campus Accreditation Details
Penn State World Campus is regionally accredited by one of the six agencies in the United States that are tasked with institutional accreditation of universities and colleges across the country. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Many degrees are also accredited by programmatic agencies.
For example, the Bachelor of Science in Accounting is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The nursing programs at Penn State World Campus are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and they’re also approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Penn State World Campus Application Requirements
To enroll for classes at Penn State World Campus, students must be accepted to Penn State initially and then gain successful acceptance to the program of their choice. For undergraduate programs, students must have a high school diploma and be a high school graduate or have earned a GED. Some programs will offer students access to the university’s general curriculum but then require students to qualify for full admission to their chosen major by taking certain classes.
For most programs, students must earn a grade of C or better in all classes required for full admission status. There are additional requirements for students interested in transferring into programs with previously-earned college credits. For example, the undergraduate accounting program requires that students have at least 27.1 credits already earned. During the application process, students will also submit a self-reported academic record with official transcripts being sent only after an offer of admission has been made.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates for undergraduate students at Penn State World Campus are based on how many credits a student has already earned, as well as the number of credits the student has enrolled in for the semester. Students that have earned 59 or fewer credits will pay a per-credit rate of $576 for one through 11 credits. Enrolling in 12 or more credits results in flat-rate tuition of $6,994.
Students who have earned at least 60 credits will pay a per-credit rate of $617 for one through 11 credits. Enrollment in 12 or more credits means flat-rate tuition of $7,549. Graduate students will pay a per-credit rate based on the program in which they enroll. For example, the Master of Professional Accounting degree is $951 per credit for one to 12 credits. Students who enroll in at least 12 credits will pay a flat rate of $11,312 per semester.
Applicants who enroll in degree programs at Penn State World Campus at half-time status or greater may qualify for federal student aid. The school suggests that all students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) even if they don’t think they’ll qualify for any financial aid. Submission of a FAFSA may mean a student will be given a scholarship even if they’re not offered federal aid.
The Penn State Office of Student Aid Grants will examine all FAFSA submissions to see who qualifies for aid. Students interested in scholarships should submit an additional online scholarship application. FAFSA applications are available as early as the beginning of October, and students who want to qualify for scholarships at Penn State World Campus should submit their scholarship applications by March 31.
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