Penn State Altoona: Imagine Your Future

YOUR FUTURE IMAGINE

We’ve got your back. And your future. TOP 100 WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY CENTER

MAJORS

Accounting

Biology

Business Communications

Creative Writing

Criminal Justice

Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations

Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

English Environmental Studies

History

Human Development and Family Studies

Information Technology

Kinesiology

Mechanical Engineering

Multidisciplinary Studies

Nursing Psychology

Rail Transportation Engineering

Security and Risk Analysis

Visual Art Studies PLUS THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF STUDY FOR NEARLY ALL OF PENN STATE’S 275+ MAJORS

MINORS

Biology

Chemistry

Communications

Criminal Justice

Dance Studies

Engineering Leadership Development

English

Entrepreneurship

Environmental Studies

Global Language and Culture

History

Human Development and Family Studies

Mathematics

Mathematics Applications

Political Science

Professional Writing

Psychology

Sociology

Spanish

Vocal Studies

Women’s Studies

ASSOCIATE DEGREES

Business Administration

Criminal Justice

Human Development and Family Studies

Multidisciplinary Studies

Science

OTHER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Study Away Programs

New Student Orientation

Honors Program

Internships

Research

Sheetz Fellows Program

Start your education at Penn State Altoona! Choose to stay here and complete one of our 21 degree programs or begin one of Penn State’s 275+ degrees and complete it at another Penn State campus.

Make friends. Make memories. Make an impact. Make your mark.

With more than 60 student clubs, organizations, sports and recreational activities, and a variety of leadership and service opportunities, Penn State Altoona has something for nearly every interest!

From the Ski and Snowboard Club to D6 Gaming and the faith-based groups, honors societies, arts and music organizations, and activism groups, you’ll find your fit at Penn State Altoona. And if you think of something we don’t have – starting your own club is easy!

There are also hundreds of events and activities to attend throughout the year sponsored by various campus organizations such as movies, speakers, arts and crafts, carnivals, literature readings, art galleries, concerts, and more.

Make the most of your time at college by getting involved! Meet people with similar interests, get experience that complements your classroom learning, and make some great, lifelong memories!

9,000+ STUDENT VOLUNTEER HOURS CONTRIBUTED ANNUALLY

60+ CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS & HONORS SOCIETIES

15 NCAA DIVISION III ATHLETIC TEAMS + 13 CLUB TEAMS & INTRAMURALS

Engaged scholarship.

What’s that?

ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP

- Internships

- Undergraduate Research

- Volunteer Work

- Study Away

- Community-based Studies

Engaged scholarship is the idea that out-of-classroom academic experiences complement in-class learning.

175+ INTERNSHIPS

COMPLETED BY PENN STATE ALTOONA STUDENTS ANNUALLY

At Penn State Altoona, we work hard to make sure you have access to a wide variety of engaged scholarship activities such as study away programs (domestic and international), academic internships/ clinical work, research/creative activities, and community-based studies.

By taking education outside of the traditional classroom, you open yourself to a whole new world of learning, critical thinking, and global engagement.

Internship Opportunities Undergraduate Research

Internships are one of the best ways to prepare for the workforce you’re about to enter.

An internship will give you hands-on work experience, a chance to explore career paths, develop job-specific skills, and give you an edge in the job market—all opportunities that go beyond classroom learning.

Penn State Altoona has a full-time internship coordinator who works with students, faculty, and community organizations and businesses to facilitate these valuable internship opportunities.

INTERNSHIP OPTIONS

Exploratory internships

Available to third and fourth year students, these courses allow students to explore academic and career paths in a practical setting.

Capstone internships

Often the culminating experience in a student’s major, an internship “caps” his or her college degree. These upper-division courses allow students to apply classroom knowledge while gaining real-world work experience and building new skills.

Internship preparation

These courses help students research internship possibilities and come up with learning objectives. They also allow students to practice techniques for critical observation and analysis in the work place environment.

Undergraduate research is a big deal, and here at Penn State Altoona, you have the ability to take part as early as your first year—an opportunity you won’t find at just any college or university.

No matter what your major is, you can work one-on-one with faculty in various research and creative activities across all disciplines. Participating in research will also give you the chance to team with fellow students on short or long-term projects and interact with faculty at other campuses, visiting scholars, and graduate/postdoctoral students.

