Graduate Council Curriculum Report The Graduate Council

Transcription

Graduate Council Curriculum Report The Graduate Council
Graduate Council Curriculum Report
The Graduate Council Curriculum Report (GCCR), which includes all graduate program
curricular proposals approved through the Graduate Council curricular review process, is
published 12 times each calendar year.
Questions/comments regarding the GCCR or its contents may be directed to the Director of
Graduate Education Administration.
June 8, 2016
1. Program Change: Business Administration – redesign of the integrated Online MBA
program and change of administrative home to Smeal College (Smeal College of
Business), page 2
2. Program Change: Engineering Science and Mechanics – add a one-year residencebased, non-thesis track to the M.S. degree program (College of Engineering), page 32
3. Program Change: Information Sciences and Technology – change in Ph.D. course
requirements (College of Information Sciences and Technology), page 57
4. Program Change: Information Systems – change pre-program courses, add a track, and
drop current options (Penn State Harrisburg), page 67
5. Program Change: Public Health – create an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG)
degree with the B.S. in Biobehavioral Health and the M.P.H. in Public Health (College of
Medicine), page 82
6. Program Change: Supply Chain Management – change degree requirements (Smeal
College of Business), page 129
Note: Graduate course proposals approved through the Graduate Council curricular review process, as well as
information about postbaccalaureate/graduate credit certificates approved by college/school administrators for
graduate education, are published in the Senate Curriculum Report.
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PROGRAM CHANGE —
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION – REDESIGN OF EXISTING
IMBA PROGRAM DELIVERED ONLINE VIA WORLD CAMPUS
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY — SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
DR. DENNIS P SHEEHAN – VIRGINIA AND LOUIS BENZAK PROFESSOR OF FINANCE,
FACULTY CHAIR IMBA PROGRAM
Contents
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Introduction................................................................................................................................................ 3
A. Program Justification ............................................................................................................................. 3
Pace ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
Specialization ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Scalability .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Faculty Members ...................................................................................................................................... 9
The Graduate Faculty ................................................................................................................................ 9
B. Program Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 9
Learning Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................. 9
Target Market ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Projected Size of the Program ................................................................................................................ 10
Impact on Existing Programs .................................................................................................................. 11
Ability to Offer a Quality Master of Business Administration Program .................................................. 11
C. New Courses ......................................................................................................................................... 11
D. Program Statement.............................................................................................................................. 12
Program Description ............................................................................................................................... 12
Required Courses (48 cr.) .................................................................................................................... 12
Pattern of Course Scheduling for the redesigned iMBA ......................................................................... 13
E. Graduate Bulletin Copy ........................................................................................................................ 17
Business Administration, Master of (MBA) ............................................................................................ 17
Degree Conferred: .................................................................................................................................. 17
The Graduate Faculty -- Penn State Erie, The Behrend College............................................................ 17
The Graduate Faculty -- Penn State Great Valley, School of Graduate Professional Studies .............. 18
The Graduate Faculty -- Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital College ................................................... 19
The Graduate Faculty -- The Smeal College of Business ....................................................................... 20
Admission Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 25
Master's Degree Requirements ............................................................................................................. 25
Other Relevant Information................................................................................................................... 26
Student Aid ............................................................................................................................................. 26
Courses ................................................................................................................................................... 26
G. Accreditation........................................................................................................................................ 27
H. Consultation Responses ....................................................................................................................... 27
E. Appendix: Course descriptions ............................................................................................................. 29
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Introduction
The Penn State iMBA is an online Master of Business Administration program delivered by
World Campus with the participation of four campuses: Penn State Erie, Penn State Great
Valley, Penn State Harrisburg, and Penn State University Park. The iMBA, begun in 2002, has
been a very successful program at Penn State. The iMBA has graduated 944 students in the past
13 years and is currently ranked #7 by US News & World Report for online MBA programs.
The market for MBA graduates has evolved, however, over the last 10-15 years. Potential
students are demanding a program with more flexibility and the ability to customize a program to
their interests. Working collaboratively over the last year, the four campuses have developed and
are proposing a program change that will accommodate the desires of a new set of potential
students. The redesigned program retains the quality goals of the current program but adds
flexibility in course scheduling and an ability to specialize through select concentrations.
A. Program Justification
The current iMBA program has remained essentially unchanged since its introduction in 2002.
The program consists of eight “terms” over two calendar years with students beginning in either
August or January; the curriculum is a “lock-step” set of 19 courses with students entering as a
cohort and completing all courses together. Administratively, the current program is structured
with courses that cross semesters to accommodate the 48 credits in two years. This non-standard
structure has necessitated customized handling of key functions such as course registration,
billing, tuition tables for dropped courses, and disbursement of financial aid.
Beyond these administrative difficulties, there are market-related concerns. One of the trends in
the market is a desire on the part of potential students to have more flexibility. This flexibility
entails both doing a program at a pace they desire and the ability to take elective courses that
allow for focus in specialized areas.
Market research conducted by the Graduate School in Spring 2015 established that there is a
strong demand for such flexibility. This research was done in two parts. Part 1 consisted of
phone interviews with approximately 70 applicants to the iMBA who did not enroll. Part 2
consisted of an online survey of two target populations: 1) approximately 200 U.S. residents who
expressed an interest in obtaining an MBA degree, and 2) approximately 600 international
residents who had expressed a similar interest.
Of particular relevance to the redesign effort were the responses to the questions pertaining to
flexibility, defined in terms of pace of the program and specialized instruction.
Pace
The current iMBA program, because of its lockstep structure, does not offer students options in
terms of time to complete the program. Currently students are limited to a 24-month,
predesigned structure. Regarding this issue, the conclusion of the market research was:
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The majority (approximately 60%) of prospective students prefer having options in
terms of pace of the program.
Specialization
The current iMBA curriculum consists of 19 general management track courses and does not
offer students the ability to individualize their instructional program. Students are limited to the
predefined general management track course list offering no options for specialization.
Regarding this issue, the conclusion of the market research was:
Approximately 70% of prospective students prefer having a choice of specialized courses vs. 30%
of students who prefer having a program in which all the courses are the same for the entire
group.
In terms of preferred concentration, the market is split: Approximately 50% of prospective
students prefer concentrations in a specific area such as leadership or project management; the
remaining 50% of prospective students prefer a general management track curriculum.
Here are the questions and the results from the market research survey:
19. Which emphases below would you like to see in an online MBA program that you might pursue in the
future. Allocate a total of 100 points to the two alternatives below by assigning points to each alternative
representing the emphases that you would like to see in an online MBA program.
Option to select a specialization in one aspect of
management that you choose – finance,
accounting, supply chain, etc.
General business management covering many
aspects of business management
U.S. (n=201)
52%
48%
International
(n=636)
54%
46%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
19d. Which of the following specializations are of
greatest interest to you?
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53%
46%
Leadership
48%
44%
Project Management
39%
35%
Marketing
38%
45%
Business Analytics
32%
35%
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
32%
Finance
29%
Information Technology Management
38%
Human Capital Management
23%
31%
Accounting
23%
30%
U.S. (n=197)
International
(n=629)
19%
26%
Supply Chain Management
Other
41%
1%
1%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Scalability
As noted above, the current iMBA does not respond to the market needs regarding flexibility in
terms of pace or specialization. Additionally, the current iMBA program is not scalable due to
three primary constraints:
1) There are two residencies in the current iMBA program, one in Term 3 and one in Term 8.
Based on the structure of these events, a maximum of 55 students can be accommodated. The
Term 3 residency, a one-week on-site experience, is hosted by a U.S.-based company. Due to
on-site company events, hotel accommodations, and group presentations, the history of the
residency experience proves that both quality and cost suffer with groups exceeding 55
students.
2) Another challenge regarding scalability is finding additional host companies for the Term 3
residencies, as well as the risk involved should a host company cancel at the last minute. It has
become increasingly difficult to find host companies for the Term 3 residencies, and increasing
the number of residencies to accommodate more students would be extremely difficult and
very risky.
3) Finally, the market research showed reluctance on the part of students to do multiple
residencies, further limiting the appeal of the current program.
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The current iMBA is a 48-credit, two (calendar)-year program with the following courses:
Number
of
Credits
Course
Code
Course
Number
IMBA
501
Markets, Industry Analysis, and Business Strategy (3)
3
IMBA
502
Financial and Accounting Tools (3)
3
IMBA
513
Data Analysis Resource Module (2)
2
IMBA
516
Organizational Behavior and Performance (2)
2
IMBA
515
Accounting for External Reporting (2)
2
IMBA
521
Strategic Analysis (2)
2
IMBA
522
Financial Management (2)
2
IMBA
523
Organizational Development, Intervention, and Change (2)
2
IMBA
517
Corporate Governance (2)
2
IMBA
531
Project Management (2)
2
IMBA
543
Accounting for Internal Decision Making (2)
2
IMBA
530
Marketing in a Global Environment (3)
3
IMBA
544
Managing Human Resources (3)
3
IMBA
550
Corporate Information Strategy (3)
3
IMBA
560
Corporate Innovative Strategies (3)
3
IMBA
561
Global Operations and Supply Chain Management (3)
3
IMBA
562
Global Business Management(3)
3
IMBA
573
Strategic Planning (3)
3
IMBA
574
Strategic Financial Decisions (3)
3
Course Name
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The redesigned program will remain a 48-credit, two (calendar)-year program, but will provide
flexibility to students in course selection and timing. In the redesigned program, the 19 current
courses will be replaced by 13 courses that are considered “core” courses, amounting to 39
credits. There will be an additional 9 credits of electives, allowing students to specialize as they
wish.
The 13 “core” courses are newly designed courses. They are:
Number
Title
MBADM 810 Team Performance (3)
MBADM 811 Financial Accounting (3)
MBADM 812 Economics for Managers (3)
MBADM 813 Data Analysis for Decision Making (3)
MBADM 814 Leadership Communications(3)
MBADM 815 Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership (3)
MBADM 816 Managing and Leading People in Organizations (3)
MBADM 820 Financial Management (3)
MBADM 821 Marketing in a Global Environment (3)
MBADM 822 Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets (3)
MBADM 571 Global Strategic Management (3)
MBADM 531 Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3)
MBADM 830 Managing in the Digital Economy (3)
Not surprisingly, there is a strong overlap in course content between the current program and the
redesigned one. The main changes proposed are:
• Courses will now all conform to the standard 3-credit, 15-week University course
calendar.
• There will be three courses (MBADM 811, 812, 813) that it will be possible to waive. A
waiver will not reduce the 48 credits required, but it will allow students to take another
course of their choosing if a course is waived. To waive any of these courses, students
will be required to have substantial background in the subject. Substantial background
will mean extensive knowledge of a subject such as might be gained from possessing a
C.P.A. in Accounting or a Master’s degree in Statistics. The typical student will not have
the necessary background to waive these courses and will be required to take them as part
of the program.
• Following these 13 courses, students will have the ability to choose three courses as
electives. These electives will consist of specialized tracks in areas such as project
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•
management, finance, and supply chain, as well as a general management track for those
who do not wish to specialize. The specialized tracks will take advantage of current
online programs at the four campuses. For instance, Penn State Erie currently offers an
online Master of Project Management; Penn State Harrisburg offers a Master of
Professional Accounting; Penn State Great Valley offers a Master of Finance; and Penn
State Smeal offers a Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management. Future
online programs will offer further choices of specialized tracks to students.
Students will begin the program with a one-week Residency at University Park. The
Residency will include the start of MBADM 810, Team Performance, as an aid in helping
remote teams operate effectively. Roughly half of MBADM 810 will be delivered during
the Residency week, which will be enough instruction to help teams perform better and
help students get accustomed to being back in school. The Residency will also include
technology tutorials, career and academic advising, and workshops on professional
presentations, writing and research, and time management. The Residency will be
instrumental in reducing student attrition from the program.
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Faculty Members
**CVs are available for all faculty
Program Head
Brian H. Cameron, Ph.D. Associate Dean for Professional Master’s Programs and
Clinical Professor of Management Information Systems, Smeal College of
Business
Co-Directors (program oversight and student selection)
Janet Duck, Ph.D., Faculty Director of the online M.B.A. program, Assistant Professor of
Management, Penn State Harrisburg College of Business
Dennis Sheehan, Ph.D., Faculty Director of the Executive M.B.A. program and Faculty
Chair of the online M.B.A. program, Benzak Professor of Finance, Smeal College
of Business
The Graduate Faculty
See Graduate Bulletin copy (included) for listing of graduate faculty from all four campuses
B. Program Objectives
The program objectives for the redesigned iMBA remain the same as the current iMBA’s
objectives: to prepare business managers to become more effective. It does this by exposing
students to the theory and practice of the disciplines that are essential to modern management:
accounting, economics, quantitative methods, ethics, communications, managing people,
finance, marketing, supply chain, strategy, and innovation.
The redesigned program will continue the successful features of the current program of
providing a strong foundation for understanding how businesses operate, integrating knowledge
across functional areas, and providing many opportunities for students to apply their learning to
solving real business problems.
Learning Goals and Objectives
The learning goals of the redesigned program will remain consistent with the current iMBA
program. These goals are:
iMBA Learning Goals and Objectives
Learning Goal 1: Quantitative and Problem Solving
Learning Objective 1.1: Graduates are able to use statistical techniques to analyze and
evaluate business decisions.
Learning Objective 1.2: Graduates are able to appraise and evaluate business
performance using accounting and financial information.
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Learning Goal 2: Communication Skills
Learning Objective 2.1: Graduates are be able to prepare and deliver a professional
presentation about a business problem.
Learning Objective 2.2: Graduates are able to demonstrate effective oral communication
skills.
Learning Objective 2.3: Graduates are able to demonstrate effective electronic
communication skills.
Learning Goal 3: Critical Thinking Skills
Learning Objective 3.1: Graduates are able to objectively identify and prioritize business
problems.
Learning Objective 3.2: Graduates are able to develop alternative solutions to a business
problem.
Learning Objective 3.3: Graduates demonstrate sufficient skills to reason logically and
draw relevant conclusions.
Learning Goal 4: Knowledge of Functional Areas of Business
Learning Objective 4.1: Graduates have knowledge of concepts fundamental to managing
a business.
Learning Goal 5: Cross-Functional Business Understanding
Learning Objective 5.1: Graduates are able to demonstrate the ability to analyze and solve
business problems from multiple functional perspectives.
As they are now, these goals will be assessed by faculty members in particular courses for which
the goal can be assessed. As examples, MBADM 814, Leadership Communications, will be used
to assess the outcomes for Learning Goal 2, and MBADM 571, Global Strategic Management,
will be used to assess the outcomes for Learning Goal 3.
Target Market
The current iMBA program targets beginning and mid-level managers who desire to advance
more rapidly in their careers. The redesigned program will target those same people. By making
the program more flexible, the size of the potential market should grow.
Projected Size of the Program
Historically, the current iMBA has admitted 50-60 students per entry point. With two entry
points per year and two years to complete the program, this has meant 170-190 students overall
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per year. The attrition of entering students has been 15%-20% of the entering cohort. The current
program is unable to grow much beyond these numbers because of its structure. Initially, the
redesigned program will admit students in Fall and Spring with a target of 70 students, 35 in each
section. A year later, the program will also begin admitting students in the Summer semester.
The target will be to grow the program to 350-400 students per year enrolled in the program. The
new program will aim to be to cut attrition in half by using the the one-week Residency at the
start of the program to help students prepare for a rigorous program.
Impact on Existing Programs
All four campuses offer MBA degrees. The current iMBA program does not appear to have
affected enrollments at any of these MBA programs. The redesigned program should similarly
have no effect on enrollments.
Ability to Offer a Quality Master of Business Administration Program
There is no doubt about the ability of the four campuses to offer a quality MBA program online.
They have been doing it very successfully since 2002. The redesigned program will of course
differ from the current program, but not so drastically as to call into question the ability to offer
such a program.
The four campuses currently collaborate to offer the iMBA and will continue to do so to offer the
redesigned program. There will be challenges in starting the redesigned program while still
running the current one. During the time that the two programs overlap, there will be increased
demands on the faculty to offer courses. However, there are almost 200 Graduate Faculty
members across the four campuses, so these transition costs can be accommodated without
problems.
C. New Courses
There are 13 new courses proposed for the redesigned program.
Number
Title
MBADM 810 Team Performance
MBADM 811 Financial Accounting
MBADM 812 Economics for Managers
MBADM 813 Data Analysis for Decision Making
MBADM 814 Leadership Communications
MBADM 815 Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership
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MBADM 816 Managing and Leading People in Organizations
MBADM 820 Financial Management
MBADM 821 Marketing in a Global Environment
MBADM 822 Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets
MBADM 571 Global Strategic Management
MBADM 531 Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MBADM 830 Managing in the Digital Economy
The course descriptions are attached in a separate document.
D. Program Statement
Program Statement (to be included in the graduate student handbook):
Program Description
The Master of Business Administration online program requires a minimum of 48 credits. These
credits must be courses at the 500- or 800-level, with at least 6 credits at the 500 level. The
student will take 39 credits of core required courses and 9 credits of electives. The courses will
be delivered in an online format.
For students with exceptional credentials, MBADM 811, MBADM 812, and MBADM 813 may
be waived. Students must petition the head of the graduate program to obtain a waiver for these
courses, and students’ credentials will be reviewed to assess their eligibility for a waiver.
Obtaining a waiver for MBADM 811, MBADM 812, and MBADM 813 will not reduce the
minimum 48 credits required for the degree. Alternate courses may be substituted for the courses
waived.
The culminating experience for the redesigned iMBA will be MBADM 571, Global Strategic
Management. As the course title implies, MBADM 571 is designed to give students a view of the
whole firm and to help them understand how finance, marketing, and operations collectively
support the strategy and mission of the firm. Students in this course will typically analyze their
own firm to give them a comprehensive understanding of how the firm intends to achieve its
goals.
Required Courses (48 cr.)
There are 39 credits of core required courses and 9 credits of electives, comprised of the
following:
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Number
Title
Credits
MBADM 810
Team Performance
3
MBADM 811
Financial Accounting
3
MBADM 812
Economics for Managers
3
MBADM 813
Data Analysis for Decision Making
3
MBADM 814
Leadership Communications
3
MBADM 815
Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership
3
MBADM 816
Managing and Leading People in Organizations
3
MBADM 820
Financial Management
3
MBADM 821
Marketing in a Global Environment
3
MBADM 822
Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets
3
MBADM 571
Global Strategic Management
3
MBADM 531
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3
MBADM 830
Managing in the Digital Economy
3
Elective
3
Elective
3
Elective
3
Pattern of Course Scheduling for the redesigned iMBA
In this section we show three examples of course scheduling for the core courses, plus three
different elective concentrations which are currently offered online through World Campus.
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The following is an example schedule of classes for a student concentrating in Business
Analytics.
Fall Semester
Number
Title
Credits
MBADM 810
Team Performance
3
MBADM 811
Financial Accounting
3
MBADM 814
Leadership Communications
3
Spring Semester
MBADM 813
Data Analysis for Decision Making
3
MBADM 821
Marketing in a Global Environment
3
Summer Semester
MBADM 820
Financial Management
3
MBADM 822
Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets
3
MBADM 812
Economics for Managers
3
MBADM 816
Managing and Leading People in Organizations
3
BAN 530
Business Strategies for Data Analytics
3
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
MBADM 815
Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership
3
MBADM 571
Global Strategic Management
3
BAN 540
Marketing Analytics
3
Summer Semester
MBADM 531
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3
MBADM 830
Managing in the Digital Economy
3
BAN 550
Prescriptive Analytics for Business
3
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The following is an example schedule of classes for a student concentrating in Finance.
Fall Semester
Number
Title
Credits
MBADM 810
Team Performance
3
MBADM 811
Financial Accounting
3
MBADM 814
Leadership Communications
3
Spring Semester
MBADM 813
Data Analysis for Decision Making
3
MBADM 821
Marketing in a Global Environment
3
Summer Semester
MBADM 820
Financial Management
3
MBADM 822
Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets
3
MBADM 812
Economics for Managers
3
MBADM 816
Managing and Leading People in Organizations
3
BUSAD 528
Mergers and Acquisitions
3
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
MBADM 815
Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership
3
MBADM 571
Global Strategic Management
3
FIN 505
Multinational Managerial Finance
3
Summer Semester
MBADM 531
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3
MBADM 830
Managing in the Digital Economy
3
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FIN 508
Analysis of Financial Markets
3
The following is an example schedule of classes for a student concentrating in Project
Management.
Fall Semester
Number
Title
Credits
MBADM 810
Team Performance
3
MBADM 811
Financial Accounting
3
MBADM 814
Leadership Communications
3
Spring Semester
MBADM 813
Data Analysis for Decision Making
3
MBADM 821
Marketing in a Global Environment
3
Summer Semester
MBADM 820
Financial Management
3
MBADM 822
Managing Supply Chains in Global Markets
3
MBADM 812
Economics for Managers
3
MBADM 816
Managing and Leading People in Organizations
3
MANGT 510
Project Management
3
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
MBADM 815
Ethical and Responsible Business Leadership
3
MBADM 571
Global Strategic Management
3
MANGT 520
Planning and Resource Management
3
Summer Semester
MBADM 531
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3
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MBADM 830
Managing in the Digital Economy
3
MANGT 545
Project Team Leadership
3
E. Graduate Bulletin Copy
Business Administration (MBADM)
Program Home Page (Opens New Window)
Dr. Brian H. Cameron, Associate Dean for Professional Master’s Program
The Smeal College of Business
220S Business Building
814-863-1460
Degree Conferred:
M.B.A.
