Getting Started
To determine your starting point, ask yourself the following:
- What do I want to study?
- How do I want to study? classroom or online, day, evening, or weekends?
- Which Penn State campus do I want to attend?
Your answers will determine your next steps in the enrollment process. These steps include:
obtaining the appropriate application form
evaluation of prior credits you have acquired
finding an academic adviser
course scheduling
applying for financial aid
locating support services
One of the most important parts of this process is connecting with a Penn State staff member to discuss your plans, whether your goal is a single course, beginning or continuing an undergraduate degree or certificate program, or enrollment in a graduate program.
Step 1: What do I want to study?
If you've already decided on your major and the degree you plan to earn, as well as the Penn State campus you want to attend, proceed to the What are the Next Steps? section. If you're unsure of what degree options are right for your needs, you can explore the comprehensive list of associate and baccalaureate majors or complete listing of graduate programs.
Taking courses as a nondegree student
If you want to take courses but you're not pursuing a degree at this time, you can go to http://schedule.psu.edu and view the schedule of courses at your campus for the semester you plan to attend.
Step 2: How do I want to study? On campus, online, during the day, in the evening, or on weekends?
Some campuses offer courses during the day and evening; others offer weekend and accelerated course schedules. (There are courses for certain majors, however, that cannot be taken through flexible scheduling.) Penn State's World Campus delivers online courses for certificate and degree programs. Because each Penn State campus is different, you should talk with someone in the office that oversees adult enrollment at the campus you plan to attend. He or she can explain how courses are scheduled — and how to make Penn State work for you.
Step 3: Which Penn State campus do I want to attend?
Penn State is found all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! With more than twenty campuses from which to choose, there's a good chance that there is a campus close to where you live or work.