You will be encouraged to showcase your work at the annual Penn State Altoona Research and Creative Activities Fair, as well as the University-wide Undergraduate Exhibition, among other events. In addition to these internal venues, you may have the opportunity to present at regional, national, and international conferences. You may even become a co-author on refereed journal articles.

$180,000

SPENT ANNUALLY ON STIPENDS AND TRAVEL TO SUPPORT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY

Study Away Community-based Studies

300 PENN STATE STUDY AWAY PROGRAMS

The study away program allows you to travel domestically and internationally to learn in exciting new social and cultural environments.

Penn State Altoona offers a broad range of study away options for you, including fullyear, semester, summer, and short-term programs. There are direct enrollment, exchange, and faculty-led programs, all designed to enrich your collegiate studies and personal growth.

Students who take part in this program consistently describe them as powerful, positive, and life-changing experiences.

The United Kingdom

Ireland

France

Spain

Italy

Germany

Australia

Brazil

Nicaragua

Costa Rica

The Dominican Republic

New Zealand

Russia

China

Japan

North Korea

Singapore

Jordan

Israel

Turkey

South Africa

Greece

Mexico

Canada

We know that making a difference in the community is important to many of our students. That’s why we established the Center for Community-based Studies (CCBS) at Penn State Altoona.

Through course-embedded group projects or independent, faculty-guided research, students can work with community organizations to identify and implement solutions to real-world issues and problems.

Projects have included: designing a social media strategy to build community identity; creating an interpretive mobile app for hikers and bikers visiting a section of Rail-to-Trails; and creating “story maps” for Hollidaysburg’s Canal Basin Park.

In 2017, CCBS was one of five Penn State campus recipients of a three-year PepsiCo grant to adapt and expand Penn State’s Sustainable Communities Collaborative model of community-engaged scholarship statewide. This new “community of practice” has increased access to project ideas and expertise to be applied locally in focus areas such as sustainable food systems, active lifestyle infrastructure, youth disengagement, and heritage and the arts.

A smart investment yields a good return.

And a good return is what you will get by choosing Penn State Altoona.

The investment made in tuition helps you receive the education you need to find a career you love.

Employers hire our graduates because they trust a Penn State education.

In fact, the Wall Street Journal named Penn State as the number one overall institution in the nation for producing the bestprepared and well-rounded graduates. In addition, Penn State is the No. 2 school in the country for graduating CEOs, according to a LinkedIn study of 12,000 CEO members.

FINANCIAL AID

We’re happy to help you explore financial options when deciding how to fund college costs. We work with you on the best ways to use personal savings, tuition savings plans, student employment, Penn State’s payment plan, student financial aid, or a combination of these options to pay for your college education. Contact the Office of Student Aid at 814-949-5055 or email stuaidaltoona@psu.edu to speak with a financial aid counselor.

PENN STATE ALTOONA SCHOLARSHIPS

Penn State Altoona offers several scholarships that do not need to be repaid to help ease your financial burden. Once you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are automatically considered for scholarships as part of your application to the University. Most scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need. The FAFSA will become available October 1 and Penn State’s recommended filing date for the FAFSA is December 1.

The average scholarship award for Penn State Altoona students is $4,500.

Detailed information about scholarships and other forms of financial aid is available at altoona.psu.edu/stuaid.

$55M+ IN FINANCIAL AID HAS BEEN AWARDED TO OUR CURRENT STUDENTS

~85%

OF OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

$51M+ AWARDED IN GRANTS, FEDERAL WORK-STUDY, LOANS, AND PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS

889

STUDENTS IN ON-CAMPUS HOUSING + MORE OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING LOCALLY

Our four on-campus residence halls offer everything you need for a comfortable, convenient living experience at Penn State Altoona.

Each hall provides 24-hour card access, a computer lab, study lounges, cable access, and laundry facilities.

Maple Hall and Oak Hall are traditional residence halls for first-year students – perfect for getting to know your hallmates and making friends. Maple has double bedrooms and a large common bathroom for each wing. Oak has double bedrooms and a suite of single-use bathrooms that each include a toilet and shower, all in the same area on the wing. Spruce Hall and Cedar Hall offer two-bedroom suites with a semiprivate bathroom for four students.