The Graduate Faculty -- Penn State Erie, The Behrend
College
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Kerry A. Adzima (previously King), Ph.D. (West Virginia University), Assistant
Professor of Economics
Pelin Bicen, Ph.D. (Texas Tech University), Assistant Professor of Marketing
Brian L. Boscaljon, Ph.D. (Texas Tech University), Associate Professor of Finance
Charles A. Brown, Ph.D. (Kent State University), Associate Professor of Accounting
Michael E. Brown, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Assistant Professor of
Management
Ozgun Caliskan-Demirag, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute of Technology), Assistant Professor
of Management
Ashutosh V. Deshmukh, Ph.D. (University Of Memphis), iMBA Program Chair and
Professor of Accounting and Management Information Systems
James F. Fairbank, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Associate Professor of
Management
Michael G. Filbeck, D.B.A. (University of Kentucky), Professor of Finance and Samuel
Patton Black III Chair in Insurance and Risk Management
John L. Fizel, Ph.D. (Michigan State University), Professor of Economics
William H. A. Johnson, Ph.D. (York University), Associate Professor of Management
Kenneth K.T. Louie, Ph.D. (University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign), Associate
Professor of Economics
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Ido Millet, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Professor of Management Information
Systems
Diane H. Parente, Ph.D. (SUNY at Buffalo), Breene Professor of Management
Jeffrey K. Pinto, Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), Professor of Management and Andrew
Morrow and Elizabeth Black Chair in Management Technology
Mary Beth Pinto, Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), Professor of Marketing
Matthew E. Swinarski, Ph.D. (SUNY at Buffalo), Associate Professor of Management
Information Systems
Ray R. Venkataraman, Ph.D. (Illinois Institute Of Technology), Associate Professor of
Management
Ryan M. Vogel, Ph.D. (University Of Georgia), Assistant Professor of Management
Alfred G. Warner, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), Associate Professor of Management
Xin (Jessica) Zhao, Ph.D. (SUNY at Buffalo), Associate Professor of Finance
The Graduate Faculty -- Penn State Great Valley, School of
Graduate Professional Studies
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John C. Cameron, J.D., (Widener) Assistant Professor of Management & Organization
Janice L. Dreachslin, Ph.D. (Wayne State) Professor of Health Policy and Administration
Karen Duhala, Ph.D. (Penn State) Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance
Daniel Indro, Ph.D. (Indiana) Associate Professor of Finance
Pornsit Jiraporn, Ph.D. (Southern Illinois) Associate Professor of Finance
Sang Mook Lee, Ph.D., CFA (Temple) Assistant Professor of Finance
Barrie E. Litzky, Ph.D. (Drexel) Associate Professor of Management and Organization
Bo Ouyang, Ph.D. (University of Texas – Arlington) Assistant Professor of Accounting
Simon J. Pak, Ph.D. (University of California – Berkeley) Associate Professor of Finance
Denise Potosky, Ph.D. (Rutgers) Associate Professor of Management
Qiang (Patrick) Qiang, Ph.D. (Massachusetts – Amherst) Associate Professor of
Operations and Management
Sagnika Sen, Ph.D. (Arizona State) Associate Professor of Management Information
Systems
John J. Sosik, Ph.D., CPA, CMA (SUNY at Binghamton) Professor of Management and
Organization
Eric W. Stein, Ph.D. (Wharton) Associate Professor of Management Science and
Information Systems
Cynthia (Cyndy) Walton, Ph.D. (University of Florida) Assistant Professor of
Management and Organization
Walter Wang, Ph.D. (Louisiana State) Associate Professor of Marketing
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The Graduate Faculty -- Penn State Harrisburg, The Capital
College
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Mohammad Ali, Ph.D. (Rutgers, State University of New Jersey), Assistant Professor of
Management
Thomas Amlie, Ph.D. (University of Maryland College Park), Associate Professor of
Accounting
Ozge Aybat, Ph.D. (City College,City University of New York), Assistant Professor of
Marketing
Nihial Bayraktar, Ph.D. (University of Maryland College Park), Associate Professor of
Economics
Melvin Blumberg, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Professor of Management
Richard S. Brown, Ph.D. (Temple University), Assistant Professor of Management
Qiang Bu, Ph.D. (University Of Massachusetts In Amherst), Associate Professor of
Finance
David L. Buehler, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill), Assistant
Professor of Economics
Thomas Buttross, Ph.D. (University Of Mississippi), Associate Professor of Accounting
Refik Culpan, Ph.D. (New York University), Professor of Management and International
Business
Patrick Cusatis, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Associate Professor of Finance
Janet M. Duck, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Assistant Professor of
Management
Jeffrey R. Foreman, Ph.D. (Georgia State University), Assistant Professor of Marketing
Raymond K. Gibney Jr., Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), Assocaite Professor of
Management
Susan F. Havranek, Ph.D. (Arizona State University), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Indrit Hoxha, Ph.D. (University of Houston), Assistant Professor of Economics
Meng-Hua Hsieh, Ph.D. (University of Washington), Assistant Professor of Marketing
Rhoda Joseph, Ph.D. (Baruch College, City U of N Y), Associate Professor of
Information Systems
Erdener Kaynak, Ph.D. (Cranfield University), Professor of Marketing
William A. Kline, Ph.D. (Temple University), Assistant Professor of Management
Mukund S. Kulkarni, Ph.D. (University of Kentucky), Chancellor; Professor of Finance
Roderick Lee, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Associate Professor of Information
Systems
Bruce H. Lubich, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Assistant Professor of
Accounting
David A. Morand, Ph.D. (Cornell University), Professor of Management
Dinesh Pai, Ph.D. (Rutgers, State University of New Jersey), Assistant Professor of
Supply Chain Management
Parag C. Pendharkar, D.B.A. (Southern Illinois University - Carbondal), Professor of
Information Systems
Robert D. Russell, Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), Assistant Professor of Management
Page 22
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Stephen P. Schappe, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), Director, School of Business
Administration; Associate Professor of Management
Richard Scheib, J.D. (Georgetown University), Instructor of Accounting and Business
Law
Girish H. Subramanian, Ph.D. (Temple University), Professor of Information Systems
Peter F. Swan, Ph.D. (University Of Michigan at Ann Arbor), Associate Professor of
Logistics and Operations Management
Zinaida Taran, Ph.D. (Rutgers, State University of New Jersey), Assistant Professor of
Marketing
Oranee Tawatnuntachai, Ph.D. (University of New Orleans), Associate Professor of
Finance
Premal P. Vora, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Associate Professor of Finance
Sabri Yilmaz, Ph.D. (Southern Illinois University at Carbondal), Instructor in Economics
Richard R. Young, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Professor of Supply Chain
Management
The Graduate Faculty -- The Smeal College of Business
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Aydin Alptekinoglu, Ph.D. (University of California Los Angeles), Associate Professor
of Supply Chain Management
Brent W Ambrose, Ph.D. (University of Georgia), Smeal Professor of Real Estate;
Director, Institute for Real Estate Studies, Professor of Insurance and Real Estate
Orie E. Barron, Ph.D. (University of Oregon), Professor of Accounting and
PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP Research Fellow
Russell R. Barton, Ph.D. (Cornell University), Professor of Supply Chain and
Information Systems, and Industrial Engineering; Co-Director, MMM Degree Program;
Associate Director, CMTOC
Johann Baumgartner, Ph.D. (Stanford University), Professor of Marketing
Lisa Bolton, Ph.D. (University of Florida), Professor of Marketing
Forrest S. Briscoe, Ph.D. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Associate Professor of
Labor Studies and Industrial Relations, and Sociology
Jonathon Bundy, Ph.D. (University of Georgia), Assistant Professor of Management and
Organization
Daniel R. Cahoy, J.D. (Franklin University), Associate Professor of Business Law
Brian H Cameron, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Associate Dean for
Professional Masters, Clinical Professor of Management Information Systems, Smeal
College of Business; Affiliate Faculty of Information Sciences and Technology
Quanwei (Charles) Cao, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), Smeal Chair Professor in Finance
Jennifer Coupland Chang, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Clinical Professor in
Marketing
Francis (Frank) L. Chelko, M.M. (Pennsylvania State University), Instructor of
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Dane M. Christensen, Ph.D. (University of Arizona), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Page 23
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Scott Collins, Ph.D. (Claremont Graduate School and University), Clinical Assistant
Professor of Accounting
Keith J. Crocker, Ph.D. (Carnegie-Mellon University), The William Elliott Professor of
Insurance and Risk Management
Robert P. Crum, D.B.A. (University of Kentucky), Associate Professor of Accounting
Wayne S. DeSarbo, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Smeal Distinguished Chaired
Professor of Marketing
Min Ding, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Smeal Professor of Marketing &
Innovation
Mark W. Dirsmith, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Deloitte & Touche Professor of
Accounting
Kai Du, Ph.D. (Yale University), Assistant Professor of Accounting
D. Lance Ferris, Ph.D. (University Of Waterloo), Associate Professor of Management
and Organization
Laura B. Field, Ph.D. (University Of California Los Angeles), Professor of Finance
Duncan K. Fong H., Ph.D. (Perdue University West Lafatette), Calvin E. and Pamala T.
Zimmerman Endowed Fellow & Professor of Marketing
Raghu Garud, Ph.D. (University Of Minnesota Minneapolis), Alvin H. Clemens
Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies
Fariborz Ghadar, D.B.A. (Harvard University), Director, Center for Global Business
Studies; William A. Schreyer Professor of Global Management, Policies, and Planning
Dennis A. Gioia, Ph.D. (Florida State University), Chair, Department of Management
and Organization; Robert & Judith Auritt Klein Professor of Management
Gary L. Gittings, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Instructor of Supply Chain
Management
Dan Givoly, Ph.D. (New York University), Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting
Guojin Gong, Ph.D. (University Of Iowa), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Jeremiah Green, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Assistant Professor
of Accounting
V. Daniel Guide Jr., Ph.D. (University of Georgia), Professor of Operations and Supply
Chain Management; Charles & Lillien Binder Faculty Fellow
Matthew Gustafson, Ph.D. (University of Rochester), Assistant Professor of Finance
Donald C. Hambrick, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Smeal Chaired Professor of
Management
Terry Paul Harrison, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee at Knoxville), Professor of Supply
Chain and Information Systems; Earl P. Strong Executive Education Professor in
Business
David Haushalter, Ph.D. (Perdue University West Lafayette), Associate Professor of
Finance; Academic Director Smeal Trading Room
John Howell, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), Assistant Professor of Marketing
Jingzhi (Jay) Huang, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Professor of Finance; David H.
McKinley Professor of Business
Zan Huang, Ph.D. (University of Arizona), Assistant Professor of Supply Chain and
Information Systems
Steven J. Huddart, Ph.D. (Yale University), Smeal Chair Professor of Accounting
David J. Huff, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Managements
Page 24
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Stephen E. Humphrey, Ph.D. (Michigan State University), Professor of Management
Peter Iliev, Ph.D. (Brown University), Assistant Professor of Finance
Austin J. Jaffe, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Chair, Department of
Insurance and Real Estate; Philip H. Sieg Professor of Business Administration; Director,
International Programs; Associate Director, Institute for Real Estate Studies
Edward Jenkins, M.S. (Villanova University), Instructor in Accounting
Pranav Jindal, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Marketing
Aparna Joshi, Ph.D. (Rutgers, State University of New Jersey), Professor of Management
and Organization
Eelco Kappe, Ph.D. (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam), Assistant Professor of Marketing
J. Edward Ketz, Ph.D. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State), Associate Professor of
Accounting
Eunice Kim, Ph.D. (Yale University), Assistant Professor of Marketing
Jason Kotter, Ph.D. (University of Michigan at Ann Arbor), Assistant Professor of
Finance
William A. Kracaw, Ph.D. (University of Utah), Chair, Department of Finance; Sykes
Professor of Finance
Glen E. Kreiner, Ph.D. (Arizona State University), Associate Professor of Management
Mirko Kremer, Ph.D. (University Of Mannheim), Assistant Professor of Supply Chain
Management
Akhil Kumar, Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley), Professor of Information
Systems
Alok Kumar, Ph.D. (University Of Wisconsin-Madison), Assistant Professor of
Marketing
Anthony M. Kwasnica, Ph.D. (California Institute Of Technology), Associate Professor
of Business Economics; Laboratory for Economic Management and Auctions
Benjamin Lansford, Ph.D., Clinical Associate Professor and MACC Director
Rick Laux, Ph.D. (Arizona State University), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Anh Le, Ph.D. (New York University), Assistant Professor of Finance
Stephen Lenkey, Ph.D. (Carnegie-Mellon University), Assistant Professor of Finance
Flynt Leverett, Ph.D. (Princeton University), Professor of International Affairs
John Liechty, Ph.D. (Cambridge University), Professor of Marketing and Statistics
Gary L. Lilien, D.E.S. (Columbia University), Distinguished Research Professor of
Management Science; Research Director, Institute for the Study of Business Markets
Dennis K. Lin J., Ph.D. (University Of Wisconsin-Madison), University Distinguished
Professor of Statistics and Supply Chain Management
Henock Louis, Ph.D. (Ohio State University), Associate Professor of Accounting
Razvan Lungeanu, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Assistant Professor in Management
and Organization
Kenneth Lusht, Chair, Department of Insurance and Real Estate; Professor of Business
Administration; Zimmerman Endowed University Fellow
Robert Macy, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship
Vidya Mani, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Assistant Professor of
Supply Chain Management
Meg Meloy, Ph.D. (Cornell University), Professor of Marketing
Page 25
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James A. Miles, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Professor of Finance; Joseph F.
Bradley Fellow of Finance
Vilmos F. Misangyi, Ph.D. (University of Florida), Associate Professor of Management
Karl A. Muller, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Associate Professor
of Accounting and Robert and Sandra Poole Faculty Fellow in Accounting
Chris J. Muscarella, Ph.D. (Perdue University West Lafatette), Professor of Finance;
L.W. "Roy" and Mary Lois Clark Teaching Fellow
Suresh Muthulingam, Ph.D. (University Of California Los Angeles), Assistant Professor
of Supply Chain Management
Giang Nguyen, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Assistant Professor
of Finance
Robert A. Novack, Ph.D. (University of Tennessee at Knoxville), Associate Professor of
Supply Chain Management and Information Systems
Ralph A. Oliva, Ph.D. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Professor of Marketing;
Executive Director, Institute for the Study of Business Markets
Christopher D. Parker, Ph.D. (London Business School), Assistant Professor of Supply
Chain Management
Srikanth Paruchuri, Ph.D. (Columbia University), Associate Professor of Management
and Organization
J. Andrew Petersen, Ph.D. (University of Connecticut), Associate Professor of Marketing
Nicholas C. Petruzzi, Ph.D. (Purdue University Fort Wayne), Professor of Supply Chain
Management
Timothy Pollock, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Farrell Professor
of Entrepreneurship
Lisa L. Posey, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Associate Professor of Business
Administration
Hong Qu, Ph.D. (Carnegie-Mellon University), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Arvind Rangaswamy, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), Jonas H. Anchel Professor of
Marketing
Sajay Samuel, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Clinical Professor of Accounting
Arnold F. Shapiro, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania), Professor of Business
Administration and Robert G. Schwartz University Endowed Fellow
Jeffery M. Sharp, J.D. (University OF Oklahoma), Associate Professor of Business Law
Dennis P. Sheehan, Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley), The Virginia and Louis
Benzak Professor of Finance
Jun Shu, Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley), Assistant Professor of Supply
Chain and Information Systems
Timothy T. Simin, Ph.D. (University of Washington), Associate Professor of Finance
Johanna Slot, Ph.D. (Universiteit Van Tilburg), Assistant Professor of Marketing
Charles Snow, Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley), Professor of Business
Administration; Mellon Foundation Faculty Fellow
Fenghua Song, Ph.D. (Washington University), Associate Professor of Finance
John C. Spychalski, Professor of Business Logistics
Shrihari Sridhar, Ph.D. (University Of Missouri, Columbia), Associate Professor of
Marketing
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Alan J. Stenger, Ph.D. (University Of Minnesota Minneapolis), Professor of Supply
Chain Management
John M. Stevens, Ph.D., M.B.A. (SUNY Buffalo State), Professor of Management and
Organization
Amy Xue Sun, Ph.D. (Carnegie-Mellon University), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Peter F. Swan, Ph.D. (University of Michigan at Ann Arbor), Associate Professor of
Logistics and Operations Management
Douglas J. Thomas, Ph.D. (Georgia Institute Of Technology), Associate Professor of
Supply Chain and Information Systems
James B. Thomas, Ph.D. (University Of Texas At Austin), Professor of Information
Sciences and Management
Evelyn A. Thomchick, Ph.D. (Clemson University), Associate Professor of Supply Chain
Management
Linda K. Trevino, Ph.D. (Texas A & M University), Professor of Organizational
Behavior and Ethics; Distinguished Professor
Wenpin Tsai, Ph.D. (University Of London), John Arnold Professor of Management
John E. Tyworth, Ph.D. (University Of Oregon), Chair, Department of Supply Chain
Management and Information Systems; Professor of Supply Chain Management
Joel Vanden, Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley), Associate Professor of
Finance
Albert Vicere, D.Ed. (Pennsylvania State University), Professor of Business
Administration
Veronica Villena, Ph.D. (IE Business School), Assistant Professor of Supply Chain
Management
Lei Wang, Ph.D. (University of Connecticut), Assistant Professor of Information Systems
Hal D. White, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania State University), Associate Professor of Accounting
Charles Whiteman, Ph.D. (University Of Minnesota Minneapolis), Professor and Dean;
John and Becky Surma Dean
Karen Winterich, Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), Frank & Mary Smeal Research
Fellow, Associate Professor of Marketing
J. Randall Woolridge, Ph.D. (University Of Iowa), Professor of Finance and The
Goldman Sachs & Co. and Frank P. Smeal Endowed University Fellow; President,
Nittany Lion Fund, LLC
Biqin Xie, Ph.D. (University Of Southern California), Assistant Professor of Accounting
Jiro Yoshida, Ph.D. (University of California at Berkeley), Assistant Professor of
Business
Alexey Zhdanov, Ph.D. (University of Rochester), Assistant Professor of Finance
The Penn State Online Master of Business Administration is an online degree program of Penn
State Erie, The Behrend College; Penn State Great Valley, The School of Graduate Professional
Studies; Penn State Harrisburg, the Capital College; and Penn State University Park, the Smeal
College of Business. The online M.B.A. curriculum emphasizes cross-functional organizational
thinking; focuses on solving business problems; closely follows the quality guidelines for
accreditation of AACSB (American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business), the
accrediting body affiliated with The International Association for Management Education; and
Page 27
uses cutting-edge instructional technology to transcend issues of time and space support effective
teaching and learning.
Within the context of these goals, the online M.B.A. curriculum was developed around core
business skills. The skills the program helps to develop include “soft skills” such as managing
and leading people and teams, analytical skills such as data analytic decision making, and
integrative skills that allow students to understand, analyze, and suggest solutions to significant
business problems that cross functional areas of business.
These different skills are integrated at the course level. Students apply knowledge developed in
these areas to multidimensional problems and issues throughout the program. The program is
offered online but includes a required one-week residential experience at the start of the
program.
Admission Requirements
Admission is granted only to candidates who demonstrate high promise of success for graduate
work. Admission requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the
GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin. Applicants apply for admission
to the program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Applicants are required to submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test
(GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE); the test may be waived for students with
extensive experience or advanced degrees at the discretion of the program.
Admissions decisions are based on a review of a complete admission portfolio, including an
application, a statement of intent, a current resume, official transcripts from all post-secondary
institutions attended, two letters of recommendation, and GMAT or GRE scores.
No specific prior course of study is required to be admitted. Applicants come from a wide range
of backgrounds. Students entering the program are required to have a working knowledge of the
Microsoft Office suite.
Master's Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
The online M.B.A. degree requires a minimum of 48 credits, including 39 credits of the
following core required courses: MBADM 810 (3), MBADM 811 (3), MBADM 812 (3),
MBADM 813 (3), MBADM 814 (3), MBADM 815 (3), MBADM 816 (3), MBADM 820 (3),
MBADM 821 (3), MBADM 822 (3), MBADM 531 (3), MBADM 571 (3), MBADM 830 (3),
and 9 credits of electives. At least 6 credits must be earned at the 500 level.
Page 28
For students with exceptional credentials, MBADM 811, MBADM 812, and MBADM 813 may
be waived. Students must petition the head of the graduate program to obtain a waiver for these
courses, and students’ credentials will be reviewed to assess their eligibility for a waiver.
Obtaining a waiver for MBADM 811, MBADM 812, and MBADM 813 will not reduce the
minimum 48 credits required for the degree. Alternate courses may be substituted for the courses
waived.
The culminating experience for the Online MBA is MBADM 571, Global Strategic
Management. As the course title implies, MBADM 571 gives students a view of the whole firm
and helps them understand how finance, marketing, and operations collectively support the
strategy and mission of the firm. Students in this course will typically analyze their own firm to
give them a comprehensive understanding of how the firm intends to achieve its goals.
Attendance at a one-week Residency Experience at the start of the program is mandatory.
Following the online MBA course schedule, which involves completing credits in six
consecutive semesters, a student can complete the program in two years.
Other Relevant Information
The online MBA is an online graduate degree program delivered via World Campus. Students
must be computer literate and have immediate, ready, and reliable access to a computer and the
Internet. Although not all aspects of the course are delivered via electronic media, Internet access
is required to successfully complete the course of instruction, as well as participate in online
discussion groups. See World Campus Technical Requirements for the most current technical
requirements.
Students are required to complete the one-week residency experience. No alternatives and
substitutions are possible.
Student Aid
Refer to the Student Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin. Students in this program are not
eligible for graduate assistantships.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate
courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements
when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may
register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous
education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION online course list
Page 29
G. Accreditation
All MBA programs are reviewed as part of the AACSB accreditation process.
H. Consultation Responses
Dennis,
I am fine with it.
Thanks.
Balaji
***********************
Balaji Rajagopalan, Ph.D
Black School of Business
Toudy Chair in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Penn State Behrend
Phone: 814-898-6173
http://psbehrend.psu.edu/school-of-business
Dennis
I approve of the proposal for the redesign of the iMBA
Best regards
Brian
Brian H. Cameron | Associate Dean for Professional Master's Programs | Smeal College
of Business | The Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA 16802 | Phone:
814-863-1460 | Email: [email protected]
Page 30
Dennis,
Great Valley supports the proposed redesigned online MBA and is happy to commit faculty
resources for course design and delivery.
Jim
James A. Nemes, D.Sc.
Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
School of Graduate Professional Studies
Penn State Great Valley
30 East Swedesford Road
Malvern, PA 19355-1443
Phone: 610-648-3335
Fax: 610-648-3377
[email protected]
Dennis,
Thanks for the opportunity to review the proposal for the redesigned online MBA. Harrisburg supports the
program proposal, and we're looking forward to implementing the revised program.
Regards,
Steve
Stephen P. Schappe, Ph.D.
Director, School of Business Administration
777 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6141
http://hbg.psu.edu/sba
Page 31
Responses from the relevant committees at the Smeal College of Business
The Graduate Policy Committee at the Smeal College of Business has reviewed and approves the
proposal for the redesigned IMBA program.
The Advisory Committee at the Smeal College of Business has reviewed and approves the
proposal for the redesigned IMBA program.
E. Appendix: Course descriptions
See separate document.
Page 32
Page 33
DEGREE PROPOSAL TO ADD A ONE-YEAR RESIDENCEBASED NON-THESIS TRACK TO THE MASTER OF
SCIENCE DEGREE:
ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND MECHANICS (M.S. ESMCH)
DEPARTMENT SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL:
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING
SCIENCE AND MECHANICS
CONTACT INFORMATION: JUDITH TODD, HEAD
Email: jtodd @psu . edu
Telephone: 814-865-9974
ADDITIONAL CONTACT: MICHAEL LANAGAN,
PROFESSOR
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 814-865-6992
COLLEGE AFFILIATION:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Page 34
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page numbers
a. Justification for the Proposed Degree
3
b. Admission Requirements
4
c. Proposed Degree Requirements
4
Table 1: Proposed Degree Requirements
5
Core Course E MCH 524A
6
Table 2: Course Designations for Mechanics/Materials 6
d. Proposed Information for the Graduate Bulletin
10
ESM Program Home Page
10
Degrees Conferred
10
The Graduate Faculty
10
Engineering Science and Mechanics Faculty
10
Admission Requirements
11
M.S. Non-thesis (ESMCH) Degree Requirements
13
e. Consultations
18
Page 35
DEGREE PROPOSAL TO ADD A ONE-YEAR RESIDENCE-BASED, NONTHESIS TRACK TO THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE:
ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND MECHANICS (M.S. ESMCH)
a. Justification for the Proposed Degree
The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) in the College of Engineering is
proposing a one-year, residence-based, non-thesis, Master of Science track in Engineering
Science and Mechanics (M.S. ESMCH). This intensive interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary
one-year, 32-credit program requires completion of a residential research experience and a
scholarly paper.
Engineering Science and Mechanics is inherently interdisciplinary in its integration of a strong
foundation in science and mathematics with the engineering disciplines. This is interpreted in its
broadest context and is applied to multiple aspects of engineering design, materials, and systems,
and includes, but is not limited to, electronics, structures, energy (nuclear, fossil, petrochemical,
wind) power plants and piping, civil infrastructure (bridges, buildings, roads), communications
and electronics, transportation (automotive and hybrid vehicles, aircraft and aerospace, ships),
materials behavior, the human body, and even the brain. It is also applied across multiple scales
integrating from the atomic and molecular levels to the behavior of macroscopic systems. The
department has core strengths in nanoscience and engineering, nanomanufacturing, and
nanotechnology education. The interdisciplinary context in which ESM explores these topics
leads to scientific innovations, entrepreneurial activities, and even the creation of new
technologies and businesses. Students with a strong foundation in Engineering Science and
Mechanics can apply their skills across all disciplines and are highly sought by both industry and
academia.
The current Master of Science Degree (M.S.) in Engineering Science and Mechanics requires a
total of 32 credits, including 2 credits of seminar and 6 credits of thesis research, culminating in
a written thesis with oral defense. This track typically requires at least four semesters to
complete. The proposed track is aimed at preparing tomorrow’s engineers in a very broad sense
and is structured so that resident, full-time, students can complete the degree in 12 months. The
proposed M.S. track requires a minimum of 32 course credits, including two seminar credits and
3 credits of a residential research experience and a scholarly paper. This interdisciplinary
program is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in physics, engineering, mathematics, or
related fields who wish to gain a deeper knowledge of engineering science and mechanics
fundamentals and applications and to explore research opportunities.
The focus of the 1-year degree is on full-time resident students. It is expected to appeal to
engineers and scientists interested in a variety of fields such as, but not limited to aerospace,
agricultural and biological, architectural, biomedical, civil, mechanical, nuclear, and
petrochemical engineering, engineering mechanics, engineering science, materials science,
physics, chemistry, biology and medicine. Due to its inherent breadth and depth, students will be
able to choose from a very wide range of courses in four concept areas: Mathematics,
Mechanics, Materials, and Engineering Science. Since the fusion of these concept areas
represents the essence of Engineering Science and Mechanics, students are required to take a
minimum of one course in each area. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the proposed program
and its broad application to many fields, we anticipate that this one-year degree will significantly
Page 36
increase our competitiveness in attracting high performing, domestic and international M.S.
students.
b. Admission Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the GENERAL
INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin. Applicants apply for admission to the
program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Students seeking the proposed one-year residence-based master’s (M.S. ESMCH) degree will be
admitted in the fall semester each year.
The admission requirements are as follows:
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for admission. Applicants
with a baccalaureate degree in engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics who present at
least a 3.00 grade-point average will be considered for admission.
c.
Proposed Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Students seeking the one-year residence-based master’s (M.S.) degree in Engineering Science
and Mechanics proposed by the ESM Department will be required to start their degree in the
fall semester and expected to complete all of the required course work and their degree by the
end of the following summer. The proposed plan of study is as follows:
•
•
•
Fall semester:
12 credits of course work + 1 credit of E SC 596 Individual Study
+ 1 credit of seminar
Spring semester: 12 credits of course work + 1 credit of E SC 596 Individual Study +
1 credit of seminar
Summer semester: 3 credits of course work + 1 credit of E SC/E MCH 596
Individual Study
The ESM Graduate Officer and/or the MS ESMCH Program Director will oversee the
students’ progress towards their degrees.
