Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
This program offers comprehensive exploration of core philosophical questions that all individuals inevitably face. The curriculum covers ethical principles, sociopolitical thought, and aesthetics—examining concepts like virtuous living, fairness, and artistic appreciation. It also addresses metaphysics, consciousness studies, and theological philosophy—investigating existence, the mind-body connection, and life's purpose. Additional components include epistemology, scientific philosophy, and logical systems—analyzing understanding, factual accuracy, impartiality, and valid argumentation. The coursework extends to cross-cultural philosophies, gender studies, and applied philosophy in fields like technology, linguistics, education, and professional sectors including legal practice, commerce, healthcare, media, technical fields, and agribusiness. Such studies develop creative, interpretive, evaluative, and expressive skills. Students consequently gain cognitive tools essential for personal growth, civic engagement, and professional achievement across diverse fields such as jurisprudence, corporate leadership, academic instruction, media, healthcare, and government.
The majority of Penn State’s applications come from traditional, first-year students. The following types of students are considered first-year applicants (or freshman applicants, as some refer to them): Current high school student in his or her senior year; Student who has earned a high school diploma or a GED and has no post-secondary coursework; Student who has attempted 17 or fewer credits (semester hours) of college coursework at a regionally accredited college/university before attending Penn State; Current high school student who may have enrolled in another institution(s) before graduating from high school (dual enrollment); Student who may have attended Penn State on a nondegree basis.
English Language Proficiency
The following are ways in which you can satisfy the language proficiency requirement: TOEFL: A minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the old paper exam and a minimum of 20 in each section of the new paper exam (code #2660); IELTS: A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test.