STUDENT DISABILITY RESOURCES & EMERGENCY AND AFTER HOURS CARE AVAILABLE

Our Residence Life Program will help you connect with fellow residents, student mentors, and professional staff through educational programming, community building activities and events, and personal contact. Residence Assistants (RAs) live within the halls and will have frequent and direct communication with you. RAs are trained to respond to problems you may have such as roommate conflicts, homesickness, and more.

Students living on-campus must sign up for one of our meal plan options. Meal plans also are available to students living off-campus.

The off-campus housing website at altoona.psu.edu/off-campusliving provides helpful information about living off-campus, including paying for living expenses and a link to a private website listing student housing in the Altoona area. Many student-housing options are within walking distance to campus.

PRIVATELY OWNED STUDENT HOUSING OPTIONS AVAILABLE

NOTE: Residence hall spaces for first-year students are available on a first-come, first-served basis. First-year students are not required to live on campus.

Your home away from home.

We’ve got what you’re craving.

From Port-Sky Café, to Coasters, the Dining Car Downtown, and Common Grounds convenience store, there is always a location nearby to satisfy your hunger.

PORT-SKY CAFÉ

Our full-service food court includes grab ‘n’ go items, snacks, and beverages, plus nine different stations:

• All Fired Up - brick oven pizza, Paninis, and Italian specialties

• Chef’s Table - hot home-style entrées

• Lean & Green - chopped salads

• Alternatives - special dietary needs and options including gluten-free, soy-based, low sugar, and fat-free items

• On A Roll - fresh deli sandwiches and homemade soups

• Flippin’ - traditional American grill offerings

• Sunrise Sunset - breakfast until 2:00 p.m. and chef demos for dinner

• Jump Start - cereal, pastries, and bagel bar

• Shake, Bake, and Brew - Penn State Bakery items, Starbucks® beverages, and Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream

COMMON GROUNDS CONVENIENCE STORE

Located in the Slep Student Center, Common Grounds offers items such as bottled beverages, snacks, dairy products, frozen foods, school supplies, and health and beauty products. A selection of freshly prepared grab ‘n’ go sandwiches, salads, coffee, and pastries is also available.

COASTERS COFFEE BAR

Pick up a Starbucks® coffee or a quick dessert, beverage, or snack on the way to class at Coasters, conveniently located in the Hawthorn Building.

DINING CAR DOWNTOWN

The Dining Car Downtown, located in the Aaron Building on Penn State Altoona’s downtown campus, offers an array of Starbucks® coffees, as well as desserts, sandwiches, snacks, and beverages.

MEAL PLANS

Whether you live on campus or commute, Penn State Altoona offers several meal plans for you. Those living on campus must sign up for a meal plan.

You may also add money at any time to your account in the form of LionCash+. LionCash+ is an online, prepaid flexible account than can be used for on-campus purchases (including food and bookstore items); simply swipe your ID+ card and go! In addition, some restaurants and businesses in the Altoona area also accept LionCash+.

for

We offer more than a dozen NCAA Division III varsity sports teams plus club sports, intramurals, and recreational activities. Make friends, learn something new, and compete against other universities with Penn State Altoona’s athletics program.

ADLER ATHLETIC COMPLEX

As a student, you will have access to the state-of-theart Alder Athletic Complex to meet all of your health and fitness goals, including the two-floor Reliance Bank Fitness Center, featuring cardio and weight training equipment. The facility also has a 2,200 seat gymnasium; spinning room; multi-purpose work-out room; locker rooms; an athletic training office; and a two-floor kinesiology wing comprised of six classrooms, four research laboratories, and seven offices to support our kinesiology major. In addition, the facility is home to intramural sports, club sports, fitness classes, and other forms of recreational activities.

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

If it’s competition you want, Penn State Altoona has 15 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams. The Lions and Lady Lions are NCAA Division III and are members of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC).

Men’s sports are baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Women’s sports are basketball, bowling, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

Penn State Altoona varsity sports teams have combined to win 24 AMCC championships and have earned berths into 12 NCAA Tournaments.

Additionally, Penn State Altoona teams have been invited to compete in 34 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) postseason tournaments and have won four ECAC championships.

Whether you’re a die-hard competitor or just like to have fun playing sports, Penn State Altoona has plenty of opportunities

you to get in the game.

COME AND GO AS YOU PLEASE

With just a swipe of your Penn State ID, unlock all the amenities Adler Athletic Complex has to offer.