Table 1: Proposed Degree Requirements
Page 37
Total number of course
credits
Recommended number
of semesters
Minimum number of E
SC/E MCH credits
Maximum number of
credits at 400 level
Core courses required
Graduate seminar (E
SC/E MCH 514)
Research credits
towards M.S. degree
Culminating experience
Total credits
Current M.S. thesis track
Proposed M.S. non-thesis
track
24
27
4 (2 fall and 2 spring)
3 (fall, spring, summer)
12
Including E MCH 524A
6
12
Including E MCH 524A
6
One mathematics course
plus one from each
category: materials,
mechanics, engineering
science
12 credits
2
One mathematics course
plus one from each
category: materials,
mechanics, engineering
science
12 credits
2
E SC/E MCH 600
6 credits
Completion of research
thesis and oral defense
E SC/E MCH 596
3 credits
Completion of a written
scholarly paper and
presentation
32
32
The proposed one-year residence-based master’s (M.S.) “Engineering Science and Mechanics”
track is an academic degree with 3 credits of research which must result in a paper to satisfy the
Graduate Council requirement of a culminating research experience. The 2 credits of E SC/E
MCH 514 and 3 credits of E SC/E MCH 596 independent study research experience will include
at least five hours of responsible conduct of research (RCR) covering publication practices and
responsible authorship, conflicts of interest, research misconduct, ethics, peer review, mentoring,
data management, and collaborative research as specified by Penn State for Scholarship and
Research Integrity (SARI) requirements. To satisfy the second part of the SARI requirements,
students will complete an online Responsible Conduct of Research course provided by the
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program. Once completed, a printable
certificate will be available that must be shown to the ESM Academic Affairs Manager to verify
completion.
In the first week of the fall semester, non-thesis M.S. students will receive information from the
ESM Graduate Officer and/or the MS ESMCH Program Director about faculty research activities
within the ESM department. They will be assigned a research advisor in the first semester so
Page 38
selection and discussion of the student’s research project can begin as soon as possible. The
paper must demonstrate the student’s capability to integrate and apply concepts and techniques
learned in the courses and thereby demonstrate the scientific, technical and ethical knowledge
needed to practice engineering. An electronic copy of the approved culminating research paper
must be submitted to the ESM department at least two weeks before the end of summer classes.
Students who need more time to complete the final paper may extend the submission due date
after the third semester (summer). The degree will be granted after the paper has been reviewed
and approved, and all degree requirements have been met. Students are not required to remain in
residence while they complete the final paper. However, extensions granted to students in this
program must comply with the Graduate Council policy on deferred grades. Subject to
permission of the author, this paper will be posted on the department web site and will be
available to interested persons.
Core Course E MCH 524A: All M.S. students are required to take a graduate level applied
mathematics course. If a student has taken E SC 404H, then another high level mathematics
course such as E MCH 524B may be substituted.
At least one course from each of the categories A) Mechanics, B) Materials, and C) Engineering
Science must be taken as summarized in Table 2.
2 seminars credits (E MCH/E SC 514) and 3 credits of E SC/E MCH 596 Independent Study are
also required.
The remaining course credit requirements may be taken at the discretion of the student
and their academic adviser provided they satisfy the requirements of Table 2.
Table 2: Course Designations for Mechanics/Materials/Engineering Science
Category A: Mechanics. Select at least one course from the following list; each is a 3-credit course.
Mechanics is interpreted in its broadest context to include biomechanics, celestial mechanics, computational
mechanics, fluid mechanics, quantum mechanics, solid mechanics, statistical mechanics, structural mechanics,
and wave mechanics, among others).
E MCH
400
Advanced Strength of Materials and Design
E MCH
402
Applied and Experimental Stress Analysis
E MCH
403
Strength Design in Materials and Structures
E MCH
407
Computer Methods in Engineering Design
E MCH
409
Advanced Mechanics
E MCH
416H Failure and Failure Analysis of Solids
E MCH
440
Nondestructive Evaluation of Flaws
MATSE
440
E MCH
446
Mechanics of Viscoelastic Materials
E MCH
461
Finite Elements in Engineering
E MCH
470
Analysis and Design in Vibration Engineering
E MCH
471
Engineering Composite Materials
E MCH
473
Composites Processing
AERSP
473
E MCH
500
Solid Mechanics
E MCH
506
Experimental Stress Analysis
E MCH
516
Mathematical Theory of Elasticity
Page 39
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
AERSP
ME
E MCH
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
BIOE
520
521
523
524B
524C
530
532
533
534
535
540
560
571
571
571
581
481
482
536
537
505
BIOE
510
BIOE
515
Advanced Dynamics
Stress Waves in Solids
Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation
Mathematical Methods in Engineering
Mathematical Methods in Engineering
Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Fracture Mechanics
Scanned Image Microscopy
Micromechanisms of Fracture
Deformation Mechanisms in Materials
Introduction to Continuum Mechanics
Finite Element Analysis
Foundation of Structural Dynamics and Vibration
Micromechanics of Composites
Elements of Nano/Micro-Electromechanical Systems Processing and Design
Micro-Optoelectromechanical Systems (MOEMS) and Nanophotonics
Wave Propagation and Scattering
Multiple Scattering Theories and Dynamic Properties of Composite Materials
Bioengineering Mechanics
Biomedical Applications of Microelectromechanical Systems (BioMEMS) and
Bionanotechnology
Cell Mechanics and Biophysics
Category A: Mechanics (cont’d). Select at least one course from the following list; each is a 3-credit course.
BIOE
IE
BIOE
IE
PHYS
AERSP
AERSP
AERSP
CHEM
552
552
553
553
410
506
518
550
565
Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal System
Engineering of Human Work
Introduction Quantum Mechanics I
Rotorcraft Dynamics
Dynamics and Control of Aerospace Vehicles
Astrodynamics
Quantum Chemistry I
Category B: Materials. Select at least one course from the following list; each is a 3-credit course.
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
AERSP
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
E SC
E SC
E SC
402
416H
440
446
471
473
473
506
530
534
535
414M
419
445
Applied and Experimental Stress Analysis
Failure and Failure Analysis of Solids
Nondestructive Evaluation and Flaws
Mechanics of Viscoelastic Materials
Engineering Composite Materials
Composites Processing
Experimental Stress Analysis
Mechanical Behavior of Materials
Micromechanisms of Fracture
Deformation Mechanisms in Materials
Elements of Material Engineering
Electronic Properties and Applications of Materials
Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices
Page 40
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
BIOE
CHEM
CHEM
450
455
483
484
502
511
536
537
543
550
551
582
583
517
448
543
Synthesis and Processing of Electronic and Photonic Materials
Electrochemical Methods in Corrosion Science and Engineering
Simulation and Design of Nanostructures
Biologically Inspired Nanomaterials
Semiconductor Heterojunctions and Applications
Engineering Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage
Wave Propagation and Scattering
Multiple Scattering Theories and Dynamic Properties of Composite Materials
Laser Microprocessing
Power Semiconductor Devices
High Power Energy Storage
Micro- and Nano-Structured Light Emitting Devices
Micro-and Nano- Optoelectronic Devices and Applications
Biomaterials Surface Science
Surface Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Category B: Materials (cont’d). Select at least one course from the following list; each is a 3-credit course.
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
BIOE
MATSE
BIOE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
MATSE
413
436
507
517
508
508
514
544
545
562
564
581
400
501
503
512
Solid-State Materials
Mechanical Properties of Materials
Biomaterials Surface Science
Biomedical Materials
Characterization of Materials
Computational Materials Science of Soft Materials
Semiconductor Characterization
Solid to Solid Phase Transformations
Deformation Mechanisms in Materials
Computational Materials Science II: Continuum, Mesoscale Simulations
Crystal Chemistry
Thermodynamics of Materials
Kinetics of Materials Processes
Principles of Crystal Chemistry
Category C: Engineering Science. Select at least one course from the following list; each is a 3-credit course.
E MCH
E MCH
E MCH
BIOE
IE
BIOE
E MCH
E MCH
ME
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
407
461
533
552
552
512
560
563
563
400H
404H
406H
407H
445
456
Computer Methods in Engineering Design
Finite Elements in Engineering
Scanned Image Microscopy
Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal System
Cell and Molecular Bioengineering
Finite Element Analysis
Nonlinear Finite Elements
Electromagnetic Fields, Honors
Analysis in Engineering Science, , Honors
Analysis in Engineering Science II, Honors
Computer Methods in Engineering Science, Honors
Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices
Introduction to Neural Networks
Page 41
EE
EGEE
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
E SC
CHEM
EE
EE
EE
EE
EE
EE
PHYS
PHYS
456
456
481
482
483
484
501
502
527
540
541
542
544
550
551
555
577
581
582
583
466
420
422
432
442
522
542
524
572
Elements of Nano/Micro-electromechanical Systems Processing and Design
Micro-Optoelectromechanical Systems (MOEMS) and Nanophotonics
Simulation and Design of Nanostructures
Biologically Inspired Nanomaterials
Solar Cell Devices
Semiconductor Heterojunctions and Applications
Brain Computer Interfaces
Laser Optics Fundamentals
Laser-Materials Interactions
Laser-Integrated Manufacturing
Laser Laboratory
Power Semiconductor Devices
High Power Energy Storage
Neuroscience Data Analysis
Engineered Thin Films.
Microelectromechanical Systems/Smart Structures
Micro- and Nano-Structured Light Emitting Devices
Micro-and Nano Optoelectronic Devices and Applications
Molecular Thermodynamics
Electro-Optics: Principles and Devices
Optical Engineering Laboratory
RF and Microwave Engineering
Solid State Devices
Electro-Optics Laboratory
Semiconductor Devices
Physics of Semiconductors and Devices
Laser Physics and Quantum Optics
Additional courses may be petitioned with approval of the Head of the ESMCH Graduate
Program.
d.
Proposed Information for the Graduate Bulletin
Engineering Science and Mechanics (E SC; ESMCH)
Program Home Page
JUDITH A. TODD, Department Head
P. B. Breneman Chair and Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
212 Earth-Engineering Sciences Building
814-863-4586
Page 42
MICHAEL LANAGAN, Graduate Officer
212 Earth-Engineering Sciences Building
814-865-6992
Degrees Conferred:
•
•
•
•
•
Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics
M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics
o Thesis Track
o Non-Thesis Track
M. Eng. in Engineering Mechanics
Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Study/ B.S. in Engineering Science - M.S. in
Engineering Science and Mechanics
Joint M.D./Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics
The Graduate Faculty
Opportunities for graduate studies are available in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary
research areas including: biomechanics; composite materials; continuum mechanics; electrical,
magnetic, electromagnetic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties of thin films.;
experimental mechanics; lithography; microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS); micromechanics; molecular beam epitaxy;
numerical methods; photovoltaic materials and devices; nanotechnology and
nanobiotechnology; properties of materials; shock, vibration acoustics and nonlinear dynamics;
structural health monitoring; structural mechanics; wave-material interactions; non-destructive
evaluation and testing; and failure analysis.
Admission Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the GENERAL
INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin. Applicants apply for admission to the
program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering, the sciences, mathematics,
engineering science, and materials who present at least a 3.00 grade-point average will be
considered for admission. Exceptions to the minimum 3.00 grade-point average may be made for
students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests at the discretion of the program.
Applicants will be accepted up to the number of places available for new students.
Page 43
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for admission. At the
discretion of the Graduate Officer, a student may be granted provisional admission pending
receipt of acceptable GRE scores.
M. Eng. (E MCH) Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
At least 31 credits at the 400 level of higher must be earned, with at least 18 at the 500 or 800
level, and at least 6 at the 500 level. Of these, 22 must be from lecture/laboratory courses
approved by the department. The program includes 19 required credits and 12 elective credits.
The 19 required credits include 1 credit of graduate seminar (E SC 514 or E MCH 514), 3 credits
of E SC 596 or E MCH 596, and 15 credits in E SC or E MCH courses as follows: 3 credits are
required in the area of Analysis; 3 credits in the area of Fields; 3 credits in the area of Motion; 3
credits in the areas of Materials Performance/Reliability or Materials
Processing/Structure/Characterization; and 3 additional credits from any one of the four
categories. A scholarly written report on a developmental study involving at least one area
represented in the course work must be written while enrolled in either E SC 596 or E MCH 596.
This scholarly paper should reflect the high quality of research required to meet the Engineering
Science and Mechanics M.Eng. degree standards, as determined by the ESM Graduate Officer
and the ESM Graduate Curriculum Committee. A 3.0 minimum grade point average is required
to maintain good academic standing and for graduation.
M.S. (ESMCH) Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Thesis Track: At least 32 credits at the 400 level or above must be earned, with at least 18 credits
at the 500 and 600 levels combined, and 24 credits must be from 400- and 500-level
lecture/laboratory courses approved by the department. No more than 6 credits may be earned
from 400-level courses. Three credits are required in the area of Mathematical Methods in
Engineering (E MCH 524A, or an equivalent or more advanced course); 3 credits in the area of
Mechanics; 3 credits in the area of Materials; and 3 credits in the area of Engineering Science. In
addition, 2 credits of graduate seminar (E MCH 514 or E SC 514) must be earned. A thesis is
required and at least 6 credits of thesis research (E MCH 600/610 or E SC 600/ 610) must be
included in the student’s program of study. The thesis must be a well-organized account of
research undertaken by the student and must show initiative and originality. A 3.0 minimum
grade-point average is required to maintain good academic standing and for graduation. The
thesis must be accepted by the advisers and/or committee members, the head of the graduate
program, and the Graduate School, and the student must pass a thesis defense.
Non-Thesis Track: At least 32 credits at the 400 level or above must be earned, with at least 18
credits at the 500-level, and 27 credits must be from 400- and 500-level lecture/laboratory
courses approved by the department. No more than 6 credits may be earned from 400-level
Page 44
courses. Three credits are required in the area of Mathematical Methods in Engineering (E MCH
524A, or an equivalent or more advanced course). In addition, 2 credits of graduate seminar (E
MCH 514 or E SC 514) must be earned. The student is required to complete an independent
research experience resulting in a scholarly paper, for which 3 credits of E SC or E MCH 596
will be earned. This scholarly paper should reflect the high quality of research required to meet
the Engineering Science and Mechanics M.S. degree standards, as determined by the ESM
Graduate Officer and the ESM Graduate Curriculum Committee. A 3.0 minimum grade-point
average is required to maintain good academic standing and for graduation.
Ph.D. (ESMCH) Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Students may enter the Ph.D. program after completing an M.S. degree or directly from the B.S.
degree. The student must have completed an appropriate baccalaureate or master’s degree prior
to admission. In addition: 1) at least 18 credits must be earned in 400- and 500-level
lecture/laboratory courses approved by the department; and, 2) 3 credits of a graduate seminar
(E MCH 514 or E SC 514) must be earned beyond the master’s degree requirements. The
student must demonstrate English competency, and pass a candidacy examination, a
comprehensive examination, and a final oral examination. A doctoral dissertation on an
appropriate topic is required. It must be a well-organized account of research undertaken by the
student and show initiative and originality. The dissertation must be accepted by the doctoral
committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School. A minimum grade-point
average of 3.00 for work done at the University is required for admission to the candidacy
examination, the comprehensive examination, and the final oral examination, and for
graduation.
Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Study – B.S. in Engineering
Science – M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics
The flexibility and strength in fundamentals of the Engineering Science curriculum provides an
opportunity for Engineering Science undergraduate students to participate in the ESM Integrated
Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) program. The IUG program promotes the interchange of ideas
across all branches of the scientific and engineering disciplines from both a theoretical and
experimental perspective. Students in the integrated degree program are expected to pursue
interdisciplinary studies in areas that encompass nano- and bionanotechnology, advanced
materials, electromagnetic, mechanics, microelectronics, nanoelectronics and bioelectronics,
neural engineering, photonics and photovoltaics (among others) and they are expected to
embrace multidisciplinary perspectives across departmental, College, and University boundaries.
Application for IUG status may be made in the fifth or subsequent semesters. Students must
apply to the program via the Graduate School application for admission, and must meet all the
admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Engineering Science and Mechanics
graduate program for the Master of Science degree. Students must be admitted to the IUG
program no later than the end of the second week of the semester preceding the semester of
Page 45
expected conferral of the undergraduate degree. Students must be admitted to the program prior
to taking the first course they intend to count towards the graduate degree.
In consultation with an adviser, students must prepare a plan of study appropriate to this
integrated program, and must present their plan of study in person to the head of the graduate
program or the appropriate committee overseeing the integrated program prior to being admitted
to the program. The plan should cover the entire time period of the integrated program, and it
should be reviewed periodically with an adviser as the student advances through the program.
To earn the Master of Science degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics, students in the
IUG program must complete all of the degree requirements for the M.S. degree, described above.
If students accepted into the IUG program are unable to complete the M.S. degree, they are still
eligible to receive their undergraduate degree if all the undergraduate degree requirements have
been satisfied.
The following is a list of courses that may be double counted towards both degrees:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
E MCH 400 Advanced Strength of Materials and Design
E SC 419 Electronic Properties and Applications of Materials
E MCH 407 Computer Methods in Engineering Design
E SC 404H Analysis in Engineering Science
E MCH 524A Mathematical Methods in Engineering
E SC 501 Solar Cell Devices
E SC 551 High Power Energy Storage
At least 6 of the double-counted credits must be at the 500-level. The graduate thesis or other
graduate culminating/capstone experience (including any associated credits and/or deliverables)
may not be double counted towards any other degree.
Joint M.D/Ph.D. Program in Engineering Science and Mechanics
(M.D.Ph.D., ESMCH)
Admission Requirements
All students must process an application via the American Medical College Application Service
and be accepted for admission by the M.D./Ph.D. admissions committee. Admission to the
program requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score
of 32. Exceptions to the minimum requirements may be made at the discretion of the program
for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interests. Applicants will be accepted up to
the number of places available for new students. Students must successfully complete Years M1
and M2 and Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before
entering the graduate degree program. All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed
prior to Year M3 of medical studies.
Students must apply to the Graduate School for admission to the graduate program. Applicants
holding undergraduate degrees in engineering, the mathematical sciences, mathematics,
Page 46
engineering science, and materials science and engineering who present a minimum 3.5 gradepoint average will be considered for admission. Exceptions to the minimum 3.5 grade-point
average may be made at the discretion of the program for students with special backgrounds,
abilities, and interests. Applicants will be accepted up to the number of places available for new
students.
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for admission. At the
discretion of the Graduate Officer, a student may be granted provisional admission pending
receipt of acceptable GRE scores.
All program-specific documents for admission (e.g., transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.)
must be submitted by all applicants.
Degree Requirements
The Joint M.D./Ph.D. Program in Engineering Science and Mechanics (M.D./Ph.D., ESMCH)
will form the basis for an interdisciplinary, transformational program that will educate a new
generation of Physician Engineering Scientists, working at the frontiers of clinical and
translational research. This Joint Degree Program responds to the national call to expedite the
incorporation of clinical and translational research into improved healthcare.
Students in the Joint M.D./Ph.D. Program in Engineering Science and Mechanics will complete
4 years of medical studies (designated years M1 through M4) at the College of Medicine, and 3
or more years of Graduate Study (designated years G1 through G3 or GX) in the Engineering
Science and Mechanics (ESM) Department.
After successful completion of the first 2 years of medical school, including all required rotations
and Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), the candidate will
apply for admission to the Ph.D. program in Engineering Science and Mechanics.
Students will complete all degree requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Engineering Science and
Mechanics, including SARI (Scholarship and Research Integrity) training for the Responsible
Conduct of Research (RCR) that must be met by students admitted to the program with either a
baccalaureate or a master's degree, with the following exceptions:
• students admitted to the program with a baccalaureate degree will be allowed to double count
14 professional credits toward graduate course credit for the Ph.D. degree; and,
• students admitted to the program with a master’s degree will be allowed to double count 7
professional credits toward graduate course credit for the Ph.D. degree.
Students will complete all requirements for the M.D. Degree that must be met by students
admitted to the program with either a baccalaureate or master's degree, with the following
exceptions:
• baccalaureate degree holders will be allowed to double count 10 research credits (E SC 600/E
MCH 610) toward professional credits for the M.D. degree; and,
• master's degree holders will be allowed to double count 5 research credits (E SC 600/E MCH
610) applied to the Ph.D. ESMCH degree toward professional credits for the M.D. degree.
Page 47
Students may take the Candidacy Examination after completing 18 credits of approved graduate
course work.
• master's degree holders accepted into the Joint M.D./Ph.D. program may take the Candidacy
Examination in the Spring Semester of Year G1, but no later than the Fall Semester of G2.
• baccalaureate degree holders accepted into the Joint M.D./Ph.D. program may take the
Candidacy Examination within 3 semesters of entry into the Ph.D. program (expected to be the
Fall Semester of G2).
Following completion of the Ph.D. dissertation, students will return to medical school to
complete Years M3 and M4 of the professional M.D. degree.
Student Aid
Research and Teaching Assistantships (half time) are granted to a majority of graduate students
in good academic standing. Financial supported is ordinarily limited to three semesters for fulltime master's degree students, and six semesters for full-time Ph.D. students. “Students on
graduate assistantships must adhere to the course load limits set forth in the Graduate Bulletin.
In addition to the fellowships, traineeships, graduate assistantships, or other forms of financial
aid described in the STUDENT AID section of the Graduate Bulletin, the following awards
typically have been available to graduate students in this program.
THEODORE HOLDEN THOMAS, Jr., MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP-Available to
undergraduate or graduate students who display outstanding ability and have enrolled in the
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics. Apply to the Department of Engineering
Science and Mechanics, 212 Earth-Engineering Sciences Building. Deadline is February 1.
SABIH AND GÜLER HAYEK GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP IN ENGINEERING SCIENCE
AND MECHANICS-Provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding graduate
students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics.
Apply to the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, 211 Earth-Engineering
Sciences Building. Deadline is February 1.
DR. RICHARD LLORENS GRADUATE AWARD IN ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND
MECHANICS - Provides recognition and financial assistance to graduate students pursuing a
degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics who have achieved academic excellence. Apply to
the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, 211 Earth-Engineering Sciences
Building. Deadline is February 1.
RICHARD P. MCNITT SCHOLARSHIP IN ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND MECHANICS Available to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the Department of Engineering
Science and Mechanics who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise
of outstanding academic success. Apply to the Department of Engineering Science and
Mechanics, 212 Earth-Engineering Sciences Building. Deadline is February 1.
Courses
Page 48
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate
courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements
when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may
register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous
education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
ENGINEERING MECHANICS (E MCH) course list
ENGINEERING SCIENCE (E SC) course list
Last Revised by the Department: Spring Semester 2012
Blue Sheet Item #: 40-07-019
Review Date: 06/12/2012
Faculty linked: 6/9/14
e.
Consultations From Other Departments
The following departments/individuals within the College of Engineering were sent the program
proposal for consultation:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Aerospace Engineering – Dr. George Lesieutre
Biomedical Engineering – Dr. William Hancock
Chemical Engineering – Dr. Phillip Savage
Electrical Engineering – Dr. Kultegin Aydin
Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering – Dr. Karen Thole
The following departments/individuals outside of the College of Engineering were sent the
program proposal for consultation:
i.
ii.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering – Dr. Paul Heinemann
Materials Science and Engineering – Dr. Susan Sinnott
Consultant Comments and ESM Responses
From: "George A. Lesieutre" <[email protected]>
To: "Mike Lanagan" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Susan Barger" <[email protected]>
Page 49
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 8:42:37 PM
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Mike -Aerospace Engineering has no particular issues with this proposal, approves it, and wishes you
success.
We have a few observations intended to help you anticipate questions that might come.
1. Comment: This non-thesis MS will continue to be offered alongside a thesis-based MS,
correct?
2. Comment: The 4-credit residential research component takes place during the summer
and culminates in a scholarly paper, which is supposed to be comparable in the level
and quality of work to that in a master’s thesis. I’m not sure that this is helpful to your
case, as it makes the scholarly paper sound like a thesis. What’s the difference? Is it
simply shorter?
3. Comment: students will be required to have an ESM mentor by the beginning of the
spring semester so that potential scholarly research topics are explored in time for the
summer effort.
4. Comment: What is the expected enrollment in this one-year program? Is the department
confident that enough faculty members will be available and willing to supervise the
“independent” study credits and the scholarly paper?
5. Comment: I think that’s it. I hope the process proceeds smoothly.
-George
******************************************
George A. Lesieutre
Professor and Head, Aerospace Engineering
Director, Center for Acoustics & Vibration
Penn State University
******************************************
ESM Response:
From: MICHAEL T LANAGAN [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2015 7:27 AM
To: George A. Lesieutre <[email protected]>
Cc: Susan Barger <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
George,
Thank you for your feedback and your comments are quite helpful as we navigate proposal through the
submission process. My responses are below.
1. Response: Yes, the main goal of the program will be to attract students that who are interested in a
post graduate experience and eventually will move to industry or another graduate program.
Page 50
2. Response: The scholarly paper will contain all of the elements of a thesis including introduction,
analysis, conclusion and reference sections.
3. Response: Because all Engineering Science undergraduates are required to write a thesis, we have
developed pathways for students to find topics and advisers early in the research process. In the fall
semester, students will be exposed to topics through the graduate seminar. They will start their
research in the spring semester and have a significant amount of time to complete the paper in the
summer semester.
4. Response: Based on our one-year M.Eng. program in Mechanics, I anticipate that there will be 5 to 10
students in the first year of the 1-year M.S. ESM program. Enrollments of 25 students will be targeted in
subsequent years. The ESM faculty have significant experience in mentoring B.S. student theses and
should be able to guide the research projects of the M.S. students.
Mike Lanagan
Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Head of ESM Graduate Program
From: William Hancock
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 2:12 PM
To: Susan Barger <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Dear Sue,
I have read the new ESM 1yr MS degree. I think that the framework of the program with the required
courses and course distributions are appropriate. And I think that the degree will be of value to students.
There was almost no detail of the requirements for the paper, and I got no feeling for the structure of the 3
months of summer when the students will be taking independent study. Will they be carrying out
research? What faculty involvement will there be over the summer? And what are the metrics on which the
paper will be evaluated?
