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Certificate ProgramsPenn State colleges currently offer a variety of credit certificates. Credit certificates offer a unique opportunity to gain introductory level skills and knowledge related to a specific career field, or to further develop skills and knowledge related to one’s current career. The number of credits required to earn a certificate varies. Some require 12 credits (4 courses) while others require up to 30 credits (10 courses). These are the same courses that are required in Penn State’s associate and baccalaureate degree majors. A credit certificate may serve as a stand-alone educational program. Some students find that the knowledge and skills learned through certificate requirements meet their educational and/or career needs. Others use a credit certificate to explore potential choices for a major, or as the basis for a "step-up" program, completing additional courses for an advanced certificate or associate degree. Some students, particularly in the liberal arts, use one or two certificates to provide a focus to their program. An important point to remember is that you do not need to select a specific certificate before you enroll. Many of the certificates have one or two common course requirements, such as psychology, sociology, or English composition. You have the flexibility to review the requirements for a number of certificates, enroll in one or two common courses to begin, then choose a specific certificate later. You do not need to be admitted as a degree candidate to earn a credit certificate. You can schedule classes as a "nondegree" student, an enrollment category for individuals taking courses for their own personal enrichment. However, nondegree students register on a space-available basis so many students pursuing a certificate apply for degree status to take advantage of an earlier registration time and better course selection. A high school diploma or GED is all that you need to begin. You can schedule on a part-time or full-time basis, day or evening classes. Most courses are available through classroom instruction or Independent Learning (correspondence). Independent Learning (IL)offers the flexibility to study when your personal schedule provides the time, and some IL courses include video or cassette lectures with the course materials. Our experience shows that the students who are most successful with IL courses are those who are very well organized, disciplined and self-motivated. An academic advisor can help you decide whether IL courses are the right "fit" for you. A few of the certificate programs, as noted below, offer the required courses only through classroom instruction during the day or evening. Criminal Justice–18 creditsNationwide, criminal justice (CJ) is a labor-intensive growth industry. According to Pennsylvania Workforce 2000, legal services and protective services will provide many career opportunities in the future for people with an education in criminal justice. The CJ certificate will help students prepare for immediate career opportunities in criminal justice. The following 3-credit courses (unless marked) must be completed to receive a certificate. Foundation Courses (take all):
Professional Courses (select one):
Electives (select one):
Advanced Criminal Justice– 12 creditsFoundation Courses (take all):
Professional Core (select the two not taken):
Business– 18 creditsPenn State's basic business certificate provides students with a solid foundation in management, marketing, and written English. It also provides students with a reasonable flexible way to deepen their understanding of management and management-related disciplines. Students who have completed the basic business certificate are eligible to earn the advanced business certificate. Prescribed Courses (take all):
Additional Courses (select at least 9 credits):
Advanced Business—15 creditsPenn State's advanced business certificate can help develop students' skills in spoken communication and quantification. In a very flexible way, students can explore functional fields of business. Students who complete the advanced business certificate will have completed almost half of the credits required for Penn State Altoona's Associate Degree In Business (2BAAL). Prescribed Courses (6 credits):
Advanced Courses (select at least 9 additional credits):
Labor Relations and Industrial Studies—12 creditsThis program will help you prepare for leadership positions with unions, employers, and government. The courses focus on the many issues that influence the employee-employer relationship. Take courses on a range of subjects, including employment law, collective bargaining, and workplace diversity. Apply the credits earned in this program toward the Bachelor of Arts degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences or the Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. This certificate is offered through the College of Liberal Arts. Required Courses:
Additional Courses (select 6 credits):
Chemical Dependency Prevention and Counseling– 18 creditsThe Chemical Dependency Prevention and Counseling certificate consists of 18 credits. The certificate introduces students to basic concepts related to chemical dependency, its prevention and treatment, and helping those with problems associated with chemical dependency. Students are required to have completed a minimum of 60 college credits, or have permission from their advisor to take the 400-level courses. Foundation (Core) Courses (6 credits)
Prevention Courses (3 credits)
Counseling Core Courses (9 credits) - select 3:
* indicates required course. Information Systems Security—18 creditsRegardless of its size, any organization using computers must be aware of potential security threats and take proper actions. The demand for information systems security is greater than ever. Is your company prepared?
This 18-credit certificate program will help you develop proficiency in each of the following areas:
Prescribed Course (12 credits):
* M I S 103 and M I S 204 can be substituted for IST 110 Additional courses (select six credits):
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