Many students and prospective students often ask how Penn State World Campus compares to THE Penn State. Well, they are the same!
This is the real Penn State. You are taking the same classes with the same curriculum developed by the same professors who teach courses at our brick-and-mortar campuses. You can expect the same caliber of academic quality that you associate with Penn State. And Penn State World Campus courses are just as rigorous as those in our on-campus programs. In addition, when you graduate with a World Campus degree, there is no indication on your diploma that you took your classes online. You will receive the same Penn State diploma that all of our graduates receive.
Penn State is regionally accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The credits you earn with Penn State’s online programs will be identical to those received on any Penn State campus. Many of our individual programs also have accreditations through governing bodies in those particular fields of study.
Graduation
As a World Campus student, you are encouraged to walk in a graduation ceremony upon completion of your degree. There is also a graduation celebration for World Campus students held at the University Park campus at the end of each semester. (Check out some of our past Graduation Celebration photos on Flickr.) Graduates of World Campus become part of a global network of engaged alumni and friends that is more than 700,000 strong! You will join a worldwide network of alumni and can choose to be part of the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world with more than 174,000 members.
We also encourage you to visit any of our campus locations. You can even schedule a tour! There are many iconic sites to see, such as the Nittany Lion Shrine, the Berkey Creamery, and the Arboretum at Penn State University Park in State College, Pennsylvania.
ID Cards
Many students often ask about ID cards. World Campus students receive Penn State student identification cards, which you can use wherever student discounts are available, such as movie theaters, bookstores, and performing arts centers.
Libraries
As a World Campus student, you also have access to the eighth-largest research library collection in North America, which includes millions of books, e-books, maps, CDs, and DVDs. You can also access thousands of journals (many available online and in full text) and hundreds of research databases. You can utilize the online library resources or visit the libraries at any of our physical campus locations throughout Pennsylvania, as well.
Student Organizations
You can participate in several student organizations, such as the Penn State World Campus Chapter of the Blue and White Society, the World Campus Sustainability Club, Active Minds, and the American Association of University Women at Penn State World Campus. As a student, you are also able to start a new club or organization; the World Campus Student Affairs office can guide you through that process.
Academic Excellence
In recognition of academic excellence, selected undergraduate World Campus students are named to the Dean’s List every semester. There are also several honor societies that World Campus students may be invited to participate in, based on their academic performance.
Tickets and Merchandise
As a World Campus student, you can also purchase discounted tickets to athletic events. Would you like to attend a football game wearing a Penn State World Campus t-shirt? World Campus merchandise is available to order online as well!