Small detail – I suggest that BIOE 512 (which I teach) be moved from Materials to Engineering Science
section.
Best of luck with the new program,
Will Hancock
________________________________________________
William O. Hancock, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Chair of Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Bioengineering
229 Hallowell Building
Office: (814) 863-0492
Penn State University
Lab: ( 814) 865-6216
University Park, PA 16802
Fax: (814) 863-0490
Page 51
http://www.bioe.psu.edu/faculty/hancock.html
ESM Response:
From: MICHAEL T LANAGAN [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 9:25 AM
To: William Hancock <[email protected]>
Cc: Susan Barger <[email protected]>; Judith Todd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Will,
We will update to proposal and move bioethics 512 from the Materials to the Engineering
Science section.
The research paper may involve hands on, theoretical or modeling research. Projects will be
coordinated by the ESMCH Director and students will interact with their faculty advisers in the
same way as research MS students.
Mike Lanagan
Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Head of ESM Graduate Program
From: "Phillip Savage" <[email protected]>
To: "Susan Barger" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Michael T. Lanagan" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 3, 2015 7:50:11 PM
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Sue
Overall, I have no objections to the new program. One question, though.
Page 6 states that students "will be required to start their degree in the fall semester of every year and
complete all the required coursework and their degree by the end of the following summer." I wonder,
what happens to students who do not complete the program by the end of the following summer? Will
they really be denied the option of completing the degree via an additional Fall semester on campus?
Phil
Phillip E. Savage | Department Head, Chemical Engineering | Penn State
Walter L. Robb Family Chair | Editor-in-Chief, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
160 Fenske Lab | University Park, PA 16802 | : 814-867-5876 | : [email protected]
ESM Response:
From: MICHAEL T LANAGAN [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 9:15 AM
To: Phillip Savage <[email protected]>
Page 52
Cc: Susan Barger <[email protected]>; Michael T. Lanagan <[email protected]>; Judith Todd
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Phil,
Thank you for reviewing the M.S. ESMCH proposal and we will not deny students the
opportunity to complete their degree if there is a delay in their coursework.
Mike Lanagan
Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Head of ESM Graduate Program
From: Phillip Savage
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 10:20 AM
To: Michael Lanagan <[email protected]>
Cc: Susan Barger <[email protected]>; Judith Todd <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Mike Lanagan
Thanks for clarifying. I support the proposal.
Phil Savage
Phillip E. Savage | Department Head, Chemical Engineering | Penn State
Walter L. Robb Family Chair | Editor-in-Chief, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
160 Fenske Lab | University Park, PA 16802 | : 814-867-5876 | : [email protected]
From: Kultegin Aydin
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 2015 5:34 PM
To: Michael Lanagan <[email protected]>
Cc: Susan Barger <[email protected]>; Judith Todd <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Dear Mike,
Here are my comments regarding your department’s proposal. Please feel free to contact me, should
you have any questions.
I support the overall proposal, but answering the following questions would be helpful:
On page 10 of the proposal under the heading “degrees Conferred” M.S. in Engineering Science and
Mechanics is listed separately from the One-year residence-based M.S. non-thesis degree “Engineering
Science and Mechanics”. Are these separate M.S. degrees or are they the same M.S. degree but with
two different options?
If they are the same M.S. degree, then how do you justify the additional effort required from the thesis
option compared to the non-thesis option?
Regards,
Kultegin
Page 53
Kultegin Aydin
Professor and Head
Department of Electrical Engineering
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
The Pennsylvania State University
129 EE East, University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-2788
Fax: (814) 865-6392
ESM Response:
From: "Judith Todd" <[email protected]>
To: "Kultegin Aydin" <[email protected]>, "Michael Lanagan" <[email protected]>
Cc: "Susan Barger" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2015 5:37:33 PM
Subject: RE: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Kultegin
Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. We are following up with Lori Long and
Vicki Burt in the Grad school. If we need to make the credits the same, we will increase
the 1-year to 32.
Judy
Professor Judith A. Todd, Department Head
P. B. Breneman Chair and Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics
The Pennsylvania State University
212 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building
University Park, PA 16802-6812
(814) 863-0771
(814) 865-9974
From: Karen Thole
Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2015 3:47 PM
To: Michael Lanagan <[email protected]>; Susan Barger <[email protected]>
Cc: Mary Frecker <[email protected]>; Dan Haworth <[email protected]>; '[email protected]'
<[email protected]>
Subject: FW: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
MNE Consultation:
Many courses on the list for the ESM one-year MS program are from departments other than
Page 54
ESM, including MNE. Many of MNE’s 500-level courses are already at the point where our
courses are overenrolled. So the department has concerns about the additional teaching
workload that will result in MNE with no additional resources coming to MNE from the ESM
one-year MS degree.
Moreover, there have been several instances in the past few years whereby ME graduate students
have been excluded from enrolling in ESM courses because ESM was not willing to expand the
section size. Because of this exclusion, MNE questions the ability for ESM to take on this oneyear MS degree program since there is already a reluctance to allow current ME grad students
from enrolling in what ESM considers to be full sections.
Until these inter-department issues are resolved in terms of the resource flow and enrollment
controls, MNE is hesitant to endorse this proposal.
ESM Response:
From: Judith Todd
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 11:02 AM
To: Susan Barger <[email protected]>; Michael Lanagan <[email protected]>; Karen Thole
<[email protected]>
Cc: Mary Frecker - Forward <[email protected]>; DANIEL HAWORTH <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Karen:
Thank you for your comments on the ESMCH MS proposal. ESM is happy to remove ME courses from
the list of potential courses for students enrolled in the 1 year MS degree. The other courses, e.g.
MATSE courses, have been included with the support of the MATSE Department Head, Susan Sinnott.
Pease could you specify the graduate courses from which ME students have been excluded. I am
unaware of students being refused access to our courses and I have not received any notice from you
until I received the email forwarded from Sue Barger today.
Indeed ESM is going out of its way to accommodate ME graduate students. Francesco is teaching 2
graduate courses this semester with students predominantly from ME.
ESM has hired 2 new faculty with mechanics credentials this year and we are confident we will meet the
needs of both ESM and ME students going forward.
Judy
Professor Judith A. Todd, Department Head
P. B. Breneman Chair and Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics
The Pennsylvania State University
212 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building
University Park, PA 16802-6812
(814) 863-0771
Page 55
(814) 865-9974
[email protected]
www.esm.psu.edu
From: "Paul Heinemann" <[email protected]>
To: "Michael Lanagan" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 4:37:34 PM
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering supports this proposal. I have no
additional comments.
Thank you for consulting with us.
Paul
Paul Heinemann
Professor and Head
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
814-865-2633
[email protected]
From: SUSAN B SINNOTT [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 8:47 PM
To: Susan Barger <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Engineering Science and Mechanics MS Degree
Dear Susan,
I expect that the proposed degree would be of interest to a substantial number of students. I am happy
to approve.
Susan
Susan B. Sinnott, PhD
Department Head and Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
Editor in Chief, Computational Materials Science
The Pennsylvania State University
111 Research Unit A
University Park, PA 16801
Phone: 814-863-3117
Email: [email protected]
Page 56
Vice President for Research
Office for Research
The Pennsylvania State
University
The 330 Building, Suite
(814) 865-1775
Fax: (814) 863-8699
www.research.psu.edu/or
November 13, 2015
Dr. Michael Lanagan
Professor of Engineering Science and
Mechanics Associate Director, Center
for
Dielectric
Studies
329N
Millennium Science Building
Dear Michael:
I am pleased to inform you that your SARI@PSU Program Plan for the proposed MS in
Engineering Science and Mechanics (M.S. ESMCH) degree program has been received and
approved. Thank you very much for taking the time to consult with us as you develop this new
program.
As described in your email to me, the proposed program will fall under the existing College of
Engineering/Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics SARI@PSU program plan.
The program plan is available on Angel. You (or a program assistant) may download the
spreadsheet, enter information regarding your students’ progress in meeting your SARI@PSU
requirements, and return the spreadsheet to us via the dropbox on the Angel site by June 30
each year. We will keep your information updated, so that at any time you may download and
view your current plan and tracking form. Our goal is to make this system as simple and
transparent as possible, so please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions.
If, in the future, you find that changing needs require you to modify your program’s
SARI@PSU educational requirements, please let us know and submit a revised SARI@PSU
program plan form to ORP at least 30 days prior to the change. Information and documents to
support the SARI@PSU program can be found on the SARI@PSU Resource Portal
(www.research.psu.edu/orp/sari). As always, your questions, comments, and suggestions
concerning any aspect of the SARI@PSU program are welcome.
Thank you again for your participation in this important initiative, and for supporting
Penn State’s commitment to modeling and teaching the responsible conduct of research
and scholarship in our community.
Sincerely,
Brad R. Woods
Director, SARI@PSU Program
An Equal Opportunity University
Page 57
Page 58
Program Proposal Change for Ph.D. Course Requirements
Graduate Program in Information Sciences and Technology
College of Information Sciences and Technology
Penn State-University Park
February 2016
Page 59
Table of Contents
Ph.D. Course Requirements Program Change Proposal
A. Justification for Proposed Changes ………………………………………………. 1
B. Comparison of Changes Table…………………………………………….....……. 1
C. Revised Bulletin Copy…………………………………………………………...... 2
D. Consultation………………………………………………………………...……… 9
Page 60
Information Sciences and Technology Doctoral Degree Requirements
College of Information Sciences and Technology
A. A justification for proposed changes, such as updating instruction, together with an indication
of expected enrollments and any effects on existing programs.
The College of IST would like to request a program change for its PhD course
requirements. In the past the College required that each PhD student, in their first year, take
17 out of 20 credits together, only offering new students 3 credits of flexibility. The College
would like to move to requiring only 8 out of 20 credits in the first year (IST 501 —3 credits,
and IST 590–1 credit in the first semester and IST 590–1 credit, and one of the 3 credit
courses IST 510/520/530 —in the second semester). This change would allow each new
PhD student to take 6 credits of courses they select during their first and second semesters. In
an interdisciplinary graduate program like IST, new PhD students arrive with significantly
different backgrounds and skills. The first year must act as a leveler for the students as they
backfill any deficiencies before moving on to candidacy and research. All students took the
same courses together and were not permitted to engage any of their own educational needs
and thus leveling did not occur. This caused additional problems in the second semester and
during the candidacy exams.
We believe that by allowing new PhD students 6 credits of flexibility each semester the
diverse needs of our new students will be better met and will eventually produce better
researchers.
B. Comparison of Changes Table (Contrast between existing program requirements and the
proposed new requirements).
Semester
First Semester
Second Semester
Current PhD Course
Requirements
IST 501 (6 credits) and
one of three foundations
courses (IST 510, IST 520, or
IST 530) and one credit of
graduate colloquium (IST
590)
Remaining two foundations
courses and second credit of
graduate colloquium.
Proposed PhD Course
Requirements
IST 501 (3 credits) and one
credit of graduate colloquium
(IST 590)
*During student’s first two
semesters, they must take at
least one of the three
foundations courses (IST 510
IST 520, IST 530).
Second credit of graduate
colloquium.
Page 61
C. Copy of the existing Graduate Bulletin description, with all changes marked (with track
changes, for example)
Information Sciences and Technology (IST)
Program Home Page
ANDREW SEARS, Dean, College of Information Sciences and Technology
MARY BETH ROSSON, Associate Dean for Graduate and Undergraduate Studies
Office of the Dean
College of Information Sciences and Technology
The Pennsylvania State University
332 Information Sciences and Technology Building
University Park, PA 16802-6823
Dean's office: 814-865-3528; Graduate office: 814-865-8711
Degrees Conferred
Ph.D., M.S., M.P.S. in Information Sciences
Integrated B.S. in Information Sciences and Technology and M.S. in Information Sciences and
Technology
Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis and M.S. in Information Sciences and Technology
The Graduate Faculty
Program Description
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Information Sciences and Technology offers advanced graduate
education for students contemplating careers in academic teaching and research, or research in a nonacademic setting. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and expects scholarship at the highest level
exhibiting depth of competency in at least one of the core areas of the Information Sciences and
Technology and an understanding of the integration of the critical constructs that drive the field: people,
information, and technology.
The Master of Science in Information Sciences and Technology is an interdisciplinary degree program
that focuses on the theoretical, application-oriented, and educational issues facing a digital, global
economy. The program is designed to build an understanding of how information and technology
fundamentally impact (and are impacted by) people, organizations, and the world community. Topical
areas within IST span a broad range including: human computer interaction, computational techniques,
applications (e.g., bio-informatics and geographical information systems), societal issues (such as digital
divide issues), user issues (e.g., computer-aided cognition), and information systems design and
development providing exposure and grounding in many of the aspects of the information sciences. The
program is especially attractive to students interested in gaining state-of-the-art understanding of
information technology and its use as a solution in multiple venues.
Page 62
The Master of Professional Studies in Information Sciences (MPS-IS) is an innovative program that
targets professionals and organizational leaders who seek a professional education and training program.
The purpose of the professional master’s program is to produce professionals and organizational leaders
who not only can select and draw upon the necessary foundations within the information sciences and
information technology areas, test the applicability of these foundations for addressing a given issue, and
apply the resulting solutions, but also can be aware of the multitude of technological trends and
environmental factors that organizations must address in the changing global economy.
The MPS-IS equips students to:
1. Understand and analyze the profound information and technological changes sweeping the world;
2. Meet challenges by developing innovative solutions using the foundations of information
sciences and technology; and
3. Have a clear advantage in today’s highly competitive and dynamic environment by continuously
learning new trends, issues, and innovations.
Admission Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to general Graduate Council requirements stated in the
GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin. Applicants apply for admission to the
program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Applicants to the Master of Professional Studies Program are required to submit scores from the general
portions of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test
(GMAT), three letters of reference, and a one-three page personal statement of relevant experience and
goals. The GRE or GMAT requirement may be waived for applicants to the Master of Professional
Studies Program at the discretion of the program if the student has five or more years of relevant
information sciences and technology working experience. Applicants to the Ph.D. and M.S. programs are
required to submit scores from the general portions of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), three
letters of reference, a current resume (including present position and any publications), 1 to 3 page
statement of research background and goals related to pursuing an advanced degree and career in IST
which also briefly discusses personal motivation for obtaining a Ph.D. or M.S., and a sample of the
applicant’s writing (e.g., technical paper, etc.).
Because the program is multidisciplinary in nature, students from many different disciplines may be
accepted for entry into the program. A bachelor’s degree in a related area (e.g., engineering and science),
while not necessary for admission, is helpful in the successful completion of the degree. It is expected that
students will have a basic level of competency in statistics, as well as computer and information
technology. Related work experience can be used to demonstrate such competency. A student may be
accepted into the program with provisional status for no more than one year while work is completed to
meet these expectations.
It is expected that the successful applicant will have an overall grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00
scale) or higher for his or her undergraduate study and/or graduate-level study. However,
accomplishments demonstrated through work experience and recommendation letters from the applicant’s
academic adviser or employer will also play an important role in making the admission decision. The
most qualified applicants will be accepted into the program until all spaces for new students are filled.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Page 63
Doctoral Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
section of the Graduate Bulletin.
The doctoral degree in Information Sciences and Technology requires a minimum of 32 credits, including
8 required core credits in IST 501 (3); either IST 510, IST 520, or IST 530 (3); and IST 590 (2). In
addition, doctoral students must take 12 credits of research methodology courses and 12 credits of
specialization courses.
To complete a Ph.D. degree, students must in their first semester take the 3-credit introduction to
interdisciplinary research methods (IST 501) and one credit of graduate colloquium (IST 590). In their
second semester, students must take a second credit of graduate colloquium. During their first two
semesters, students must take at least one of the three foundations courses (IST 510, IST 520, or IST
530).
In addition to these first-year requirements, doctoral students must complete 12 credits of research
methodology courses selected to introduce or increase proficiency in methods relevant to their doctoral
research agenda, and 12 credits of specialization courses, also selected to reinforce their research training.
In addition, all candidates must be competent in the English language and must have demonstrated skills
in the communication of ideas both verbally and in writing commensurate with the requirement of
scholarly and professional work. The candidacy examination will be used as an occasion to assess English
proficiency and plan for remediation (including additional courses, mentoring, or experiences) for all
students. A brief critical literature review in three complementary research areas will be included as part
of the candidacy assessment process. Students must have completed 18 graduate credits before taking the
candidacy exam and must pass the candidacy exam within three semesters. Students must pass the Ph.D.
comprehensive examination after completion of most of the course work, usually at the end of the
student's second year in the program. A research-based dissertation must be completed under the direction
of the doctoral committee, with the student submitting a dissertation proposal and defending that proposal
in the defense examination. To earn the Ph.D. degree, doctoral students must write a dissertation that is
accepted by the doctoral committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School, and the
student must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense).
M.S. Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
section of the Graduate Bulletin.
The M.S. in Information Sciences and Technology requires a minimum of 30 credits at the 400 level or
above, with at least 18 credits at the 500 and 600 series combined; 27 of the 30 credits must be earned at
University Park. A minimum of 12 credits in course work (400, 500, and 800 series), as contrasted with
research, must be completed in the major program. These 30 credits are distributed among the following
requirements:
Core Courses (6 credits). All candidates are expected to develop a broad understanding of the core
constructs of people, information, technology, and the significant interactions among those elements by
taking IST 504 and IST 505.
Page 64
Specialization Courses (12 credits). In consultation with his/her advisor, a candidate is expected to
choose courses in one or more areas customized to support the thesis or scholarly paper. In addition to
advanced courses in IST, a support area could be in law, business, education, engineering, the liberal arts,
science, or any area that is linked to the information sciences.
Research Methods (6 credits). All candidates must develop a basic understanding of the research methods
utilized in the information sciences, by taking at least two research methods courses offered in IST or
elsewhere. The focus of the course must be on the methods being learned rather than application of some
method to a research topic.
Thesis or Scholarly paper (6 credits). Students may choose a thesis or scholarly paper option. Students
who choose the thesis option must register for 6 credits of IST 600 or 610, write a satisfactory thesis
accepted by the master’s committee, the head of the graduate program, and the Graduate School, and pass
a thesis defense. The thesis should focus on a well-defined problem relevant to the information sciences.
Students who choose the scholarly paper option must register for 6 credits of IST 594 and complete a
scholarly paper. The scholarly paper is to be a focused piece of technical work that applies the student's’
expertise and knowledge base, and that is documented and presented as a scholarly paper report. Students
who choose the scholarly paper option must write a scholarly paper that is accepted by their M.S.
committee. An oral presentation is at the discretion of the student's adviser.
IUG Degree Requirements
The Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) program is available for strong undergraduate students
who wish to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a shorter period of time than would be necessary
if the degrees were pursued separately. There are two approved IUG programs: an Integrated B.S. in
Information Sciences and Technology and M.S. in Information Sciences and Technology, and an
Integrated B.S. in Security and Risk Analysis and M.S. in Information Sciences and Technology.
The first two to three years of undergraduate coursework follow the same undergraduate curriculum that
other students follow in the Information Sciences and Technology major. Information Sciences and
Technology undergraduates may apply for admission to the IUG program as early as the end of their
sophomore year but no later than the end of their junior year after completing a minimum of 60 credits, if
they meet the following admission requirements:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Must be enrolled in a College of IST undergraduate degree program.
Must have completed 60 credits of an IST undergraduate degree program.
Must apply to the IUG program by the end of their junior year.
Must apply to and be accepted without reservation into the Graduate School and M.S. program in
IST. Students must complete the Graduate School application.
Must have an overall GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate coursework and a minimum
GPA of 3.5 in all coursework completed for the major.
Must present an approved plan of study. The plan should cover the entire time period of the
integrated program, and it should be reviewed periodically with an adviser.
Must present two letters of recommendation from faculty members. (Note: For Schreyer Honors
College students, these can be the same two letters required by the Schreyer Honors College.)
Must meet with both the Director of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and the Graduate Program
Coordinator to declare interest and receive information about the IUG program.
If admitted to the IUG, the final years of study include graduate courses IST 504 (fall) and IST 505
(spring), plus two semesters of graduate research, six credits of research methods courses, and twelve
Page 65
credits of specialty courses. To earn the M.S. degree, students in the IUG program must complete all of
the degree requirements for the M.S. degree, described above. If students accepted into the IUG program
are unable to complete the M.S. degree, they are still eligible to receive their undergraduate degree if all
the undergraduate degree requirements have been satisfied.
For Schreyer Honors College students, students should follow guidelines and procedures for applying for
an IUG in the Schreyer Honors College.
Students admitted to the IUG program may double-count a maximum of 12 credits to their graduate and
undergraduate degrees in Information Sciences and Technology. The required 6 credits of IST 504 and
IST 505 will apply to both the graduate program and the undergraduate program. Students may choose an
additional 6 credits to double-count for both the undergraduate and graduate degrees from the following:
IST 411, IST 412, IST 413, IST 420, IST 421, IST 431, IST 432.
Credits associated with the thesis or culminating scholarly paper, i.e., IST 600 and IST 594, respectively,
may not be double-counted. However, for Schreyer Honors College students, the Master’s thesis
deliverable, itself, may double-count for the undergraduate thesis deliverable requirement. For specific
course requirements, refer to the IUG M.S. Handbook.
M.P.S. Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
section of the Graduate Bulletin.
The MPS-IS program requires a minimum of 33 credits, 24 of which must be earned at Penn State. A
maximum of 9 transfer credits of high-quality graduate work may be applied toward the requirements for
the degree, subject to restrictions outlined in the Transfer Courses section of the Graduate Bulletin. At
least 18 credits must be courses at the 500 or 800 level, with at least 6 credits at the 500 level. A student
can choose to be in the Base Program or in the Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (CIA) Option.
The 33 credits are distributed among the following requirements. A student first takes 9 credits of core
courses. The student then takes 12 credits of prescribed courses for either the base program or the
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Option. An additional 9 credits are elective courses. Lastly, the
student must complete a master’s project guided by the student’s adviser and completed while enrolled in
IST 594.
Core Courses (9 credits). The core of the MPS-IS consists of three courses -- IST 852, IST 554, and IST
816. These courses represent the core technical foundations to study Information Sciences and
Technology.
The Base Program (12 credits of prescribed courses and 9 credits of electives). The base program
consists of four required courses - IST 815, IST 521, IST 532, and IST 564 - and 9 credits of elective
courses, in addition to the 9-credit core and 3-credit capstone course. It is designed for students who do
not have a special interest in mind. The elective courses are chosen in consultation with the student’s
adviser. Hence, it offers the flexibility that enables the student to build an in-depth knowledge and skills
about information sciences tailored to his/her interests and background. Students from the Harrisburg
region can also select courses from Penn State Harrisburg to fulfill the prescribed courses (by
substitution) and 9 credits of electives.
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (CIA) Option (12 credits of prescribed courses and 9 credits of
electives). The CIA option consists of four prescribed courses, IST 815, IST 555, IST456 , and IST 885,
Page 66
and 9 credits of elective courses selected from a list of approved electives available from the program
office, in addition to the 9-credit core and 3-credit capstone courses. These courses enable the student to
focus on developing knowledge and skills for information analysis, information assurance, and decision
support, including theories, techniques, and applications of data mining, data fusion, information search,
information security, and intelligent resource allocation.
Master Project (3 credits). The project requires all students in the MPS-IS to focus on a well-defined
issue or problem relevant to the information sciences and technology. The student will submit a project
proposal to his/her faculty adviser for approval. Upon completion of the project, the student will share or
present the project results at a final presentation as a component of IST 594.
Student Aid
Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid are described
in the Student Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to
the course load limits set forth in the Graduate Bulletin.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses
numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by
graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit
these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet
requirements for an advanced degree.
INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY (IST) course list
D. Written Evidence of Consultation.
N/A. The change that we are proposing in the degree requirements will not need consultation
from any outside units since it only affects the program itself. Proposed changes were voted
upon by the IST faculty and approved.
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Penn State Harrisburg
School of Business Administration
M. S. Information Systems (MSIS) Program Change Proposal
Revised, April 26, 2016
For questions/comments, contact the MSIS Program at Penn State Harrisburg, 717-948-6140
or [email protected].
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Executive Summary
•
The entry to program requirements of the M. S. Information Systems (MSIS) program at
Penn State Harrisburg is revised to keep in line with its sister program, the MBA. As the
MSIS program is offered within the School of Business and MBA students take the MSIS
courses, this change is needed. The current MSIS program at Harrisburg requires both
calculus and statistics as entry requirements, in addition to computer skills and
communication skills. The MSIS program is replacing calculus with a college-level
mathematics course as an entry to program requirement, and moving statistics from being
an entry to program requirement to a pre-program requirement. This is to make entry and
pre-program requirements of the MSIS program consistent with the requirements of the
MBA program.
•
The MBA program replaced all two-credit courses with three-credit courses. As a result,
the MSIS program is changing its pre-program requirement of 9 credits of business
coursework as BUS 505 and 6 credits from management, economics and accounting
(MNGMT 511, BUSEC 502, ACCT 501).
•
The MSIS program proposes the offering of a data analytics track which would
effectively complement the business analytics track offered by the MBA program. A
large number of the courses in both the analytics tracks are electives from the MSIS
program.
•
In a careful review of the program and our core competencies, the MSIS program faculty
feel that it is no longer feasible to offer the life sciences and healthcare administration
options given the low enrollment in the options. Hence, we propose dropping these two
options so we can focus more effort on the MSIS program and the data analytics track.
