Penn State BEHRENDOFFICE OF ADULT LEARNER SERVICES

behrend.psu.edu/adult

Penn State Behrend realizes that the idea of starting college (or returning to finish your degree) can be overwhelming.That’s why our Office of Adult Learner Services works exclusively with students who already have multiple demands placed on their time, attention, and resources.

WHO IS AN ADULT LEARNER?Adult learners are:

Age 24 or olderVeterans of the armed forces or active-duty service membersFour or more years out of high schoolJuggling multiple responsibilities to a spouse/partner,

children, or employer

WHAT CAN I STUDY?The short answer: Everything! Every Penn State Behrend degree program, minor, and certificate is open to the adult learner. Office of Adult Learner Services staff can help you build class schedules that work around your professional and family obligations.

The college is continually adding new programs; visit behrend.psu.edu/academics to see the most up-to-date list.

Even if your schedule limits you to evening or online classes, you can earn one of three two-year associate degrees, four four-year bachelor’s degrees, or five certificates. They are:

A.S. in General BusinessA.A. in Letters, Arts, and SciencesA.ENGT. in Mechanical Engineering TechnologyB.A. in General Arts and SciencesB.S. in Finance (online)B.S. in Project and Supply Chain ManagementB.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology

CertificatesBusinessElectrical Engineering Technology (online)Enterprise Resource Planning (online)Financial Planning (online)Mechanical Engineering Technology

Find additional online program options at worldcampus.psu.edu.

ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AIDAdult learners have many admissions options: If you’d like to take a few classes for enrichment or professional advance-ment, or aren’t sure if you’re ready to commit to pursuing a degree, you can apply for nondegree status. If you attended Penn State previously, you can apply for re-enrollment. If you need to brush up on your math or writing skills before applying, our Academic Transitions Program can help, free of charge. The Office of Adult Learner Services is your one-stop resource for admissions review and academic counseling.

Your Office of Adult Learner Services counselor and the Of-fice of Financial Aid will help you navigate the application processes for state and federal grants, scholarships, tax cred-its, employer reimbursements, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding, and veterans’ benefits that may be available to you. (Additional good news: Adult students in degree-seeking status are automatically considered for all Penn State Behrend scholar-ships.)

Penn State Behrend’s current tuition can be found at tuition.psu.edu.

Penn State Behrend’s Early Learning Center is NAEYC accredited. You may be eligible for a state child-care subsidy; the Office of Adult Learner Services can help you apply for funding.

RESOURCES FOR ADULT LEARNERSYou’ll have full access to all of Penn State Behrend’s rich resources and support services. Those most commonly used by adult learners include the:

Academic and Career Planning Center behrend.psu.edu/acpcEarly Learning Center (child care) behrend.psu.edu/elcEducational Equity and Diversity Programs behrend.psu.edu/equityDisability Services behrend.psu.edu/disabilityJunker Center (athletics and fitness) behrend.psu.edu/athleticsLearning Resource Center (tutoring) behrend.psu.edu/lrcPersonal Counseling behrend.psu.edu/counselingVeterans Office behrend.psu.edu/veterans

FOR MORE INFORMATIONFor detailed information about services available to the adult learner, or to make an appointment to meet with a counselor, contact:

Office of Adult Learner Services814-898-6700BehrendAdultCtr@psu.edubehrend.psu.edu/adults

Metzgar Admissions and Alumni Center4701 College DriveErie, PA 16563

Political Science major Mauricio Cortes, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, presented his internship research on Latin American strategic intelligence to a vice chairman of the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cortes’ minor is International Studies.

Going to college was never not an option

for me. I simply waited for the right time. At 25, with three kids and my husband working a stable job, there was an opportunity.Behrend’s smaller campus really allowed for personal interaction with the faculty. I could just stop by a professor’s office with my questions. That has not changed, since I still sometimes use Behrend’s labs to characterize chemicals for my job at LORD.

MELANIE KNOWLTON ’09B.S. CHEMISTRYSENIOR CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGISTLORD CORPORATION

This publication is available in alternative media upon request.Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to provid-ing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html U.Ed. EBO 16-118

When I was a kid, I hated going to school, so going to college was not in the cards. My work is physically demanding, and I realized that when I

am sixty I will still need to work, but will not be capable of throwing a power sander around.Even when I hated school, science was the one subject I did like, so nursing was a no-brainer choice for me. My choice of college had several factors, but of all the schools we have in the area, nothing travels better than a Penn State degree. I’ll be able to find a good job anywhere I want to live.Getting up the nerve to go back was difficult, because I had always heard that college is basically independent study and that professors only present information, leaving it up to you to learn it. But nothing has been further from the truth at Behrend. During my first semester, I found myself struggling with a class. I went to see the professor, and he wouldn’t let me leave his office until I understood the material. The Office of Adult Learner Services has been awesome in answering all of my administrative and scheduling questions. Anytime I’ve been there with a troubling issue, I’ve left feeling relieved.

JACK BRITTONNURSING MAJOROWNER, JACK BRITTON MARINE DETAILING