Your Penn State degree
Academic Colleges and World Campus Degrees
One of the easiest ways to understand how Penn State is put together is to think of it like a file cabinet. Within that cabinet are folders, each one representing an academic college. And within each academic college folder are the majors. The degree and major you choose will be part of an academic college; your degree will be conferred by that college. The World Campus delivers the courses on behalf of the academic college. The Majors by Campus from the Admissions website (Links to an external site.) matches each major to its academic college.
The Structure of a Penn State Degree
Associate degree programs through World Campus require that you successfully complete a minimum of 60 to 61 credits; all of our bachelor's degree programs require that you successfully complete a minimum of 120 to 123 credits to earn the degree.
Penn State degrees all have specific components that you must complete. They are General Education, major requirements, and, in many cases, elective courses. If you're working toward a bachelor of arts degree, you'll also complete specific requirements for that degree type, which we will look at in a moment.
General Education, which we'll refer to as “Gen Ed,” provides the foundation for your education and ultimately will help you broaden your perspectives and develop the communication, problem-solving, and intercultural skills you need. You will learn more about Gen Ed requirements for your specific program on the next page. Right now, it is important to know that your Gen Eds are made up of both Foundation and Knowledge Domain courses.
Foundations
As the name suggests, Foundations area courses provide the groundwork for your later academic work. They focus on writing, speaking, and mathematics. Since these courses are so important to your continued success, you'll need to earn a C or higher in these areas. Following are abbreviations for and descriptions of these courses.
Writing and Speaking (GWS)
In Writing and Speaking (GWS) courses, you'll do more than improve your ability to communicate information clearly. You'll learn to set forth arguments persuasively and well, both orally and in writing. You should emerge from your GWS courses as a more accomplished writer and speaker, competent in a wide variety of settings.
Quantification (GQ)
In Quantification (GQ) fields, you'll practice and master basic mathematical and statistical skills that will be of lifelong value in solving real-world problems. You'll learn to apply mathematical skills appropriate to solve such problems.
Knowledge Domains
Arts (GA)
In Arts fields (GA), your focus will be on exploring or creating works of art. You'll become familiar with the importance of significant creative works, the traditions and history associated with those works, and the important role that the arts play as expressions of the cultural values of society and the human condition.
Humanities (GH)
In Humanities (GH) fields, you'll focus on exploring important works of literature, history, religion, philosophy, and other closely related forms of cultural expression, thereby broadening your understanding of diverse ways of seeing, thinking about, and experiencing the self and society. You'll enlarge your intellectual horizons and knowledge of the world through encountering humanistic representations of both lived experiences and imaginative or speculative constructions, past or present, becoming increasingly prepared to live as thoughtfully engaged members of multiple communities, whether local, regional, or global.
Natural Sciences (GN)
In Natural Science (GN) fields, you will develop the skills necessary to make informed judgments about scientific information and arguments. Along with building knowledge of foundational scientific principles, you will expand your understanding of how and why science works, why it is an effective tool for knowledge generation, and how it can address contemporary questions and challenges.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS)
In Social and Behavioral Science (GS) fields, you'll focus on analyzing the forces that influence behaviors, values, habits, attitudes, and institutions. GS courses allow you to explore the multiple perspectives and methodologies useful in analyzing and addressing complex social issues.
Health and Wellness (GHW)
In Health and Wellness (GHW) fields, you will focus on the physical and psychosocial well-being of individuals and communities. You will expand your theoretical and practical knowledge about health and wellness—concepts that are multidimensional and culturally defined. You will have the opportunity to study such diverse topics as nutrition; physical activity; stress; sleep; healthy leisure; alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use; sexual health, and safety—all useful in maintaining lifelong health and wellness and in creating healthy work and community environments.