Justification for changes. The changes to entry and pre-program requirements are needed
due to the revised MBA program. The addition of the data analytics track supports the core
competency of the MSIS program and complements the MBA’s business analytics track.
Due to low enrollment in the two options, it is not feasible to continue to offer the options.
These changes were reviewed and approved by the IT board of advisers at our campus.
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I. Highlights of program change
a. Entry to program requirements
Current Program
Analytical skills requirement
• Calculus
• Statistics
Computer skills requirement
Communication skills requirement
Proposed Program
Analytical skills requirement
• A college-level mathematics course
• Move from an entry requirement to a preprogram requirement (BUS 505)
[No change]
[No change]
b. Pre-program requirements (foundation courses)
Current Program
Course
BUS 505 Data Analysis for
Business Decisions
ACCT 501 Financial Statement
Analysis
BUSEC 502 Prices, Markets and
Competitive Strategy
MNGMT 511 Organizational
Behavior
Credits
2
3
Proposed Program
Course
Credits
BUS 505 Data Analysis for
3
Business Decisions
Select 6 credits from: ACCT
6
501 Financial Statement
Analysis; BUSEC 502
Economics for Managers ;
MNGMT 511
Organizational Behavior
2
2
c. Addition of Data Analytics track to current program
d.
Drop Healthcare Management and Delivery and Lifesciences options from current
program
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Revision to the Graduate Bulletin
Information Systems (INFSY)
Program Home Page (Opens New Window)
GIRISH H. SUBRAMANIAN, Program Director
Penn State Harrisburg
School of Business Administration
777 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898
717-948-6140
[email protected]
Degree Conferred
M.S.
The Graduate Faculty
The Program
Operating under the auspices of the School of Business Administration, Penn State
Harrisburg's master’s degree program in information systems is designed to meet the rapidly
increasing need for technically grounded, upper-level information resources managers within
business organizations. With the exception of a small percentage of students who are fulltime, the students served by the M.S.I.S. program are employees of area businesses, state and
local governments, and not-for-profit organizations who study on a part-time basis. In order
to accommodate both full- and part-time students, courses are primarily offered in the
evening.
The two-fold nature of the program requires a manager to have competence both in
information technology and in management theory; therefore, the curriculum combines the
highly technical content of information science with the managerial emphasis of information
systems. Unlike computer science programs, which tend to focus on computer hardware and
architecture, this program is organized around applied computer-based activities, the
development of communication skills, and managerial principles.
Admission Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the GENERAL
INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin. Applicants apply for admission to the
program via the Graduate School application for admission.
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Admission decisions are based primarily on undergraduate junior-senior grade-point average
and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) scores or Graduate Record Exam
(GRE) scores. Post-baccalaureate course work, professional experience, and the statements
provided in the application are also taken into account.
Students are required to submit the following:
•
•
•
•
a completed Graduate School application with application fee;
two copies of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended;
official scores from the GMAT test or GRE test (the test must have been taken within the
past five years); and
letters of recommendation (optional).
Application Dates
Candidates may enter the program at the beginning of the fall, spring, or summer session. To
allow time for applications to be processed, all information, including GMAT or GRE score,
must be received by Graduate Enrollment Services no later than July 18 for admission to the
fall semester, November 18 for admission to the spring semester, and April 18 for admission
to the summer session.
Applicants from outside the United States must follow the early admission dates in order to
allow the necessary clearances and paperwork to be processed in time. International
application deadline dates are:
•
•
•
Fall Semester--May 31
Spring Semester--September 30
Summer Session--February 28
To be considered for a graduate assistantship, applicants must submit a complete application
by March 1.
Entry Requirements
Analytic Skills Requirement: Prior to enrolling in their M.S.I.S. course work, students are
required to demonstrate competence in Analytic skills. This requirement may be
demonstrated by: (1) satisfactory completion of a college-level mathematics course or (2)
successful completion of a mathematics proficiency examination approved by the M.S.I.S.
program. This requirement must be taken either during the first semester or summer session
before the student's matriculation and completed with a grade of C or better.
Computer Skills Requirement: Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in the use of
computer applications. This requirement can be satisfied through completion of a collegelevel computer applications or information systems course within the past five years with a
grade of B or higher or by documented significant computer-related work experience. If this
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requirement has not been met prior to admission, a college-level computer-based information
systems course such as MIS 204 is required. Course work must be taken either during the
first semester or summer session before the student's matriculation and completed with a
grade of B or higher.
Communication Skills Requirement: Successful completion of the M.S.I.S. program requires
the ability to think clearly and to write and speak persuasively. Part of this requirement can
be met by obtaining a score of "4" or more on the Graduate Management Admission Test
(GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). If this
score is not achieved, students must satisfy this requirement through additional course work
in writing skills or other work developed in consultation with the M.S.I.S. Program. This
requirement must be satisfied during the first semester or summer session before the student's
matriculation and completed with a grade of B or higher. The speech component of this
requirement is satisfied through individual and group presentations in courses in the M.S.I.S.
Program.
Pre-Program Requirement: The Pre-program requirement provides a basic foundation in
theory, tools, and techniques required for the management of profit and non-profit
organizations. It also provides a basic understanding of applications of financial accounting,
the creation and distribution of goods and services, business and how people relate to others
in various organizations, helping to merge two related disciplines: business and information
systems. Students who have completed the appropriate pre-program courses previously must
have completed the courses with a grade of B or higher within seven years prior to
admission, or through equivalent graduate course work completed with a B or higher within
seven years prior to admission, or college level course work validated by recent work
experience. Students who have not met these tests of relevancy, grade, or currency prior to
admission to the program must take these courses at the graduate level and early in program.
Pre-Program Requirement: 9 credits
BUS 505 and select 6 credits from: ACCT 501, MGMT 511, BUSEC 502
Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
The M.S.I.S. degree program requires, excluding pre-program requirements, 30 credits of
course work at the 500 or 800 level, with a minimum of 18 credits at the 500 level. The
M.S.I.S. degree requires 9 credits of prescribed courses: INFSY 535 Object-Oriented Design
and Program Development in Business (3), INFSY 540 Information Technology and
Knowledge Management (3), and INFSY 554 Master’s Project (3). Students are also required
to take 15 credits of Information Systems courses from an approved list available in the
program office. Students also must take 6 credits of electives from the 500-level courses
offered by Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Business Administration. The INFSY 554
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Master’s Project course involves development of an original master’s project in the student’s
field of interest and preparation of a scholarly paper.
Data Analytics Track: The objective of this Track is to provide the student with data
analytical skills that enable them to gain data insights and transform data into strategic
decisions.
In consultation with their adviser, a student shall select 9 credits from the following:
BUS 510 Business Analytics and Decision Modeling (3)
INFSY 555 Data Management Systems (3)
INFSY 556 Data Warehousing (3)
INFSY 565 Intelligent Systems in Business (3)
INFSY 566 Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery (3)
INFSY 547 Web Enabled Technologies (3)
Transfer Credits
Penn State allows a maximum of 10 transfer credits of high-quality graduate work to be
applied toward the requirements for a graduate degree, subject to restrictions outlined in the
Transfer Courses section of the Graduate Bulletin. It must be the opinion of the reviewing
faculty that these courses are equivalent in quality to those offered at Penn State Harrisburg.
Credit will not be given for any class used to complete a previous degree.
Course Substitutions
Because some students enter the Program with advanced knowledge in one or more subject
areas, up to six credits in prescribed or additional courses may be replaced with more
advanced graduate courses in the same subject area. Except for INFSY 554, which must be
taken at the College, INFSY prescribed and additional courses, in cases where there is
equivalent knowledge, must be replaced with more advanced courses in the same field.
Substitutions are based on a minimum of six credits of advanced undergraduate course work
in an area of concentration or credits earned in an equivalent graduate-level program at a
regionally accredited, college-level institution. These courses must have been completed
within the past five years and have earned a grade of B or better. Substituted courses must be
replaced with other advanced graduate courses in the field for which the substitute is the
foundation/prerequisite. Substitutions are based on past academic performance. An
examination cannot be used for earned graduate course credit.
Grade-Point Average and Time Limit
A 3.00 (out of 4.00) minimum grade-point average is required for the award of the M.S.I.S.
degree. All course work must be completed within eight years of admission to degree status.
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CONCURRENT DEGREE OFFERINGS WITH THE PENN STATE
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES GRADUATE
PROGRAM
Penn State Harrisburg, School of Business Administration
The Penn State College of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Graduate Program
Degrees Conferred
Ph.D. (College of Medicine)
M.S.I.S. (Penn State Harrisburg)
Concurrent Degree Programs
The Penn State College of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, and the School
of Business Administration of Penn State Harrisburg offer cooperative programs leading to
the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) to be granted by the Penn State College of
Medicine, and the Master of Science in Information Systems (M.S.I.S.) to be granted by
Penn State Harrisburg. These concurrent degree opportunities facilitate the completion of
both a pharmacology doctorate and a professional degree in information systems. The
programs are designed primarily for students interested in pursuing a career involving highquality independent research and positions of management responsibility within the
pharmacological community.
Admission Requirements
The concurrent programs require that the student first be admitted to the biomedical sciences
program. Subsequently, the student is recommended for and applies for admission to the
Graduate School for the Penn State Harrisburg M.S.I.S. program.
The following are required for applicants:
Biomedical Sciences: Completed application; Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Score; A
bachelor's degree reflecting a reasonable background in zoology or biology, mathematics and
chemistry; a minimum junior/senior grade point average of 3.00 and with appropriate course
backgrounds; two letters of recommendation; a curriculum vitae; a description of career
goals. Reading knowledge of one or two foreign languages is recommended.
M.S.I.S. Programs: Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate
School, as well as those listed in the Admission Requirements section above for the Master
of Science degree. In addition, a letter of recommendation from the department chair of the
biomedical sciences program is required.
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No courses from the M.S.I.S. program may count toward the Ph.D. until the student is
admitted to the biomedical sciences program. However, graduate-level courses taken in the
M.S.I.S. program at Penn State Harrisburg or at another graduate-level institution may be
applied to the M.S.I.S. in accordance with the transfer policies of Graduate Council.
It is anticipated that most students in the concurrent programs will require additional
graduate credits in order to satisfy the entry and pre-program requirements in business
administration. To earn the M.S. degree in Information Systems, students in the concurrent
degree program must complete all of the degree requirements for the M.S. degree, described
above. Six credits of biomedical sciences core requirement credits may be double-counted
toward the M.S.I.S., and four credits of M.S.I.S. course work may be double-counted towards
the BMS Ph.D. The six credits from BMS that are eligible to be double-counted are BMS
502 (3) and BMS 503 (3). The four credits of MSIS program that are eligible to be doublecounted are the INFSY 540 (3) and INFSY 596 (1). Students must obtain a grade satisfactory
to the program in order for the credits to be double-counted.
All students in the concurrent program have two advisers, one in the School of Business
Administration and one from the faculty in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program.
Because the concurrent program is designed to be taken in synchrony with the objective that
both degrees will be earned simultaneously, students who do not demonstrate progress
toward completion of both degrees may be denied continuation in the concurrent program.
Such a decision will rest jointly with the faculties of the M.S.I.S. and the Ph.D. programs. If
students accepted into the concurrent degree program are unable to complete the Ph.D.
degree, they are still eligible to receive the M.S.I.S. degree if all the M.S.I.S. degree
requirements have been satisfied.
The Course Matrix
For more information and the latest updates on the concurrent programs, call the Biomedical
Sciences Graduate Program at 717-531-1045 or visit the websites at: Biomedical Sciences
Graduate Program and Penn State Harrisburg.
Student Aid
Graduate assistantships available to students in this program and other forms of student aid
are described in the Student Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin. There are a limited number
of scholarships, fellowships, and research grants available, as well as several graduate
assistantships. For more information on these, contact Penn State Harrisburg’s School of
Business Administration.
Many students work full-time and take classes part-time. In many cases, employers have a
tuition-reimbursement plan paying for partial or full tuition. To find other options available
to you, contact one of the following offices: Financial Aid Office, 717-948-6307 or
Admissions, 717-948-6250.
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Graduate School Assistantships
Full time graduate students who are interested in an assistantship should contact the graduate
program coordinator. Students must be nominated for an assistantship by their program
coordinator. Students applying for an assistantship should submit scores from the Graduate
Management Admissions Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or similar
examinations by January 30. Students on graduate assistantships must adhere to the course
load limits set forth in the Graduate Bulletin.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate
courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree
requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A
graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to
fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BUSAD) course list
INFORMATION SYSTEMS (INFSY) course list
Page 78
Consultation Report
Consultation request below.
Dear Colleagues: The M. S. Information Systems (MSIS) program in the School of Business
at Penn State Harrisburg is undergoing a revision. I am sending this email to obtain
consultation and support from you. The detailed proposal with the executive summary is
attached.
The key changes are summarized below.
The MSIS program is replacing calculus with a college-level mathematics course as an entry
to program requirement, and moving statistics from being an entry to program requirement to
a pre-program requirement. This is to make entry and pre-program requirements of the MSIS
program consistent with the requirements of our MBA program.
The MBA program replaced all two-credit courses with three-credit courses. As a result, the
MSIS program is changing its pre-program requirement of 9 credits of business coursework
as BUS 505 and 6 credits from management, economics and accounting (MNGMT 511,
BUSEC 502, ACCT 501).
The MSIS program proposes the offering of a data analytics track which would effectively
complement the business analytics track offered by our MBA program.
The MSIS program faculty feel that it is no longer feasible to offer the life sciences and
healthcare administration options given the low enrollment in the options and hence are
dropping these options.
Your support is much appreciated and I would like to get a response from you by the end of
Fall semester so we can move forward in Spring 2016.
Thanks,
Girish
The consultations were sent by email on Nov 17th with a reminder sent on Dec 4th to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Dr. Sedig Agili
Dr. Peter Idowu
Dr. Karen Duhala, Penn State Great Valley, Management
Dr. Alfred Warner, Director of Penn State Behrend MBA
Dr. Ashutosh Deshmukh, Penn State Behrend, School of Business, iMBA Director
Dr. Andrew Sears, College of IST
Dr. Lisa Shantz, Director Biomedical Sciences program
Dr. Colin J. Neill, Penn State Great Valley Engineering
Page 79
9. Dr. Dennis Sheehan, Penn State Smeal College of Business
10. Dr. Linda Null, Dr. Thang Bui, Dr. Jeremy Blum
11. Dr. Cheryl Gallagher, Penn State Law
12. Dr. Amy Gaudion, Dickinson Law
13. Dr. Raj Acharya, Computer Science and Engineering
Dear Girish,
Penn State Law (University Park) supports the attached changes to the MSIS degree program
at Penn State Harrisburg. The proposed changes have no apparent effect on the joint
JD/MSIS program.
Please note that my response is only on behalf of Penn State Law (University Park). If you
wish to seek support from Dickinson Law, located in Carlisle, you should contact Pam
Knowlton, the Registrar at that school. Her email address is [email protected]
Thank you! Cheri
Cheryl ("Cheri") Gallagher
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
Penn State Law and School of International Affairs
Lewis Katz Building
University Park, PA 16802
P: 814-863-8375
F: 814-863-7274
[email protected]
Dear Dr. Subramanian,
Penn State’s Dickinson Law supports the attached changes to the MSIS degree program at Penn
State Harrisburg. The proposed changes have no apparent effect on the joint JD/MSIS program.
Best regards,
Amy
_________________________________
Amy C. Gaudion
Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
The Pennsylvania State University
The Dickinson Law | Dickinson Law
Lewis Katz Hall
150 S. College Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
717.240.5216
Page 80
[email protected]
Professor Subramanian,
The proposed changes are fine with me.
Regards,
Dennis Sheehan
-----------------------------------------------Dennis P. Sheehan
Benzak Professor of Finance
Smeal College of Business
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3072
Girish:
I support the proposal. I think the changes that you have suggested are necessary, and will
support the future growth of the program.
All the best.
-Ash
--------------------------------------------------Ashutosh (Ash) Deshmukh
Chair, iMBA Program
Chair, Department of Accounting & MIS
Black School of Business
Penn State - The Behrend College
Phone: (814) 898-6712
Fax: (814) 898-6528
---------------------------------------------------
Girish,
I’ve been working to get feedback for you regarding this proposal.
I think the key message is simply that the College of IST has been engaged in what we
believe is a complementary effort. At this point a preliminary document has been developed
that we expect will lead to a proposal for an MS in Data Sciences. This is expected to be a
collaborative offering involving several units and colleges.
Page 81
So, we really just wanted to give you a heads up that a complementary proposal will be
coming forward soon and we will of course be share with you for consultation. In general, we
see the planned MS in Data Sciences to be more technically oriented, but we will likely be
reaching out to see if we might be able to coordinate some course offerings where it makes
sense. For example, there may be courses that could be used by students in both programs.
Andrew
--Andrew Sears
Dean and Professor
College of Information Sciences and Technology
and
Interim Chief Information Security Officer
The Pennsylvania State University
332 Information Sciences and Technology Building
University Park, PA 16802
+1 814 865 3528
[email protected]
Page 82
Page 83
Table of Contents
I. Justification for Proposed Changes………………………………………………
2
II. Overview of Program Changes: Side by Side Comparison……………
4
III. Description of Proposed Changes………………………………………………. 6
A. Double Counting of Courses…………………………………………. 6
B. Admissions Requirements……………………………………………. 7
C. Time of Admission to the Program………………………………. 8
D. Sample Plan of Study…………………………………………………… 9
E. Advising of Students……………………………………………………
10
V. Proposed Graduate Bulletin………………………………………………………… 11
VI. Proposed Graduate Bulletin in Track Changes……………………………
20
VIII. Letters of Support……………………………………………………………………. 29
(1) Vernon M. Chinchilli, PhD…………………………………………………… 30
(2) Roger McCarter, PhD………………………………………………………….. 31
(3) Marianne Hillemeier, PhD…………………………………………………… 32
(4) David Hunter, PhD………………………………………………………………. 34
IX. Student Handbook……………………………………………………………………… 36
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I.
Justification for Proposed Changes
We respectfully submit this program change proposal to offer an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate
(IUG) degree program between the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Public Health program at Penn
State College of Medicine in Hershey and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biobehavioral Health (BB H)
program at University Park. This program change proposal is in accordance with the Graduate Council’s
policy, Information and Guidelines for Establishing Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) Degree
Programs at http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/iugs/.
This proposal will allow for the following 12 credits of graduate course work to be applied to the B.S. and
M.P.H. degrees:
• PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics (3 credits) or STAT 500: Applied Statistics (3 credits)
• PHS 504: Behavioral Health Intervention Strategies (3 credits) or BB H 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3 credits)
• PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits) or STAT 507: Epidemiologic Research Methods (3
credits)
• PHS 571: Health Systems Organization and Delivery (3 credits) or HPA 520: Introduction to
Health Systems Organizations and Delivery (3 credits)
While the PHS-designated courses can only be completed in Hershey, the STAT-, BB H-, and HPAdesignated courses can be completed at the University Park campus; the STAT-designated courses also
can be completed online via World Campus.
Changes to the M.P.H. in Public Health program are being proposed at this time to (1) better address the
public health workforce shortage by expediting the pace at which highly qualified, well-prepared
students in public health can enter the public health workforce; and (2) establish a cohesive and
coordinated pipeline with an undergraduate major that closely aligns with public health.
Address the public health workforce shortage. This proposed IUG will expedite the pace at which highly
qualified, well-prepared students can enter the public health workforce. The public health profession
currently faces a workforce shortage, in part, due to the large proportion of public health professionals
who are aging into retirement. Previous reports have estimated that by 2012, approximately onequarter of the existing public health workforce will have retired (Rosenstock, 2008). Further, the Public
Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey of 2014 found that approximately one-quarter of state
public health employees “…are considering leaving their job within the next year” (Liss-Levinson, 2015).
Recommendations on expediting the recruitment of new talent into the public health workforce include
mechanisms that allow individuals to pursue formal public health training opportunities at a reduced
cost and in a shorter length of time than what might typically be required (Hilliard, 2012). The IUG is one
model that meets this recommendation.
Establish a cohesive and coordinated pipeline. B.S. in BB H students receive substantial undergraduate
training in public health, including in the foundational public health areas of statistics, epidemiology,
health promotion and disease prevention, and the determinants of health. B.S. in BB H students are,
thus, well-prepared for advanced study in public health, and many pursue M.P.H. degree programs
following graduation. Of the M.P.H. in Public Health’s 82 current students and alumni, 8 (~10%) came to
Page 85
the program from the B.S. in BB H degree program. One of these alumni successfully completed the
graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe through the Schreyer Honors College’s IUG mechanism.
The proposed IUG degree program between the M.P.H. in Public Health and the B.S. in BB H degree
programs would create a cohesive and coordinated pipeline by establishing a structured, formalized
pathway through which a subset of highly qualified, well-prepared B.S. in BB H students pursue the
M.P.H. in Public Health degree.
References:
Hilliard, T. B. (2012). Public health workforce research in review: a 25-year retrospective. American
Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(5S1), S1-S28.
Liss-Levinson, R. B. (2015, November/December). Loving and Leaving Public Health: Predictors of
Intentions to Quit Among State Health Agency Workers. Journal of Public Health Management &
Practice, 21, S91-S101.
Rosenstock, L. S. (2008). On Linkages: Confronting the Public Health Workforce Crisis: Asph Statement
on the Public Health Workforce. Public Health Reports, 123(3), 395-398.
Page 86
II.
Overview of Program Changes: Side by Side Comparison
The table below and continued on the next page provides a side-by-side comparison of the current MPH
in Public Health curriculum (45 credits) and proposed IUG curriculum (45 credits). As can be noted, the
graduate curricula for the standalone MPH degree student and the IUG student are identical. Courses
below are presented as follows: course number: title (credit total) (campus).
Current Curriculum (45 credits)
1. Core Didactic MPH Courses (21 credits)
• PHS 504: Behavioral Health Intervention
Strategies (3) (Hershey) or BB H 504: Behavioral
Health Intervention Strategies (3) (University
Park)
• PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics (3) (Hershey)
or STAT 500: Applied Statistics (3) (University
Park or World Campus)
• PHS 536: Health Survey Research Methods (3)
(Hershey)
• PHS 542: Environmental Health Sciences (3)
(Hershey)
• PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology (3)
(Hershey) or STAT 507: Epidemiologic Research
Methods (3) (University Park or World Campus)
• PHS 571: Health Services Organization and
Delivery (3) (Hershey) or HPA 520: Introduction
to Health Services Organizations and Delivery
(3) (University Park)
• PHS 501: Principles of Public Health (3)
(Hershey)
2. Practicum Experience (3 credits)
• PHS 895A: Master of Public Health Internship (3)
(Hershey)
3. Culminating Experience (3 credits)
• PHS 894: Capstone Experience (3) (Hershey)
Proposed IUG Curriculum (45 credits)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
PHS 504: Behavioral Health Intervention
Strategies (3) (Hershey) or BB H 504: Behavioral
Health Intervention Strategies (3) (University
Park)
PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics (3) (Hershey)
or STAT 500: Applied Statistics (3) (University
Park or World Campus)
PHS 536: Health Survey Research Methods (3)
(Hershey)
PHS 542: Environmental Health Sciences (3)
(Hershey)
PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology (3)
(Hershey) or STAT 507: Epidemiologic Research
Methods (3) (University Park or World Campus)
PHS 571: Health Services Organization and
Delivery (3) (Hershey) or HPA 520: Introduction
to Health Services Organizations and Delivery
(3) (University Park)
PHS 501: Principles of Public Health (3)
(Hershey)
•
PHS 895A: Master of Public Health Internship (3)
(Hershey)
•
PHS 894: Capstone Experience (3) (Hershey)
Page 87
Current Curriculum (45 credits)
4. Electives (18 credits)
• Students may (1) select from a pre-approved list
of electives or (2) propose alternate electives
for consideration and approval by the program.
•
Students may (1) select from a pre-approved list
of electives or (2) propose alternate electives
for consideration and approval by the program.
•
•
In addition to fulfilling the 18-credit elective
requirement by selecting courses from the preapproved list or by proposing alternate courses
for consideration, students may specialize in a
track for depth of training by selecting a specific
configuration of pre-approved electives.
Examples of tracks include:
• Community and Behavioral Health
o PHS 505: Public Health Program
Planning and Evaluation (3)
o PHS 506: Behavioral Health Intervention
Strategies II (3)
o PHS 807: Public Health Education
Methods (3)
In addition to fulfilling the 18-credit elective
requirement by selecting courses from the preapproved list or by proposing alternate courses
for consideration, students may specialize in a
track for depth of training by selecting a specific
configuration of pre-approved electives.