CLUB SPORTS

If you’re just looking for some fun, check out our club sport organizations! Club sports are student-run with the support of the Department of Recreation and the Center for Student and Civic Engagement.

Club sports meet regularly for practices, clinics, seminars, and social activities, and may compete in regional and national conferences and championships.

Penn State Altoona offers a wide variety of club sports, including ice hockey, outdoor adventure, ski/snowboard, ultimate Frisbee, men’s lacrosse, equestrian club, cheerleading, running club, men’s rugby, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

INTRAMURALS

Intramurals allow you to participate in your favorite sport and compete against other teams or individuals within the University in a friendly, structured environment. Leagues include basketball, soccer, flag football, softball, volleyball, racquetball, and dodgeball. In some cases, teams that compete and win championships may qualify to compete in tournaments against other Pennsylvania colleges or universities.

STRENGTH & FITNESS

At Penn State Altoona, you have everything you need to stay in shape and maintain healthy exercise habits.

STRETCH YOUR MIND AND BODY

Our yoga, Zumba, and group circuit training classes are open to all students and offer a great way to let your mind recharge when you’re not hitting the books!

The Reliance Bank Fitness Center includes 3,472 square feet of strength and cardio apparatus, such as weight equipment, treadmills, eco-powered ellipticals, cycles, trainers, and both Stairmaster and StarTrac climbers. A spinning room features Stages SC3 Indoor Cycles.

Fitness classes such as spinning, Zumba, yoga, and group circuit training are available along with activities and classes in our natatorium!

GYM THERAPY

Our fitness center is 3,472 square feet of pure strength and cardio equipment.

JOIN THE CLUB

Our club sports offer lots of options for letting off steam while having fun!

SUPPORT OUR NCAA DIVISION III TEAMS Penn State team spirit is second to none and it’s no different at Penn State Altoona. We are!

JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT If you like friendly competition, intramural sports are a great way to stay active and meet friends who share your interests.

MAKE A SPLASH WITH FRIENDS

Our natatorium (where the pool is housed) is state-of-the-art and open to all students (when the swim team is resting!).

GO GREEN

And our ECO-POWR Sports Art ellipticals convert your energy into reusable energy!

Our dedicated spinning room features Stages SC3 Indoor Cycles and lots of them!

Expansion & innovation.

Penn State Altoona’s downtown campus is located just three miles from the Ivyside campus and is easily accessible via a free bus shuttle or bike path.

It includes six locations that house academic programs with labs and classrooms, along with other offices and facilities.

1 AARON BUILDING

This five-story building includes the Dining Car Downtown, classrooms, faculty offices, our Communications degree program suite, and our state-of-the-art Nursing simulation lab.

1 DEVORRIS DOWNTOWN CENTER

Opened in 1999 as Penn State Altoona’s first downtown location, the Devorris Downtown Center has both classroom and conference facilities as well as a large theatre used for college and public events.

1 PENN BUILDING

The Penn Building includes classrooms, labs, offices, and student lounges in support of the Accounting, Business, Cyber Security, Information Technology, Rail Transportation Engineering, and Security and Risk Analysis degree programs.

2 SHEETZ CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE

Commonly referred to as SCEE, this building includes a minitrade show room, business incubator space, classrooms, and conference rooms. It also serves as home to the college’s Sheetz Fellows program. Rossman Park, a beautiful community area to study, eat, or relax, is adjacent.

HOME TO THE NATION’S FIRST AND ONLY

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN RAIL TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

3 KAZMAIER FAMILY BUILDING

The Kazmaier Family Building is home to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, responsible for managing programs, events, and initiatives that contribute to the advancement of the college through fundraising and alumni relations.

4 ALTOONA LAUNCHBOX

SUPPORTED BY THE HITE FAMILY

The Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite family is a no-cost startup accelerator and co-working space that provides earlystage business startups with the support and resources needed to build a successful venture. It is open to community members and those affiliated with Penn State. The Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite family is a signature program of the Invent Penn State initiative, which helps spur economic development, job creation, and student career success.

75 START-UPS ADVISED THROUGH LAUNCHBOX

VISIT PENN STATE ALTOONA BEFORE APPLYING TO PENN STATE AND

Application Fee WE’LL WAIVE THE APPLICATION FEE!

To schedule a visit, register at altoona.psu.edu/visit.