Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

What is the history of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Penn State Harrisburg began in 1966 as Penn State's Capitol Campus, established primarily to serve upper-division and graduate students in the Harrisburg region. It later expanded into a four-year campus, adding the option to begin a bachelor's degree there as a first-year student.

The campus occupies part of the former Olmsted Air Force Base in Middletown. Its history helps explain its present mix of traditional undergraduates, transfer students and graduate students, as well as its ties to Pennsylvania's capital region. Penn State Harrisburg is part of The Pennsylvania State University - not a separate university with an unrelated degree system.

What are the faculties and departments at Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Penn State Harrisburg organizes its academic programs into five schools: Behavioral Sciences and Education; Business Administration; Humanities; Public Affairs; and Science, Engineering, and Technology. It offers undergraduate and graduate study, with options for students entering as first-years or transferring after college coursework.

The range includes business, engineering, computer and information sciences, education, communications, humanities, public policy and criminal justice. Some fields have professional requirements beyond the general degree requirements, so applicants should check the current Penn State catalog and the requirements for their intended major. A student considering a professional license, for example, needs to examine the specific program's approval and placement requirements rather than relying on the campus's general accreditation.

What is the location of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Penn State Harrisburg is in Middletown, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg rather than in the city of Harrisburg itself. The location gives students access to the state-capital area while placing the campus in a smaller-community setting.

State agencies, regional employers and community organizations may be relevant to internships or coursework, depending on a student's field. Commuting is also central to campus life: institutional figures indicate that about 83% of students commute. Prospective commuters should check their likely travel time, parking arrangements and class schedule together, especially if they expect to take evening classes or work between courses. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus, subject to applicable parking rules.

What is the mission and vision of Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg?

Penn State Harrisburg's stated role is to provide undergraduate and graduate education, scholarship and public service as part of Penn State. Its academic breadth and location in the capital region shape that mission: it serves students pursuing a full degree at Harrisburg as well as students whose studies connect to regional institutions and communities.

Those are institutional priorities, not measures of an individual student's experience. Applicants can assess how well they fit by looking at the curriculum and course availability in their major, opportunities for faculty-supervised work, and the practical access they would have to campus services.