Examples of tracks include:
• Community and Behavioral Health
o PHS 505: Public Health Program
Planning and Evaluation (3)
o PHS 506: Behavioral Health Intervention
Strategies II (3)
o PHS 807: Public Health Education
Methods (3)
Proposed IUG Curriculum (45 credits)
•
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
o PHS 521: Applied Biostatistics (3)
o PHS 522: Multivariate Biostatistics (3)
o PHS 551: Advanced Epidemiological
Methods (3)
o PHS 580: Clinical Trials Design and
Analysis (3)
o PHS 801: Data Management (1)
•
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
o PHS 521: Applied Biostatistics (3)
o PHS 522: Multivariate Biostatistics (3)
o PHS 551: Advanced Epidemiological
Methods (3)
o PHS 580: Clinical Trials Design and
Analysis (3)
o PHS 801: Data Management (1)
•
Health Systems Organization and Policy
o PHS 535: Quality of Care Measurement
(3)
o PHS 537: Health Policy and Law (3)
o PHS 540: Decision Analysis (1)
o PHS 570: Health Economics and
Economic Evaluation (3)
•
Health Systems Organization and Policy
o PHS 535: Quality of Care Measurement
(3)
o PHS 537: Health Policy and Law (3)
o PHS 540: Decision Analysis (1)
o PHS 570: Health Economics and
Economic Evaluation (3)
Page 88
III.
Description of Proposed Changes
A. Double-Counting of Courses
This proposal will allow for the following 12 credits of graduate course work to be applied to the B.S. and
M.P.H. degrees:
• PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics (3 credits) or STAT 500: Applied Statistics (3 credits)
• PHS 504: Behavioral Health Intervention Strategies (3 credits) or BB H 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3 credits)
• PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits) or STAT 507: Epidemiologic Research Methods (3
credits)
• PHS 571: Health Systems Organization and Delivery (3 credits) or HPA 520: Introduction to
Health Systems Organizations and Delivery (3 credits)
The PHS-designated courses must be completed in Hershey, but the STAT-, BB H-, and HPA-designated
courses can be completed at the University Park campus; the STAT-designated courses also can be
completed online via World Campus. Given the primary location of B.S. in Biobehavioral Health
students, we anticipate that the majority of IUG students will choose the BB H-, STAT-, and HPAdesignated courses at University Park or the STAT-designated course online via World Campus. The
M.P.H. in Public Health program has obtained support from the Heads of the Department of Statistics
and the Department of Health Policy and Administration for IUG students to enroll in their respective
courses at University Park. Furthermore, the Head of the Department of Statistics has provided support
for IUG students to enroll in the World Campus versions of STAT 500 and STAT 507. We will work closely
with both departments to ensure that all course options will be offered.
These double counted courses will fulfill the following B.S. in BB H curricular requirements:
Double Counted Course
PHS 504 or BB H 504
PHS 520 or STAT 500
PHS 550 or STAT 507
PHS 571 or HPA 520
Will
Fulfill
B.S. in BB H Requirement
3 of 15 credits of BB H electives
3 of 12 credits of university-wide offerings
BB H 440
3 of 9 credits of Human and Developmental Sciences
Page 89
B. Admissions Requirements
Admission to the IUG is dependent on admission to the Graduate School at Penn State and the M.P.H. in
Public Health degree program. The requirements below are in addition to the Graduate School’s
requirements for admission.
To be eligible to apply to the IUG program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Requirements Guidelines
GPA
• Cumulative GPA: 3.25 or greater
• GPA in BB H major courses: 3.0 or greater
Education
• Enrollment in the B.S. in BB H degree program
• Completion of the following courses: BB H 101, BB H 311 or BB H 316, STAT
200 or STAT 250, PSYCH 100, BIOL 110, BIOL 141
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will continue monitor the academic performance of undergraduate
students who apply and are admitted to the IUG program. If students fall below the GPA requirements
during the undergraduate portion of the IUG plan of study, they may be put on probation or terminated
from the IUG program altogether.
IUG application requirements include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Completed online Penn State Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
Resume or curriculum vitae
Statement of purpose
Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s undergraduate academic
adviser that proves the academic adviser has worked with the student to develop a draft IUG
plan of study
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Preliminary draft plan of study
Page 90
C. Time of Admission to the Program
Students may begin applying to the IUG in the spring semester of their sophomore year but no later
than the middle of the spring semester of their junior year of the B.S. in BB H degree program. The IUG
will officially begin in the fall semester of the student’s senior year of the B.S. in BB H degree program.
This is in accordance with the Graduate Council’s policy on IUG programs (available at
http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/iugs), which states “Students shall be
admitted to an IUG program no earlier than the beginning of the third semester of undergraduate study
at Penn State (regardless of transfer or AP credits accumulated prior to enrollment) and no later than
the end of the second week of the semester preceding the semester of expected conferral of the
undergraduate degree, as specified in the proposed IUG plan of study.”
Page 91
D. Sample Plan of Study
A sample plan of study with double counting is presented below. Courses are presented as follows:
course prefix and number: course title (credits). The M.P.H. courses listed in year 4 will double count for
both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees. Semesters in which programs do not require course
work are blocked off.
Year
1
2
3
Program
IUG Course work by Semester
Fall
B.S. in BB H
Spring
Summer
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum
M.P.H.
B.S. in BB H
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum
M.P.H.
B.S. in BB H
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum
M.P.H.
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum plus:
4
B.S. in BB H
PHS 520: Principles of
Biostatistics (3) or STAT 500:
Applied Statistics (3)
PHS 571: Health Systems
Organization and Delivery (3)
or HPA 520: Introduction to
Health Systems Organizations
and Delivery (3)
PHS 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3) or
BB H 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3)
PHS 550: Principles of
Epidemiology (3) or STAT 507:
Epidemiologic Research
Methods (3)
PHS 501: Principles of Public
Health (3)
PHS 536: Health Survey
Research Methods (3)
Electives (6)
PHS 542: Environmental Health
Sciences (3)
PHS 895A: Master of Public
Health Internship (3)
Electives (6)
M.P.H.
B.S. in BB H
5
M.P.H.
PHS 894: Capstone Experience
(3)
Electives (6)
It is important to note that this sample plan represents the minimum time required to complete the B.S.
in BB H and M.P.H. in Public Health. Also, while this is a typical plan of study, it may not reflect the
individual experiences of all IUG students. Individualized plans of study will be created for each student
who enrolls in the IUG program. In accordance with the Graduate Council’s policy on IUG programs
(available at http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/iugs), the individualized plan of
study will be created by the undergraduate student in consultation with his/her undergraduate
academic adviser. A preliminary draft of the plan, which will include the entire time period of the IUG
program, will be submitted by the student with the Graduate School application for admission. Prior to
Page 92
being admitted to the IUG, the M.P.H. in Public Health program will work with the student and his/her
undergraduate academic adviser to finalize the plan of study. The plan will be reviewed each semester
with the student’s advisers. Also, in the development of the plan, in accordance with the Graduate
Council’s policy on IUG programs, B.S. in BB H students in the IUG program will “…be advised to fulfill
basic undergraduate requirements first so that if, for some reason, they cannot continue in the
integrated program they will be able to receive their undergraduate degree without a significant loss of
time.”
E. Advising of Students
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will assign IUG students with an academic adviser. This adviser is in
addition to the one assigned to them as undergraduate students enrolled in the B.S. in BB H degree
program. The M.P.H. in Public Health adviser will be a faculty member from the Department of Public
Health Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA who is a member of the Graduate
Faculty. The academic adviser will be assigned upon entry into the M.P.H. degree program. If advisers
are on different campuses than their respective students, they will communicate with their students
through a combination of videoconferencing (via Skype or other mechanism), phone, email, and in
person meetings.
Page 93
IV.
Proposed Graduate Bulletin
Public Health (PH)
Program Home Page
VERNON M. CHINCHILLI, Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences
College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, PA 17033
717-531-7178
Degrees Conferred:
M.P.H., Dr.P.H.
Integrated B.S. in Biobehavioral Health and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Joint M.D./M.P.H.
The Graduate Faculty
The Program
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Public Health program is a professional degree program that
builds knowledge and skills in the five core areas of public health: biostatistics, environmental health
sciences, epidemiology, health services administration, and social and behavioral sciences. In addition,
the M.P.H. in Public Health program advances expertise in community and behavioral health,
epidemiology and biostatistics, and health systems organization and policy. The M.P.H. degree leads to
careers in a wide variety of fields and settings, including local, state, and federal government agencies;
health care settings; health insurance industry; health services networks; nonprofits; and the
pharmaceutical industry.
The Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) in Public Health is a professional degree program that provides
advanced public health education and training to prepare its graduates for evidence-based practice and
leadership in the application of translational science and implementation research findings. It allows
graduates to pursue career opportunities in the federal, state, and local government, as well as in the
non-profit, academic, and private sectors. Educationally it places an emphasis on discovery, teaching,
integration, and application with a primary purpose of bridging research and practice to protect and
improve the public’s health. The Dr.P.H. builds on Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) competency domains
and, as a professional degree, integrates public health practice and project-based learning with local,
state, and federal networks to enrich learning in health policy and program development and
implementation. Dr.P.H. program of study includes course work, an advanced field experience, and
integrative doctoral research and provides an opportunity for further specialization within a specified
cognate.
Admission Requirements
Page 94
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Requirements listed here are in addition to general Graduate Council requirements stated in the
GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin.
M.P.H. Admission Requirements
Admission to the Penn State M.P.H. Program is granted jointly by the M.P.H. Program and the Graduate
School at Penn State.
For admission to the M.P.H. Program, applicants must submit:
• Completed online Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Official scores from one of the following standardized tests taken within the past five years;
Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Standardized Test Requirement Waiver 1: This requirement is waived for applicants who have an
advanced degree beyond the baccalaureate.
Standardized Test Requirement Waiver 2: This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the
program for applicants who, prior to submitting the application for admission, have successfully
completed (with a grade of B or better in each course):
• At least one 3-credit graduate-level course in biostatistics; AND
• At least one 3-credit graduate-level course in epidemiology; AND
• At least one 3-credit graduate-level course in the social and behavioral sciences or health
services administration core areas of public health
Dr.P.H. Admission Requirements
• Completed online Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Three recommenders to provide letters of academic and professional reference
• Statement of purpose
o Describe why you want to pursue a Dr.P.H., how you plan to use your education and
training, the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study,
and any personal qualities, characteristics, skills and experiences you believe will enable
you to be successful in public health
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the past five years
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• CV or resume
M.P.H. Degree Requirements
Page 95
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS section
of the Graduate Bulletin.
M.P.H. students must complete a total of 45 credits of graduate level course work, the majority of which
are 500 level courses, specifically:
• 27 credits in prescribed courses, including:
o 21 credits of core classroom-based courses
o 3 credit practicum experience
o 3 credit capstone
• 18 credits in elective courses
The capstone course (PHS 894) provides the students with the knowledge and skills to design, carry out,
and present a scholarly public health project based upon competencies gained in previous courses.
Topics include defining a scholarly project, selecting a topic and project type, describing the problem,
reviewing the literature, identifying project methodology, presenting project results, ethics and scholarly
work, writing and critiquing scholarly work, and creating and delivering a poster presentation.
Prescribed Courses: 27 credits
PHS 501(3), PHS 504(3) or BB H 504(3), PHS 520(3), PHS 536(3), PHS 542(3), PHS 550(3), PHS 571(3) or H
P A 520(3), PHS 894(3), PHS 895A(3).
Additional Courses: 18 credits
The 18 credits of electives may be selected from a list of approved courses that is maintained by the
graduate program office. Multiple tracks of specialization are available. Please visit
www.mphprogram.psu.edu to learn more about the approved elective courses and available tracks.
Joint Degree Offering with the Penn State Hershey College of Medicine
Degrees Conferred:
M.D. (Hershey)
M.P.H. (Hershey)
Joint Degree Program
The M.P.H. in Public Health program and M.D. Program at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine offer
a joint degree program leading to the degrees of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Master of Public Health
(M.P.H.).
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for the M.D./M.P.H program are the same as those for the M.D. and M.P.H. in
Public Health programs. M.D./M.P.H. students will have to meet the admissions requirements of both
Page 96
programs, and each program will make a separate admissions decision. Students will first apply and be
accepted to the M.D. program at the Penn State College of Medicine. After being accepted to and
matriculating at the Penn State M.D. program, M.D. students will be eligible to submit a Penn State
Graduate Application for Admission to the M.P.H. in Public Health. M.D. students may submit an
application starting their first semester in the M.D. program up through the fall semester of their third
year of medical school.
M.D./M.P.H. students who, for whatever reason, withdraw from the M.D. program retain the option of
remaining in the M.P.H. in Public Health program to earn the graduate degree.
M.D./M.P.H. Degree Requirements
M.D./M.P.H. degree requirements are the same as that of the standalone M.P.H. degree program.
Double-Counting of Courses
Eighteen credits of M.D. course work may be double-counted toward the M.P.H. degree.
Advising of Students
All students in the M.D./M.P.H. program will have two academic advisers, one in the M.P.H. degree
program and one in the M.D. program.
Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) Degree Program with the Penn State College of Health and
Human Development, Department of Biobehavioral Health
The M.P.H. in Public Health program at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and the B.S. in
Biobehavioral Health program at University Park offer an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG)
degree program leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Public Health
(M.P.H.).
Admissions Requirements
Students must apply to and meet the admissions requirements of the Graduate School, as well as the
graduate program in which they intend to receive their master’s degree. Admission to the IUG and the
M.P.H. degree program is granted jointly by the MPH Program and the Graduate School at Penn State.
The requirements presented here are in addition to the Graduate School’s requirements for admission.
To be eligible to apply to the IUG program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Requirements Guidelines
GPA
• Cumulative GPA: 3.25 or greater
• GPA in BB H major courses: 3.0 or greater
Education
• Enrollment in the B.S. in BB H degree program
• Completion of the following courses: BB H 101, BB H 311 or BB H 316, STAT
Page 97
200 or STAT 250, PSYCH 100, BIOL 110, BIOL 141
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will continue to monitor the academic performance of
undergraduate students who apply and are admitted to the IUG program. If students fall below the GPA
requirements during the undergraduate portion of the IUG plan of study, they may be put on probation
or terminated from the IUG program altogether.
IUG application requirements include the following:
• Completed online Penn State Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s undergraduate academic
adviser that proves the academic adviser has worked with the student to develop a draft IUG
plan of study
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Preliminary draft plan of study. The plan should cover the entire time period of the integrated
program, and it should be reviewed periodically with an adviser as the student advances
through the program.
Students may begin applying to the IUG in the spring semester of their sophomore year, but must apply
no later than the middle of the spring semester of their junior year of the B.S. in Biobehavioral Health
degree program. Students must be admitted to the program prior to taking the first course they intend
to count towards the graduate degree.
B.S./M.P.H. Degree Requirements
B.S./M.P.H. degree requirements are the same as that of the standalone M.P.H. degree program. If
students accepted into the IUG program are unable to complete the M.P.H. degree, they are still eligible
to receive their undergraduate degree if all the undergraduate degree requirements have been satisfied.
Double-Counting of Courses
Up to 12 credits of M.P.H. degree course work will double count towards the B.S. in Biobehavioral
Health degree requirements. The following courses will double count towards the B.S. and the M.P.H.
degree requirements: PHS 504 (3) or BB H 504 (3); PHS 520 (3) or STAT 500 (3); PHS 550 (3) or STAT 507
(3); and PHS 571 (3) or H P A 520 (3).
Advising of Students
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will assign IUG students with an academic adviser. This adviser is in
addition to the one assigned to them as undergraduate students enrolled in the B.S. in Biobehavioral
Health degree program. The M.P.H. in Public Health adviser will be a faculty member from the
Department of Public Health Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA who is a
member of the Graduate Faculty. The academic adviser will be assigned upon entry into the M.P.H.
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degree program. If advisers are on different campuses than their respective students, they will
communicate with their students through a combination of videoconferencing (via Skype or other
mechanism), phone, email, and in person meetings.
Dr.P.H. Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS section
of the Graduate Bulletin.
Dr.P.H. students must complete a minimum of 60 credits of graduate-level course work beyond a
master’s degree, the majority of which are 500-level and 800-level courses, specifically:
• 24 credits in prescribed, core classroom-based courses
• 21 credits in elective courses
o 9 credits of track elective courses
o 12 credits of general (cognate) elective courses
• 15 additional credits
o 6 credits of Advanced Field Experience
o 9 credits of Integrative Doctoral Research
Prescribed Courses: 24 credits
PHS 575(3); PHS 576(3); PHS 577(3); PHS 554(3); PHS 555(3); ADTED 550(3); and BIOET 501(3), BIOET
502(3), BUS 515(2), H P A 836(3), HLS 803(3), PHIL 432(3), CAS 426W(3), HLTHL 961(3), or BUSAD 551(3);
PHS 892(3)
Elective Courses: 21 credits
The remaining credits may be selected from a list of approved courses that is maintained by the
graduate program office. Multiple tracks of specialization are available. Please visit
www.med.psu.edu/mph to learn more about the approved elective courses and available tracks.
Additional credits: 15 credits
PHS 895B (6), PHS 896A (6), PHS 896B (3)
Dr.P.H. students must meet Penn State doctoral degree requirements as outlined in the Graduate
Bulletin, including candidacy examination and English competencies. Dr.P.H. students must also meet
additional Dr.P.H.-specific requirements.
Dr.P.H. --Additional Specific Requirements
The Dr.P.H. degree is conferred in recognition of advanced preparation of a high order for work in the
profession of education as evidenced by:
1. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed period of study;
2. Ability to apply translational science and implementation research findings in evidence-based
public health practice;
3. Successful performance of candidacy and comprehensive examinations, covering public health
core areas of study and a field of specialization; and
4. The preparation and acceptance of integrative doctoral research.
Page 99
Residency requirements--The Doctor of Public Health requires 24 core credits to be taken in residence
as a registered student engaged in academic work at the Hershey and Harrisburg campuses.
Additional Course Requirements for Applicants without a Master of Public Health
Applicants must have a graduate (e.g. master’s) or advanced professional (e.g., M.D.) degree. Applicants
without a Master of Public Health or related degree are required to take core courses to ensure a firm
foundation in the five discipline-specific M.P.H. competency domains. These foundation courses include:
PHS 504 (3), PHS 520 (3), PHS 542 (3), PHS 550 (3), and PHS 571 (3).
For applicants entering the program without a Master of Public Health, the minimum credits required
for the Dr.P.H. degree will include these 15 credits of foundation courses, for a minimum total of 75.
Some or all of the foundation courses may be waived based on previous graduate-level course work, in
which case the total credits required for the degree may be reduced in an equivalent manner, down to
the base minimum of 60 credits. Students must petition the head of the graduate program to obtain a
waiver for the foundation courses, and students’ transcripts will be reviewed to assess their eligibility for
a waiver.
Comprehensive Examination--Upon completing all core and most cognate course work, Dr.P.H. students
will take comprehensive exams to ensure they meet Dr.P.H. core and track program competencies.
Comprehensive exams will be overseen and evaluated by students’ doctoral committee.
Integrative Doctoral Research--Dr.P.H. students will be required to complete two major components for
their Dr.P.H. integrative experience: two publishable-quality manuscripts and a doctoral portfolio.
With guidance from their doctoral adviser and doctoral committee, students will develop two
manuscripts that comprehensively address, generate, and/or interpret and evaluate knowledge
applicable to public health practice. Manuscripts are encouraged to be of an applied nature and must
demonstrate students’ abilities to conduct independent research on a contemporary public health issue.
Students will demonstrate the application of advanced public health practice skills and knowledge in the
design and execution of a scholarly project, the analysis and interpretation of the findings, and the
application of the new knowledge to advance public health practice. This work should contribute to the
evidence base of public health practice, be of publishable quality, and demonstrate critical thinking and
rigorous analytic strategies.
Throughout their doctoral program, students will develop a doctoral portfolio that will document how
Dr.P.H. courses, advanced field experience, other experiential learning, and self-knowledge has
informed their leadership style and approach to integrating evidence-based research into public health
practice. Components of the portfolio may include, but are not limited to, research (e.g., publications,
conference presentations), teaching (academic and non-academic, community-based teaching), and
field and other service learning experiences. Portfolios will require reflection on in-class and out-of-class
experiences and demonstrate students’ broad public health knowledge, specialized knowledge,
translation of this knowledge into evidence-based public health practice, and leadership style.
Integrative Doctoral Research will demonstrate the following competencies: data and analysis,
communication, systems thinking, leadership, critical thinking, and problem solving. Written and oral
presentation of this work will be required.
Page 100
Student Aid
Refer to the Student Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin. Students in this program are not eligible for
graduate assistantships.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses
numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken
by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit
these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet
requirements for an advanced degree.
PUBLIC HEALTH (PH) course list
Page 101
V.
Proposed Graduate Bulletin in Track Changes
Public Health (PH)
Program Home Page
VERNON M. CHINCHILLI, Chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences
College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, PA 17033
717-531-7178
Degrees Conferred:
M.P.H., Dr.P.H.
Integrated B.S. in Biobehavioral Health and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Joint M.D./M.P.H.
The Graduate Faculty
The Program
The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Public Health program is a professional degree program that
builds knowledge and skills in the five core areas of public health: biostatistics, environmental health
sciences, epidemiology, health services administration, and social and behavioral sciences. In addition,
the M.P.H. in Public Health program advances expertise in community and behavioral health,
epidemiology and biostatistics, and health systems organization and policy. The M.P.H. degree leads to
careers in a wide variety of fields and settings, including local, state, and federal government agencies;
health care settings; health insurance industry; health services networks; nonprofits; and the
pharmaceutical industry.
The Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) in Public Health is a professional degree program that provides
advanced public health education and training to prepare its graduates for evidence-based practice and
leadership in the application of translational science and implementation research findings. It allows
graduates to pursue career opportunities in the federal, state, and local government, as well as in the
non-profit, academic, and private sectors. Educationally it places an emphasis on discovery, teaching,
integration, and application with a primary purpose of bridging research and practice to protect and
improve the public’s health. The Dr.P.H. builds on Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) competency domains
and, as a professional degree, integrates public health practice and project-based learning with local,
state, and federal networks to enrich learning in health policy and program development and
implementation. Dr.P.H. program of study includes course work, an advanced field experience, and
integrative doctoral research and provides an opportunity for further specialization within a specified
cognate.
Admission Requirements
Page 102
Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Requirements listed here are in addition to general Graduate Council requirements stated in the
GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin.
M.P.H. Admission Requirements
Admission to the Penn State M.P.H. Program is granted jointly by the M.P.H. Program and the Graduate
School at Penn State.
For admission to the M.P.H. Program, applicants must submit:
• Completed online Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Official scores from one of the following standardized tests taken within the past five years;
Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Medical
College Admission Test (MCAT), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Standardized Test Requirement Waiver 1: This requirement is waived for applicants who have an
advanced degree beyond the baccalaureate.
Standardized Test Requirement Waiver 2: This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the
program for applicants who, prior to submitting the application for admission, have successfully
completed (with a grade of B or better in each course):
• At least one 3-credit graduate-level course in biostatistics; AND
• At least one 3-credit graduate-level course in epidemiology; AND
• At least one 3-credit graduate-level course in the social and behavioral sciences or health
services administration core areas of public health
Dr.P.H. Admission Requirements
• Completed online Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Three recommenders to provide letters of academic and professional reference
• Statement of purpose
o Describe why you want to pursue a Dr.P.H., how you plan to use your education and
training, the needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study,
and any personal qualities, characteristics, skills and experiences you believe will enable
you to be successful in public health
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within the past five years
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• CV or resume
M.P.H. Degree Requirements
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Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS section
of the Graduate Bulletin.
M.P.H. students must complete a total of 45 credits of graduate level course work, the majority of which
are 500 level courses, specifically:
• 27 credits in prescribed courses, including:
o 21 credits of core classroom-based courses
o 3 credit practicum experience
o 3 credit capstone
• 18 credits in elective courses
The capstone course (PHS 894) provides the students with the knowledge and skills to design, carry out,
and present a scholarly public health project based upon competencies gained in previous courses.
Topics include defining a scholarly project, selecting a topic and project type, describing the problem,
reviewing the literature, identifying project methodology, presenting project results, ethics and scholarly
work, writing and critiquing scholarly work, and creating and delivering a poster presentation.
Prescribed Courses: 27 credits
PHS 501(3), PHS 504(3) or BB H 504(3), PHS 520(3), PHS 536(3), PHS 542(3), PHS 550(3), PHS 571(3) or H
P A 520(3), PHS 894(3), PHS 895A(3).
Additional Courses: 18 credits
The 18 credits of electives may be selected from a list of approved courses that is maintained by the
graduate program office. Multiple tracks of specialization are available. Please visit
www.mphprogram.psu.edu to learn more about the approved elective courses and available tracks.
Joint Degree Offering with the Penn State Hershey College of Medicine
Degrees Conferred:
M.D. (Hershey)
M.P.H. (Hershey)
Joint Degree Program
The M.P.H. in Public Health program and M.D. Program at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine offer
a joint degree program leading to the degrees of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Master of Public Health
(M.P.H.).
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements for the M.D./M.P.H program are the same as those for the M.D. and M.P.H. in
Public Health programs. M.D./M.P.H. students will have to meet the admissions requirements of both
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programs, and each program will make a separate admissions decision. Students will first apply and be
accepted to the M.D. program at the Penn State College of Medicine. After being accepted to and
matriculating at the Penn State M.D. program, M.D. students will be eligible to submit a Penn State
Graduate Application for Admission to the M.P.H. in Public Health. M.D. students may submit an
application starting their first semester in the M.D. program up through the fall semester of their third
year of medical school.
M.D./M.P.H. students who, for whatever reason, withdraw from the M.D. program retain the option of
remaining in the M.P.H. in Public Health program to earn the graduate degree.
M.D./M.P.H. Degree Requirements
M.D./M.P.H. degree requirements are the same as that of the standalone M.P.H. degree program.
