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Credits and costs

18 Credits$632/$678 per credit

Enhance Your Penn State Degree

Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.

With its focus on building an understanding of core information technologies and related areas of study, the Minor in Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is an excellent complement to your chosen major. It was designed to prepare you for the practical application of information sciences and related technologies.

This minor can also help you gain the theoretical frameworks and skill sets necessary to compete and be productive in the information technology–intensive global context that defines the new "Information Age."

Whether they surf the Internet, engage in social media, or shop online, people are connected by technology, and no matter what degree program you're in, an understanding of information technologies can improve your marketability and career prospects and provide you with a greater level of flexibility to plan your career path.

The 18-credit program includes courses covering organization of data, networking and telecommunications, and an introduction to information, people, and technology. You can choose additional courses from a variety of offerings, including IT project management, new media, and the web, as well as emerging issues and technology.

The IST minor — open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites — could be a beneficial addition to almost any major.

To successfully complete the program, you must take at least 6 credits at the 400 level and receive a grade of C or above in all of the IST courses.

Prescribed Courses (9 credits)

3
credits
The use, analysis, and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises.
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Introduction to the concept of databases, including the storage, manipulation, evaluation, and display of data, and related issues.
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Introduction to digital network topologies, transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security.
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

Additional Courses (select 9 credits)

Select 3 credits from

3
credits
A first course in concepts and skills for application development.
Prerequisite
C or better in MATH 21 or placement above the level of MATH 21 in the mathematics placement test.
Recommend preparation
MATH 22
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Introduction to how the World Wide Web utilizes emerging technologies. Students acquire a conceptual understanding of constructing websites.
Prerequisite
IST 110 or concurrent enrollment
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Overview of organizational structures and functions. Includes information processing and analytic perspectives of organizations.
Prerequisite
IST 210 and IST 220
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Exploration and application of the basic concepts, methodologies, and tools of project management in the field of information sciences and technology.
Prerequisite
IST 210 and IST 220
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

Select 6 credits from

3
credits
Introduction to emerging issues, technology forecasting, and analysis; overview of emerging issues and leading technologies in IST and how they impact information systems, users, the IT labor force, and society.
Prerequisite
IST 210 or IST 220
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Legal environment of information technology, constitutional/political issues, intellectual property, management, e-commerce, privacy, access, computer contracting, cyberspace regulation.
Prerequisite
IST 301 or SRA 231
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3
credits
Exploration of legal, regulatory, public policy, and ethical issues related to security and privacy for information technology professionals in public institutions, private enterprise, and IT services.
Prerequisite
IST 432
C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.

Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?	If you have 59 or fewer credits	If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer	$632 per credit	$678 per credit
12–19	$7,678 per semester	$8,288 per semester

2025–26 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2025, spring 2026, and summer 2026 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester?	If you have 59 or fewer credits	If you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer	$638 per credit	$685 per credit
12–19	$7,755 per semester	$8,371 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Additional Cost of Attendance Details

To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:

visit the Tuition Information site
click the plus sign to expand the table
select a semester from the World Campus row

Upcoming Events

December3,2024December3,2024Military Student Experience Webinar8:00p.m.(EST)8:30p.m.(EST)

January9,2025January9,2025Military Student Experience Webinar7:00p.m.(EST)7:30p.m.(EST)

January16,2025January16,2025Your Guide to Academic Success8:00p.m.(EST)9:00p.m.(EST)

January23,2025January23,2025Virtual Open House (Afternoon Session)Noon(EST)2:00p.m.(EST)

January23,2025January23,2025Virtual Open House (Evening Session)6:00p.m.(EST)8:00p.m.(EST)

January28,2025January28,2025How Online Learning Works8:00p.m.(EST)9:00p.m.(EST)

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

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You must be a current student and meet specific requirements to apply for a minor.

Application Instructions

Steps to Apply

To be eligible for admittance into the information sciences and technology minor, you must:
be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
confirm that the minor code and major code do not match (for example, a student with an ISTBS major cannot apply for a minor in IST)
Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements. You should add the minor as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
Add the minor in LionPATH
You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.

Admissions Help

Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.

Customer service representative wearing a headset

Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Minor in Information Sciences and Technology, offered in partnership with the College of Information Sciences and Technology, please contact:

World Campus Advisers
Phone: 814-863-3283
[email protected]

Undergraduate Minor inInformation Sciences and Technology

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Credits and costs

Enhance Your Penn State Degree

Gain Specialized Information Sciences and Technology Knowledge