Double-Counting of Courses
Eighteen credits of M.D. course work may be double-counted toward the M.P.H. degree.
Advising of Students
All students in the M.D./M.P.H. program will have two academic advisers, one in the M.P.H. degree
program and one in the M.D. program.
Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) Degree Program with the Penn State College of Health and
Human Development, Department of Biobehavioral Health
The M.P.H. in Public Health program at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and the B.S. in
Biobehavioral Health program at University Park offer an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG)
degree program leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Master of Public Health
(M.P.H.).
Admissions Requirements
Students must apply to and meet the admissions requirements of the Graduate School, as well as the
graduate program in which they intend to receive their master’s degree. Admission to the IUG and the
M.P.H. degree program is granted jointly by the M.P.H. Program and the Graduate School at Penn State.
The requirements presented here are in addition to the Graduate School’s requirements for admission.
To be eligible to apply to the IUG program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Requirements Guidelines
GPA
• Cumulative GPA: 3.25 or greater
• GPA in BB H major courses: 3.0 or greater
Education
• Enrollment in the B.S. in BB H degree program
• Completion of the following courses: BB H 101, BB H 311 or BB H 316, STAT
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200 or STAT 250, PSYCH 100, BIOL 110, BIOL 141
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will continue to monitor the academic performance of
undergraduate students who apply and are admitted to the IUG program. If students fall below the GPA
requirements during the undergraduate portion of the IUG plan of study, they may be put on probation
or terminated from the IUG program altogether.
IUG application requirements include the following:
• Completed online Penn State Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s undergraduate academic
adviser that proves the academic adviser has worked with the student to develop a draft IUG
plan of study
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Preliminary draft plan of study. The plan should cover the entire time period of the integrated
program, and it should be reviewed periodically with an adviser as the student advances
through the program.
Students may begin applying to the IUG in the spring semester of their sophomore year, but must apply
no later than the middle of the spring semester of their junior year of the B.S. in Biobehavioral Health
degree program. Students must be admitted to the program prior to taking the first course they intend
to count towards the graduate degree.
B.S./M.P.H. Degree Requirements
B.S./M.P.H. degree requirements are the same as that of the standalone M.P.H. degree program. If
students accepted into the IUG program are unable to complete the M.P.H. degree, they are still eligible
to receive their undergraduate degree if all the undergraduate degree requirements have been satisfied.
Double-Counting of Courses
Up to 12 credits of M.P.H. degree course work will double count towards the B.S. in Biobehavioral
Health degree requirements. The following courses will double count towards the B.S. and the M.P.H.
degree requirements: PHS 504 (3) or BB H 504 (3); PHS 520 (3) or STAT 500 (3); PHS 550 (3) or STAT 507
(3); and PHS 571 (3) or H P A 520 (3).
Advising of Students
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will assign IUG students with an academic adviser. This adviser is in
addition to the one assigned to them as undergraduate students enrolled in the B.S. in Biobehavioral
Health degree program. The M.P.H. in Public Health adviser will be a faculty member from the
Department of Public Health Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA who is a
member of the Graduate Faculty. The academic adviser will be assigned upon entry into the M.P.H.
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degree program. If advisers are on different campuses than their respective students, they will
communicate with their students through a combination of videoconferencing (via Skype or other
mechanism), phone, email, and in person meetings.
Dr.P.H. Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE REQUIREMENTS section
of the Graduate Bulletin.
Dr.P.H. students must complete a minimum of 60 credits of graduate-level course work beyond a
master’s degree, the majority of which are 500-level and 800-level courses, specifically:
• 24 credits in prescribed, core classroom-based courses
• 21 credits in elective courses
o 9 credits of track elective courses
o 12 credits of general (cognate) elective courses
• 15 additional credits
o 6 credits of Advanced Field Experience
o 9 credits of Integrative Doctoral Research
Prescribed Courses: 24 credits
PHS 575(3); PHS 576(3); PHS 577(3); PHS 554(3); PHS 555(3); ADTED 550(3); and BIOET 501(3), BIOET
502(3), BUS 515(2), H P A 836(3), HLS 803(3), PHIL 432(3), CAS 426W(3), HLTHL 961(3), or BUSAD 551(3);
PHS 892(3)
Elective Courses: 21 credits
The remaining credits may be selected from a list of approved courses that is maintained by the
graduate program office. Multiple tracks of specialization are available. Please visit
www.med.psu.edu/mph to learn more about the approved elective courses and available tracks.
Additional credits: 15 credits
PHS 895B (6), PHS 896A (6), PHS 896B (3)
Dr.P.H. students must meet Penn State doctoral degree requirements as outlined in the Graduate
Bulletin, including candidacy examination and English competencies. Dr.P.H. students must also meet
additional Dr.P.H.-specific requirements.
Dr.P.H. --Additional Specific Requirements
The Dr.P.H. degree is conferred in recognition of advanced preparation of a high order for work in the
profession of education as evidenced by:
5. Satisfactory completion of a prescribed period of study;
6. Ability to apply translational science and implementation research findings in evidence-based
public health practice;
7. Successful performance of candidacy and comprehensive examinations, covering public health
core areas of study and a field of specialization; and
8. The preparation and acceptance of integrative doctoral research.
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Residency requirements--The Doctor of Public Health requires 24 core credits to be taken in residence
as a registered student engaged in academic work at the Hershey and Harrisburg campuses.
Additional Course Requirements for Applicants without a Master of Public Health
Applicants must have a graduate (e.g. master’s) or advanced professional (e.g., M.D.) degree. Applicants
without a Master of Public Health or related degree are required to take core courses to ensure a firm
foundation in the five discipline-specific M.P.H. competency domains. These foundation courses include:
PHS 504 (3), PHS 520 (3), PHS 542 (3), PHS 550 (3), and PHS 571 (3).
For applicants entering the program without a Master of Public Health, the minimum credits required
for the Dr.P.H. degree will include these 15 credits of foundation courses, for a minimum total of 75.
Some or all of the foundation courses may be waived based on previous graduate-level course work, in
which case the total credits required for the degree may be reduced in an equivalent manner, down to
the base minimum of 60 credits. Students must petition the head of the graduate program to obtain a
waiver for the foundation courses, and students’ transcripts will be reviewed to assess their eligibility for
a waiver.
Comprehensive Examination--Upon completing all core and most cognate course work, Dr.P.H. students
will take comprehensive exams to ensure they meet Dr.P.H. core and track program competencies.
Comprehensive exams will be overseen and evaluated by students’ doctoral committee.
Integrative Doctoral Research--Dr.P.H. students will be required to complete two major components for
their Dr.P.H. integrative experience: two publishable-quality manuscripts and a doctoral portfolio.
With guidance from their doctoral adviser and doctoral committee, students will develop two
manuscripts that comprehensively address, generate, and/or interpret and evaluate knowledge
applicable to public health practice. Manuscripts are encouraged to be of an applied nature and must
demonstrate students’ abilities to conduct independent research on a contemporary public health issue.
Students will demonstrate the application of advanced public health practice skills and knowledge in the
design and execution of a scholarly project, the analysis and interpretation of the findings, and the
application of the new knowledge to advance public health practice. This work should contribute to the
evidence base of public health practice, be of publishable quality, and demonstrate critical thinking and
rigorous analytic strategies.
Throughout their doctoral program, students will develop a doctoral portfolio that will document how
Dr.P.H. courses, advanced field experience, other experiential learning, and self-knowledge has
informed their leadership style and approach to integrating evidence-based research into public health
practice. Components of the portfolio may include, but are not limited to, research (e.g., publications,
conference presentations), teaching (academic and non-academic, community-based teaching), and
field and other service learning experiences. Portfolios will require reflection on in-class and out-of-class
experiences and demonstrate students’ broad public health knowledge, specialized knowledge,
translation of this knowledge into evidence-based public health practice, and leadership style.
Integrative Doctoral Research will demonstrate the following competencies: data and analysis,
communication, systems thinking, leadership, critical thinking, and problem solving. Written and oral
presentation of this work will be required.
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Student Aid
Refer to the Student Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin. Students in this program are not eligible for
graduate assistantships.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses
numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken
by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit
these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet
requirements for an advanced degree.
PUBLIC HEALTH (PH) course list
Page 109
VI.
Letters of Support
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Vernon M. Chinchilli, PhD
Roger McCarter, PhD
Marianne Hillemeier, PhD
David Hunter, PhD
Page 110
Vernon M. Chinchilli, PhD Distinguished Professor and
Chair Department of Public
Health Sciences Penn State
College of Medicine
[email protected]
January 27, 2016
Farah Kauffman, M.P.H.
Deputy Director, Penn State M.P.H. Program
Department of Public Health Sciences
Penn State College of Medicine
90 Hope Drive, Suite 2300
Hershey, PA 17033-0855
Dear Farah:
The purpose of this letter is to confirm that I support the proposed program change in the Penn
State MPH Program to add the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate program.
I believe that the development of the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate program, between the
Department of Public Health Sciences at the Hershey campus and the Department of Biobehavioral
Health at the University Park campus, will provide a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students to
pursue graduate training in public health. As noted in the program change proposal, the demand for
public health workers in Pennsylvania and in the nation continues to grow. Our public health graduate
programs at Penn State, although relatively young compared to other academic institutions, already are
becoming well-recognized and well- respected for our students who have graduated and have become
part of the public health work force. The Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate program will enhance that
recognition and respect.
In summary, the addition of the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate program to the current
Penn State MPH Program has my full support.
Sincerely,
Vernon M. Chinchilli, PhD
Distinguished Professor and Chair
Department of Public Health Sciences
Page 111
From: ROGER JOHN MCCARTER [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 2:18 PM
To: Farah Kauffman
Subject: Re: Requesting your Support: Program Proposal to add IUG Biobehavioral Health/Public Health
Greetings Farah : Good to hear this program is nearing completion. We in BBH are fully supportive of
the program and we look forward to working with you on this exciting development.
Regards
Roger McCarter
Professor and Interim Head
Department of Biobehavioral Health
The Pennsylvania State University
From: Farah Kauffman
To: ROGER JOHN MCCARTER
Cc: Michele Stine
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 12:39:16 PM
Subject: Requesting your Support: Program Proposal to add IUG Biobehavioral Health/Public Health
Hello, Dr. McCarter!
I hope you are well. I am writing today to request your support of a program proposal to add an
integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biobehavioral
Health/Master of Public Health (MPH). As Wenke mentioned in his email to you, we’ve been working
closely with the leadership of the Department of Biobehavioral Health, including Collins, Frank, and
Shelli. We are excited about launching the IUG.
Please review the proposal at your earliest convenience and let me know if you have any questions. I
have incorporated all of Shelli’s comments. When you are ready to indicate your support of the proposal
and establishment of the IUG, please simply send me a email of support. A formal letter of support is not
required. Our goal is to mail the proposal to the Graduate School in mid-February so that it arrives in
time to be considered for the March meeting of the Joint Curricular Committee.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and input! We look forward to working with you all!
Best wishes,
Farah
Page 112
From: MARIANNE HILLEMEIER [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2016 5:45 PM
To: Farah Kauffman
Subject: Re: Requesting your Support: Program Proposal to add IUG Biobehavioral Health/Public Health
Hi Farrah
I checked with the instructor and she agreed that we could accommodate 5 or so of your students in the
class. In view of this, I support your proposal. Good luck!
Best wishes,
Marianne
Marianne Hillemeier
Professor and Department Head
Health Policy and Administration
The Pennsylvania State University
604E Ford
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-0873
From: Farah Kauffman
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 12:35 PM
To: 'MARIANNE HILLEMEIER'
Subject: Requesting your Support: Program Proposal to add IUG Biobehavioral Health/Public Health
Importance: High
Hello, Marianne!
I hope you are well. I am writing today to request your support of a program proposal to add an
integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biobehavioral
Health/Master of Public Health (MPH). We’ve been working closely with the leadership of the
Department of Biobehavioral Health and are excited about piloting the IUG model.
The IUG plan we’ve designed in the attached proposal is modeled after the many IUGs that are already
in place at Penn State. It wasn’t hard to find good examples upon which to base our proposal.
Your support at this time is particularly important as HPA 520 is a pre-approved substitution for one
core MPH course, PHS 571: Health Services Organization and Delivery. We’ve had some MPH students
opt to take HPA 520 in lieu of PHS 571. This has been especially common among our part-time students
and our students who live in State College. Given that IUG students in Biobehavioral Health are based at
the University Park campus, we expect that they will seek enrollment in HPA 520 instead of PHS 571. It
is important to note that the IUG admissions process will be highly selective. Also, IUG students won’t
begin taking MPH courses until the fall semester of their senior year. I expect this is similar to what
you’ve experienced with IUG program in your department.
Page 113
Please review the proposal at your earliest convenience and let me know if you have any questions.
When you are ready to indicate your support of the proposal and establishment of the IUG, please
simply send me a email of support. A formal letter of support is not required. Our goal is to mail the
proposal to the Graduate School in mid-February so that it arrives in time to be considered for the
March meeting of the Joint Curricular Committee.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and input, Marianne!
Best wishes,
Farah
Page 114
From: David Hunter [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 12:13 PM
To: Farah Kauffman
Subject: Re: Requesting your Support: Program Proposal to add IUG Biobehavioral Health/Public Health
Importance: High
Hi, Farah. Thanks for the nudge, and my apologies for the delay.
I think this is a well-thought-out IUG program and I strongly support it. In particular, the statistics
department agrees to the inclusion of the STAT courses as means to satisfy certain requirements.
I notice that students might use World Campus courses (such as STAT 500) to satisfy requirements; yet it
may be worth checking on whether it will be possible for students to register for such courses
directly. My understanding is that it is not. However, we have in the past overridden the controls on
World Campus courses in such situations, since it’s a relatively rare request. That said, if the current
program institutes more of an expectation that these courses will be available to students pursuing the
IUG (which might be desirable given the likelihood that students at Hershey, say, prefer not to travel
regularly to UP), it may be wise to work out a more formal arrangement.
Another item of note: STAT 507, both online and in-residence, has been taught by Gene Lengerich of
the PHS department for many years. There was one semester a few years ago when we scheduled a
statistics professor as the instructor, partly in an attempt to build up a bit more institutional memory in
the STAT department, but that year was an anomaly and the STAT instructor who taught it has since left
Penn State. Thus, this is yet another area in which it might make sense for STAT and PHS to work closely
to ensure that students in the new IUG program truly have the options listed, particularly if Gene
decides to step away from running the class at some point. (I have no reason to believe he wants to do
so any time soon, by the way.)
Neither of the two items raised above should be construed as an objection. On the contrary, I hope that
we can work with PHS to make this IUG program run as smoothly as possible.
Best wishes,
Dave
-----David Hunter
Professor and Head
Department of Statistics
Penn State University
Phone: (814) 865-1348
Fax: (814) 863-7114
www.stat.psu.edu/~dhunter
Page 115
From: Farah Kauffman
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 12:28 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Requesting your Support: Program Proposal to add IUG Biobehavioral Health/Public Health
Importance: High
Hi, Dr. Hunter!
I hope you are well. I am writing today to request your support of a program proposal to add an
integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biobehavioral
Health/Master of Public Health (MPH). We’ve been working closely with the leadership of the
Department of Biobehavioral Health and are excited about piloting the IUG model.
The IUG plan we’ve designed in the attached proposal is modeled after the many IUGs that are already
in place at Penn State. It wasn’t hard to find good examples upon which to base our proposal.
Your support at this time is particularly important as STAT 500 and STAT 507 are pre-approved
substitutions for two core MPH courses: PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics and PHS 550: Principles of
Epidemiology. We’ve had many MPH students opt to take STAT 500 in lieu of PHS 520 and STAT 507 in
lieu of PHS 550. This is especially common among our part-time students and our students who live in
State College. Given that IUG students in Biobehavioral Health are based at the University Park campus,
we expect that they will seek enrollment in STAT 500 and STAT 507 instead of PHS 520 and PHS 550,
respectively. It is important to note that the IUG admissions process will be highly selective. Also, IUG
students won’t begin taking MPH courses until the fall semester of their senior year.
Please review the proposal at your earliest convenience and let me know if you have any questions.
When you are ready to indicate your support of the proposal and establishment of the IUG, please
simply send me an email of support. A formal letter of support is not required.
Thank you, in advance, for your time and input, Dr. Hunter!
Best wishes,
Farah
Page 116
Student Handbook
Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) Degree Program
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biobehavioral Health &
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Public Health
2016-17 Academic Year
Page 117
Hello, Students!
On behalf of the Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health and the
Master of Public Health programs, we are pleased to present this student
handbook for the new Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health
integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program. This handbook
will provide you with detailed information on the new IUG, including
eligibility criteria, admissions processes, degree requirements, and
program contacts.
We encourage you to use this handbook as a starting point. If you have any
questions about the IUG, please contact your academic adviser in
Biobehavioral Health and/or email the Master of Public Health team at
[email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you!
Wenke Hwang, PhD
Director, Penn State Master of
Public Health Program
Michele Stine, PhD
Professor-in-Charge, Bachelor of
Science in Biobehavioral Health
The IUG program is offered in partnership between the Department of
Biobehavioral Health at Penn State’s University Park campus and the
Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State’s College of Medicine
campus in Hershey.
Page 118
Please note: This IUG student
handbook is a supplement to the
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in
Biobehavioral Health (BB H) student
handbook and the Master of Public
Health (M.P.H.) student handbook. For
comprehensive information about the
B.S. in BB H, please consult your
undergraduate student handbook. All
students will receive the M.P.H.
student handbook upon acceptance
into the IUG program.
Page 119
Important Contacts
Name/Role
Farah Kauffman, MPH
Deputy Director, Penn State MPH
Program
Instructor, Public Health Sciences
Contact with questions
about…
• General IUG program
inquiries
Contact Information
717-531-4294
[email protected]
Shannon Bowman-Tuininga
Admissions Coordinator, Penn State
MPH Program
•
IUG admissions process
717-531-0003, x281150
[email protected]
Michele Stine, PhD
Professor-in-Charge, Bachelor of
Science in Biobehavioral Health
•
Individualized program
planning
General IUG program
inquiries
814-865-8409
[email protected]
•
Page 120
Purpose
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biobehavioral Health (BB H)/Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) IUG is
designed to (1) better address the public health workforce shortage by expediting the pace at which
highly qualified, well-prepared students in public health can enter the public health workforce; and (2)
establish a cohesive and coordinated pipeline with an undergraduate major that closely aligns with
public health.
Address the public health workforce shortage. This IUG will expedite the pace at which highly qualified,
well-prepared students can enter the public health workforce. The public health profession currently
faces a workforce shortage, in part, due to the large proportion of public health professionals who are
aging into retirement. Previous reports have estimated that by 2012, approximately one-quarter of the
existing public health workforce will have retired (Rosenstock, 2008). Further, the Public Health
Workforce Interests and Needs Survey of 2014 found that approximately one-quarter of state public
health employees “…are considering leaving their job within the next year” (Liss-Levinson, 2015).
Recommendations on expediting the recruitment of new talent into the public health workforce include
mechanisms that allow individuals to pursue formal public health training opportunities at a reduced
cost and in a shorter length of time than what might typically be required (Hilliard, 2012). The IUG is one
model that meets this recommendation.
Establish a cohesive and coordinated pipeline. B.S. in BB H students receive substantial undergraduate
training in public health, including in the foundational public health areas of statistics, epidemiology,
health promotion and disease prevention, and the determinants of health. B.S. in BB H students are,
thus, well-prepared for advanced study in public health, and many pursue M.P.H. degree programs
following graduation. The B.S./M.P.H. IUG degree program creates a cohesive and coordinated pipeline
by establishing a structured, formalized pathway through which a subset of highly qualified, wellprepared B.S. in BB H students pursue the M.P.H. in Public Health degree.
References:
Hilliard, T.B. (2012). Public health workforce research in review: a 25-year retrospective. American
Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(5S1), S1-S28.
Liss-Levinson, R.B. (2015, November/December). Loving and leaving public health: Predictors of
Intentions to quit among state health agency workers. Journal of Public Health Management &
Practice, 21, S91-S101.
Rosenstock, L.S. (2008). On linkages: Confronting the public health workforce crisis: ASPH statement on
the public health workforce. Public Health Reports, 123(3), 395-398.
Page 121
Double-Counting of Courses
One benefit of the IUG is that students may complete both degrees in a shorter timeframe than if they
were to complete each degree separately. The Graduate School at Penn State allows IUG students to
double count a maximum of 12 graduate credits towards the undergraduate and graduate degree
program requirements. The M.P.H. capstone cannot be double counted. At least half of the double
counted courses must be at the 500 or 800 level.
The B.S./M.P.H. IUG allows for the following 12 credits of M.P.H. course work to double count towards
B.S. and M.P.H. degree program requirements:
• PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics (3 credits) or STAT 500: Applied Statistics (3 credits)
• PHS 504: Behavioral Health Intervention Strategies (3 credits) or BB H 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3 credits)
• PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology (3 credits) or STAT 507: Epidemiologic Research Methods (3
credits)
• PHS 571: Health Systems Organization and Delivery (3 credits) or HPA 520: Introduction to
Health Systems Organizations and Delivery (3 credits)
These double counted courses will fulfill the following B.S. in BB H degree program requirements:
Double Counted Course
PHS 504 or BB H 504
PHS 520 or STAT 500
PHS 550 or STAT 507
PHS 571 or HPA 520
Will
Fulfill
B.S. in BB H Requirement
3 of 15 credits of BB H electives
3 of 12 credits of university-wide offerings
BB H 440
3 of 9 credits of Human and Developmental Sciences
A Note about Location
The PHS-designated courses must be completed in Hershey, but the STAT-, BB H-, and HPA-designated
courses can be completed at the University Park campus; the STAT-designated courses also can be
completed online via World Campus.
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Admissions
A. Time of Admission to the Program
Students may begin applying to the IUG in the spring semester of their sophomore year but no later
than the middle of the spring semester of their junior year of the B.S. in BB H degree program. The IUG
will officially begin in the fall semester of the student’s senior year of the B.S. in BB H degree program.
This is in accordance with the Graduate Council’s policy on IUG programs (available at
http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/iugs), which states “Students shall be
admitted to an IUG program no earlier than the beginning of the third semester of undergraduate study
at Penn State (regardless of transfer or AP credits accumulated prior to enrollment) and no later than
the end of the second week of the semester preceding the semester of expected conferral of the
undergraduate degree, as specified in the proposed IUG plan of study.”
B. Eligibility Requirements
Admission to the IUG is dependent on admission to the Graduate School at Penn State and the M.P.H.
degree program. Students must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School, which are
available at http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/prospective-students/how-to-apply/newapplicants/requirements-for-graduate-admission/. The requirements presented below are in addition
to the Graduate School’s requirements for admission.
To be eligible to apply to the IUG program, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Requirements Guidelines
GPA
• Cumulative GPA: 3.25 or greater
• GPA in BB H major courses: 3.0 or greater
Education
• Enrollment in the B.S. in BB H degree program
• Completion of the following courses: BB H 101, BB H 311 or BB H 316, STAT
200 or STAT 250, PSYCH 100, BIOL 110, BIOL 141
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will continue to monitor the academic performance of
undergraduate students who apply and are admitted to the IUG program. If students fall below the GPA
minimum requirements during the undergraduate portion of the IUG plan of study, they may be put on
probation or terminated from the IUG program altogether.
IUG students who are unable to complete the M.P.H. portion of the IUG will still be eligible to earn the
B.S. in BB H. Students will be advised to fulfill basic undergraduate requirements first so that if, for some
reason, they cannot continue in the integrated program they will be able to receive their undergraduate
degree without a significant loss of time.
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C. Application Requirements
IUG application requirements include the following:
• Completed online Penn State Graduate School application with nonrefundable application fee
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of purpose
• Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student’s undergraduate academic
adviser that demonstrates the academic adviser has worked with the student to develop a draft
IUG plan of study
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Preliminary draft IUG plan of study
D. Application Process
IUG program utilizes the Penn State Graduate Application System. Students must submit an MPH
application in the Penn State Graduate Application System to be considered for admission to the
B.S./M.P.H. IUG program.
Application deadline: December 1 of each calendar year.
To submit an application, please follow these steps:
1. Go to www.gradschool.psu.edu/apply/.
2. Select “Log in with Existing Account.”
3. Enter your Penn State access account user ID.
4. Select “Fall 2017” as the semester of admission.
5. Complete all pages of the application.
6. Submit the application by December 1, 2016.
7. Pay the $65 nonrefundable application fee.
Please note:
On page 1 of the application, you must check the box next to “I am applying to an
Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) program….” Also, the M.P.H. degree program
is based at the Penn State College of Medicine/Hershey Medical Center campus in
Hershey, PA. On page 1 of the application, when selecting the campus of admission,
please select “Hershey Medical Center.” Select “Public Health” as the major and
“Master of Public Health (MPH)” as the degree.
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Sample Plan of Study
A sample plan of study is presented below. This sample plan is based on the Recommended Academic
Plan for undergraduate students in Biobehavioral Health at University Park. Double counted courses are
presented in bold on the next page. This plan represents the minimum time required to complete the
IUG. It may not reflect the individual experiences of all IUG students. Individualized plans of study will be
created for each student who enrolls in the IUG program.
Semester 1
Course Details
PSYCH 100 (GS) General Psychology
BIOL 110 (GN) Biology: Basic Concepts and
Biodiversity
ENGL 015 or 030 (GWS)
Composition/Honors Comp.
BB H 101 (GHA) Introduction to
Biobehavioral Health
First-Year Seminar
Credits
3
4
3
3
Total Credits
Semester 3
Course Details
BB H 311 - Interdisciplinary Integration in
Biobehavioral Health
or BB H 316 - Foundations and Principles of
Health Promotion
STAT 200 (GQ) - Elementary Statistics
or STAT 250 (GQ) - Introduction to
Biostatistics
CHEM 101 (GN) Introductory Chemistry
or CHEM 110 (GN) - Chemical Principles I
or MICRB 106 (GN) - Elementary
Microbiology
or BIOL 230W (GN) - Biology: Molecules and
Cells
University-Wide Offerings
Health and Developmental Science
Total Credits
1
17
Credits
3
Semester 2
Course Details
BIOL 141(GN) Introductory Physiology
Health and Developmental Science
Credits
3
3
HD FS 129 (GS) - Introduction to Human
Development and Family Studies
or HD FS 229 (GS) - Infant and Child
Development
or HD FS 239 (GS) - Adolescent
Development
or HD FS 249 (GS) - Adult Development and
Aging
Arts (GA)
3
Quantification (GQ)
3
15
Total Credits
Semester 4
Course Details
BB H 316 - Foundations and Principles of
Health Promotion
or BB H 311 - Interdisciplinary Integration in
Biobehavioral Health
3
Credits
3
3-4
NUTR 251 (GHA) - Introductory Principles of
Nutrition
3
3
Basic Science
3
3
1
Scientific Thought and Philosophy
CAS 100A (GWS) - Effective Speech
or CAS 100B (GWS) - Effective Speech
or CAS 100C (GWS) - Effective Speech
Total Credits
3
3
15-16
15
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Semester 5
Course Details
BB H Elective course
Credits
3
BB H Elective course
ENGL 202A (GWS) - Effective Writing:
Writing in the Social Sciences
3
3
Basic Science
University-Wide Offerings
3
3
15
Semester 7
Course Details
Basic Science
Total Credits
Credits
3
BB H Elective course
3
PHS 571: Health Systems Organization and
Delivery or HPA 520: Introduction to Health
Systems Organizations and Delivery (fulfills
Health and Developmental Science)
Health Promotion
PHS 520: Principles of Biostatistics or STAT
500: Applied Statistics (fulfills UniversityWide Offerings)
Total Credits
3
3
3
Semester 6
Course Details
BB H 310 - Research Strategies for Studying
Biobehavioral Health
BB H Elective course
BIOL 133 (GN) - Genetics and Evolution of
the Human Species
or BIOL 222 - Genetics
University-Wide Offerings
Humanities (GH)
Total Credits
Semester 8
Course Details
BB H 411W - Research and Application in
Biobehavioral Health
PHS 504: Behavioral Health Intervention
Strategies or BB H 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (fulfills BB H
Elective course)
PHS 550: Principles of Epidemiology or
STAT 507: Epidemiologic Research
Methods (fulfills BB H 440 [US;IL] Principles of Epidemiology)
Basic Science
Arts (GA)
15
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Credits
3
3
3
3
3
15
Begin M.P.H. Degree Program in Hershey:
Semester 9
Course Details
PHS 501: Principles of Public Health
PHS 536: Health Survey Research Methods
Electives
Credits
3
3
Total Credits
6
12
Total Credits
Credits
3
6
9
Semester 11
Course Details
PHS 894: Capstone Experience
Electives (6)
Semester 10
Course Details
PHS 542: Environmental Health Sciences
PHS 895A: Master of Public Health Internship
Electives
Total Credits
Credits
3
3
6
12
Page 126
IUG Sequence Overview
A sample overview of the IUG sequence by year and semester is presented below. The M.P.H. courses
listed in year 4 will double count for both the undergraduate and the graduate degrees. This sample
overview represents the minimum time required to complete the IUG. It may not reflect the individual
experiences of all IUG students. Individualized plans of study will be created for each student who
enrolls in the IUG program.
Year
1
2
3
Program
IUG Course work by Semester
Fall
B.S. in BB H
Spring
Summer
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum
M.P.H.
B.S. in BB H
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum
M.P.H.
B.S. in BB H
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum
M.P.H.
Standard B.S. in BB H curriculum plus:
4
B.S. in BB H
PHS 520: Principles of
Biostatistics (3) or STAT 500:
Applied Statistics (3)
PHS 571: Health Systems
Organization and Delivery (3)
or HPA 520: Introduction to
Health Systems Organizations
and Delivery (3)
PHS 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3) or
BB H 504: Behavioral Health
Intervention Strategies (3)
PHS 550: Principles of
Epidemiology (3) or STAT 507:
Epidemiologic Research
Methods (3)
PHS 501: Principles of Public
Health (3)
PHS 536: Health Survey
Research Methods (3)
Electives (6)
PHS 542: Environmental Health
Sciences (3)
PHS 895A: Master of Public
Health Internship (3)
Electives (6)
M.P.H.
B.S. in BB H
5
M.P.H.
PHS 894: Capstone Experience
(3)
Electives (6)
Page 127
Individualized IUG Plan of Study
In accordance with the Graduate Council’s policy on IUG programs (available at
http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/iugs), each prospective IUG applicant must
prepare an individualized plan of study prior to being admitted to the IUG program. Students who are
interested in pursuing the IUG should contact their respective undergraduate academic adviser in the
Department of Biobehavioral Health to begin creating a plan. The plan should include the entire time
period of the IUG program, through the completion of all graduate school requirements.
IUG applicants must submit a preliminary draft of the plan with the Graduate School application for
admission. Prior to being admitted to the IUG, the M.P.H. in Public Health program will work with all
accepted IUG applicants and their academic advisers to finalize the plan of study. The plan will be
reviewed each semester with the student’s undergraduate and graduate advisers.
In the development of the plan, in accordance with the Graduate Council’s policy on IUG programs, B.S.
in BB H students in the IUG program will “…be advised to fulfill basic undergraduate requirements first
so that if, for some reason, they cannot continue in the integrated program they will be able to receive
their undergraduate degree without a significant loss of time.” Please see
http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty/iugs for more information.
Page 128
Advising
The M.P.H. in Public Health program will assign IUG students with an academic adviser. This adviser is in
addition to the one assigned to them as undergraduate students enrolled in the B.S. in BB H degree
program. The M.P.H. in Public Health adviser will be a faculty member from the Department of Public
Health Sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA who is a member of the Graduate
Faculty. The academic adviser will be assigned upon entry into the M.P.H. degree program. If advisers
are on different campuses than their respective students, they will communicate with their students
through a combination of videoconferencing (via Skype or other mechanism), phone, email, and in
person meetings.
Page 129
Page 130
Program Change Proposal for the Master of Professional Studies in
Supply Chain Management
Table of Contents
I.
Introduction…………………………………………………………………..2
II.
Rationale/Justification for the Proposed Changes…………………………...3
III.
Overview of Proposed Changes: Side-by-Side Comparison………………...5
IV.
Proposed Graduate Bulletin with Track Changes
V.
…………………………6
Letters of Support…………………………………………………………...11
Page 131
The Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems respectfully submits the following
program change proposal to modify its current online Master of Professional Studies in Supply
Chain Management (MPS/SCM). The modifications are primarily proposed to adjust the masters
program to University policy governing the semester calendar and to enhance program eligibility
for graduate students seeking financial aid. The modification process also creates the opportunity
to add new content to the curriculum and to adjust the program format in response to new market
demands.
I. Introduction
Twenty years ago, the term “supply chain” was rarely used beyond academic business settings.
Today, across the entire spectrum of business and general public media, “supply chain” is among
the most frequently used business terms. Effective management of supply chains is now widely
recognized in corporate boardrooms as a key strategic factor in the financial and social
responsibility success of manufacturers and many service organizations. Supply chain
management experience is now frequently thought to be necessary for a career path to top-level
corporate leadership positions.
Penn State University has long been recognized as one of the premier providers of supply chain
management education. In 3 consecutive surveys between 2009-2014, Gartner’s identified the
Smeal College’s Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems (SC&IS) as the top
ranked undergraduate and graduate supply chain education program in North America due to the
program’s depth, scope, and industry value. In 2005, the Department was ranked the number one
national program by both academics and industry practitioners in survey research published in
the Supply Chain Management Review. The Department is consistently ranked in the top five
supply chain programs by the general business media, such as, U.S. News and World Report and
Business Week. Most recently, TheBestSchools.org ranked Penn State #1 among all supply chain
management master’s degree programs.
For the last 16 years, a core component of the Department’s academic portfolio has been its
online graduate-level program offerings in supply chain management. In conjunction with Penn
State’s World Campus, the Department currently offers a 30 credit Master of Professional
Studies in Supply Chain Management and a 12 credit Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain
Management. Since the inception of the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management
(1999) and the Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management (2007),
approximately 540 masters degrees and 660 graduate certificates have been awarded.
This program change proposal does not alter the goals of the program. The goals of the degree
program are to:

Design an interdisciplinary curriculum for working professionals who want to earn a
graduate degree in Supply Chain Management from a top-ranked school, while
continuing their employment
Page 132



Create a well-balanced, unified, and complete program, including a culminating
experience centered on the preparation and acceptance of a high-quality research
project
Emphasize practical applications of knowledge and analysis techniques for solving
problems
Deliver a high quality program in a manner that is convenient to working
professionals
II. Rationale/Justification for the Proposed Changes
•
Enhances Financial-Aid Eligibility. At the graduate level, students are eligible to
receive financial aid provided they are admitted to a degree program and enroll in at least
5 credits of required coursework each fall and spring semester. The current format of the
MPS/SCM program requires only 4 credits during the first year fall and spring semesters.
Consequently, in the current format, MPS/SCM students are not eligible for financial aid
during the first year of the MPS degree program. This constraint impacts approximately
5% of the students enrolled in the general public MPS program. The proposed revisions
moves to a 5 credit per semester format.
•
Mitigates Scheduling Constraints for the MPS Residency. The MPS/SCM curriculum
includes one required 3 day residency as part of SCM 530: Supply Chain Analysis. SCM
530 begins online for one week followed by the 3-day residency and concludes online for
2.5 more weeks. Prior to 2012, the residency was scheduled in early August, enabling
SCM 530 to end in late August prior to Labor Day. A November 2011 University policy
change governing semester calendars requires all courses to end in the semester in which
they begin. Due to the length of the preceding 4-credit course, SCM 530 had to be moved
entirely into the fall semester to comply with the new policy. Unfortunately, this meant
scheduling the residency during the same period most students returned to campus for fall
semester. The situation created travel nightmares for the residency students. Finding
sufficient classrooms and on-campus hotel accommodations was also very difficult and
significantly more expensive due to peak demand. The revised format shortens the course
preceding SCM 530, enabling it to be placed in the second half of the summer semester.
•
Enables Source-Make-Deliver Course Sequence During Year 1. The supply chain
management curriculum offered by the Department of Supply Chain and Information
Systems is organized on the framework of the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model
(SCOR), an industry standard, unified structure of business processes and performance
metrics (See Figure 1). The model’s core business processes are source (procurement),
make (manufacturing), and deliver (order fulfillment). The current online curriculum
dedicates one course to source and one course to deliver in the first year while make is
the focus of a second year course. The revised format adjusts the curriculum to include
first year courses dedicated to each of the 3 major supply chain processes.
Page 133
Figure 1: SCOR Model
•
Opportunity to Introduce New Content. The proposed revisions include two new onecredit courses for Year 1 of the program. One of the new courses concerns business ethics
and integrity while the second covers supply chain performance metrics and financial
analysis. Integrity is a strategic priority and fundamental part of the Smeal College
culture. Adding a first year course dedicated to ethics and integrity better aligns the
online supply chain curriculum to the College’s priorities. The addition also enables
closer examination of the difficult ethics and integrity issues managers face in a multicultural global supply chain business environment.
The second new one-credit course focuses on analysis of supply chain-related
performance metrics, including the primary measures of financial performance. A clear
understanding of the relationships between supply chain decisions/initiatives and the
firm’s primary financial measures is an increasingly important competency for all supply
chain managers. This course is intended to help students develop and apply this
competency. Adding a new course dedicated to supply chain performance metrics and
financials enables more extensive coverage to this topic than can be given in the current
curriculum format. Principles and content from both new courses will be utilized in most
courses that follow in the remaining semesters of the degree program.
Page 134
III. Overview of Proposed Changes: Side-by-Side Comparison
The following table presents a side-by-side comparison of the current Master of Professional
Studies in Supply Chain Management curriculum and the proposed new curriculum. Curriculum
changes are highlighted in the table in yellow. There are no proposed changes to admission
requirements nor the number of credits required to complete the degree.
Current Curriculum (30 credits)
Prescribed Courses
• SCM 800: Supply Chain Management
(4)
• SCM 810: Transportation and
Distribution (4)
• SCM 820: Strategic Procurement (4)
• SCM 840: Supply Chain Project
Mgmt. (4)
• SCM 850: Supply Chain Design and
Strategy (4)
• SCM 860: Supply Chain
Transformation and Innovation (4)
• SCM 530: Supply Chain Analysis (3)
• SCM 594: Research Topics (3)
Table 1
Proposed Curriculum (30 credits)
Prescribed Courses
• SCM 800: Supply Chain Management (4)
•
•
SCM 801: Supply Chain Performance
Metrics and Financial Analysis (1)
SCM 822: Supply Management (2)
SCM 842: Manufacturing and Service
Operations Planning (2)
BA 803: Business Ethics (1)
•
SCM 812: Demand Fulfillment (2)
•
•
•
SCM 530: Supply Chain Analysis (3)
SCM 594: Research Topics (3)
SCM 850: Supply Chain Design and
Strategy (4)
SCM 860: Supply Chain Transformation
and Innovation (4)
Elective (4)
•
•
•
•
Elective credits will be chosen from a list of approved courses maintained by the program office.
Page 135
IV. Proposed Graduate Bulletin with Track Changes
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems, via Penn State Online
Program Home Page
NICHOLAS C. PETRUZZI, Chair
Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems
454B Business Building
814-865-1866
[email protected]
GARY L. GITTINGS, Director
Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management Program
440 489B Business Building
814-865-1875
[email protected]
Degrees Conferred:
M.P.S.
The Graduate Faculty – MPS Programs
The Graduate Faculty
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Norman A. Aggon, M.B.A. (James Madison) Instructor of Operations and Supply Chain
Management; Assistant Department Chair
Francis (Frank) L. Chelko, M.M.M. (Penn State) Instructor of Operations and Supply
Chain Management
Gary L. Gittings, Ph.D. (Penn State) Instructor of Supply Chain Management
Daniel Guide, Ph.D. (Georgia) Associate Professor of Operations and Supply Chain
Management
Terry P. Harrison, Ph.D. (Tennessee) Professor of Supply Chain and Information
Systems
C. John Langley, Ph.D. (Penn State) Clinical Professor of Supply Chain Managemen
Douglas J. Thoma,s Ph.D. (Georgia Tech) Associate Professor of Supply Chain
Management
Evelyn A. Thomchick, Ph.D. (Clemson) Associate Professor of Supply Chain
Management
John E. Tyworth, Ph.D. (Oregon) Professor of Supply Chain Management
Page 136
The Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management (MPS/SCM) is awarded to
students who demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, problem-solving competencies, and
leadership skills that are critical to leading business transformation through integrated supply
chain planning and execution. The program emphasizes problem-based learning coupled with
integrative, collaborative learning experiences to develop the requisite knowledge, skills, and
abilities for effective supply chain management. Instruction is delivered on line and in a short
residency course at an on- or off-campus location, so that working professionals will can
complete the degree as part-time students working largely or entirely, off campus.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the GENERAL
INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin. Applicants apply for admission to the
program via the Graduate School application for admission.
Students applying to the professional MPS/SCM degree program must be admitted by both the
MPS/SCM program and the Graduate School at The Pennsylvania State University. The
Graduate School requires applicants to have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally
accredited institution earned under residence and credit conditions substantially equivalent to
those required by Penn State.
Applicants whose first language is not English or who have received a baccalaureate or master's
degree from an institution in which the language of instruction is not English must take either the
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing
System (IELTS) module and submit the results of that test with the application for admission.
The TOEFL test is offered in different formats depending on location. A score of at least 600 on
the paper-based TOEFL or 250 on the computer-based TOEFL must be attained. A minimum
total score of 80, along with a minimum score of 23 on the speaking portion, is required for the
Internet-based test (iBT).
Information about the TOEFL can be obtained by writing to the Educational Testing Service,
Box 6155, Princeton, NJ 08541-6155 or visiting their web site at . Alternatively, a minimum
composite score of 6.5 on the IELTS test is required for admission. Information about the IELTS
can be obtained by contacting IELTS International, 100 East Corson Street, Suite 200, Pasadena,
CA 91103 or visiting its Web site at www.ielts.org (Opens New Window).
Admission to Additionally, the graduate program in Supply Chain Management requires:
•
•
A completed application for graduate study, including Graduate School application fee
A current resume, along with a statement of professional experience and goals. This
statement of approximately two pages must describe the applicant's professional goals,
experience, and responsibilities. The statement must also indicate why the applicant is
applying to the professional MPS/SCM program at Penn State
Page 137
•
•
•
•
One letter of recommendation relevant to the applicant's professional capabilities, such as
preferably from the employee's immediate supervisor, which should address the
applicant's readiness for graduate study
Official transcripts from all completed graduate and undergraduate coursework postsecondary institutions attended
An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or grade average of "B" or better in
graduate courses completed since the first bachelor's degree, with at least 6 credits of
graduate courses completed to qualify under this option. Applicants with an
undergraduate GPA below 3.0 may be admitted in limited circumstances at the discretion
of the program, where the applicant demonstrates an exceptional record of professional
achievement. In such circumstances, the program may require, as a condition of
admission, completion of course work to make up deficiencies or fill in gaps in prior
education.
Official Graduate Management Admission Test scores reported directly from the testing
center to Penn State
A committee consisting of three SC&IS Department faculty meetonce annually periodically to
review applications and identify applicants qualified for admission. Admissions decisions are
based on a review of a complete admission portfolio, includingan the application, the statement
of professional experience and goals, athe current resume, official transcripts from each
undergraduate and graduate all post-secondary institutions attended, the letter of
recommendation, and the GMAT scores. An applicant's credentials are compared to the
standards set by other candidates in the current application pool. Approved applicants are
admitted in time to enroll for the fall semester offerings that begin in early August.
Degree Requirements
Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements stated in the DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Students earn the professional MPS/SCM degree by successfully completing a minimum of 30
graduatecredits, in supply chain management courses and including 26 credits of required
courses and 4 credits of approved SCM electives. The required courses are: SCM 530 (3), SCM
800 (4), SCM 801 (1), SCM 812 (2), SCM 822 (2), SCM 842 (2), SCM 850 (4), SCM 860 (4), B
A 803 (1), and the capstone course SCM 594 (3). Elective credits will be chosen from a list of
approved courses maintained by the program office.
Students must complete a high-quality research project professional paper as a the culminating
experience .for the degree, while enrolled in the capstone course SCM 594 (3). The research
project professional paper demonstrates the student’s ability to apply advanced supply chain
management knowledge to a supply chain-related problem or situation in a way that makes a
substantial contribution to the student's professional development.All MPS/SCM credits must be
earned in courses at the 500 level or above, including at least 6 credits at the 500 level. The
professional paper demonstrates the student's ability to apply advanced supply chain
management knowledge to a supply chain-related problem or situation in a way that makes a
substantial contribution to the student's professional development. The program requires a
Page 138
cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 and no course grade below a C. All requirements
for the professional MPS/SCM degree, including acceptance of the professional paper, must be
met within four years of admission to degree status. Students are expected to make continuous
progress toward the degree. Leaves of absence, however, may be granted under exceptional
circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
The program requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 and no course grade
below a C. All requirements for the professional MPS/SCM degree, including acceptance of the
research projectprofessional paper, must be met within four eight years of admission to degree
status. Students are expected to make continuous progress toward the degree. Leaves of absence,
however, may be granted under exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis, at the
discretion of the program.
Penn State allows a maximum of 10 transfer credits of high-quality graduate work to be applied
toward the requirements for a graduate degree, subject to restrictions outlined in the Transfer
Courses section of the Graduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 10 credits of high-quality graduate work completed at other accredited
institutions may be applied toward the requirements for the professional MPS/SCM degree.
However, credits earned to complete a previously completed professional or academic
postbaccalaureate degree, whether at Penn State or elsewhere, may not be applied to a second
postbaccalaureate degree program at Penn State. Approval to apply any transferred credits
toward a degree program must be granted by the student's academic adviser or program and the
Graduate School. Transferred academic work must have been completed within five years prior
to the date of first degree registration at the Graduate School, must be of at least B quality
(grades of B- are not transferable), and must appear on an official graduate transcript of an
accredited university.
Prescribed Courses
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (SCM)
530. Supply Chain Analysis (3)
594. Research Topics (3)
800. Supply Chain Management (4)
810. Transportation and Distribution (4)
820. Strategic Procurement (4)
Page 139
840. Supply Chain Project Management (4)
850. Supply Chain Design and Strategy (4)
860. Supply Chain Transformation and Innovation (4)
Student Aid
Refer to the Student Aid section of the Graduate Bulletin. Students in this program are not
eligible for graduate assistantships.
Fellowships, traineeships, graduate assistantships, and other forms of financial aid are described
in the STUDENT AID section of the Graduate Bulletin.
Courses
Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate
courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements
when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may
register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous
education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT (SCM) course list
Page 140
V.
Letters of Support
Hi Gary and Mike,
My sincere apologies as I must have read the message too quickly. I reviewed all of the
individual courses and immediately concurred with each individual course, but I did not
realize you were looking for feedback to the email.
The change proposal for the MPS in SCM and graduate certificate in SCM, if extremely
well done! The proposed program structural changes clearly are beneficial to students
and schedules. The proposed content update for the individual courses are well
thought out and incorporate what I would consider all of the key strategic areas that
graduates would need to be familiar with related to supply chain management and excel
in their careers. The advanced manufacturing option with the inclusion of the three
industrial engineering courses is a great opportunity for students. When I was a supply
chain manager at GE, I also owned industrial engineering and I know that in a
manufacturing focused business it is very important for supply chain professionals to
understand basic IE concepts. I also strongly agree with the three IE courses that were
selected.
I really do not have any suggested changes, as I believe it is very well done and your
team has done a tremendous job at developing this change proposal.
Very well done!
Best Regards,
Frank DeWolf
Gary:
It wasn't a big change nor did it address what I would call a fatal flaw.
Therefore, suffice it to say that I have read the proposal as well as the descriptions of
the new and revised courses and find all to be an improvement over the existing
program. I approve of the proposal.
Rich
Hi Rich:
Thank you. I will defer to Mike on the question of whether we need anything
more – my understanding for change proposals is that e-mail correspondence
indicating support or not is sufficient. Please forward the editorial change –
Page 141
although the proposal went to the Senate office yesterday, we'll incorporate it if
we are given the opportunity to do so. Thanks again.
Best,
Gary
Gary Gittings ([email protected])
Director, On-line Graduate Programs, Department of Supply Chain and
Information Systems
and Senior Research Associate, Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation
Institute
489B Business Bldg.
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1875
From: Young-Rich <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2016 8:11 AM
To: Gary Gittings <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Curricular Changes to Smeal's MPS-SCM - Program Proposal
Gary:
I'm fine with this, but having served on the Subcommittee for the Grad School for 5
years and chaired for 2 years, I can make a small editorial change. What is most
important, however, is whether you would want a letter of support from me.
Please let me know.
Rich
------------------------------------------I'm okay with this proposal.
Brent Ambrose
Sent from my iPhone
To Members of Smeal’s Graduate Policy Committee:
Page 142
Attached please find a proposal for changes to the Smeal College’s MPS in Supply Chain
Management. These changes will align the program with the University’s academic
calendar, update course material, and introduce an Advanced Manufacturing option that is
being co-sponsored with the Industrial Engineering Department. The proposal highlights
the changes being made along with an appendix listing all new courses being added to the
program with brief descriptions. Planning for these changes has been ongoing for several
months. Faculty within the SC&IS Department along with faculty in Smeal and across the
University have been engaged in the planning process that has resulted in these changes.
-----------------------------------------------
I am also okay with the proposal. The changes make a lot of sense.
-----------------------------------------------------------Dennis P. Sheehan
Faculty Director, EMBA & iMBA Programs
Benzak Professor of Finance
Smeal College of Business
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3072
----------------------------------------------------I approve the proposal.
Evelyn Thomchick
Supply Chain & Information Systems
I am OK with the proposal.
Tony Kwasnica
Risk Management Department
--------------------------------------------This is fine with me.
Wayne DeSarbo
Marketing Department
--------------------------------------------------
Hi Meg:
Some further follow-up on the concern raised regarding the Graduate Bulletin paragraph
on transfer credits. The Graduate School conducted an informal review of our proposal and
returned comments last Friday. Statements regarding Admission Requirements, Degree
Requirements, and transfer credits were edited. Applicants are now provided links
to Graduate School Bulletin pages where specific information on policy and procedures are
posted. These changes align with Graduate School language which appears to be a new
standard as new programs and program changes are reviewed.
Page 143
An example of the transfer credits statement reads as follows:
"Penn State allows a maximum of 10 transfer credits of high-quality graduate work to be
applied toward the requirements for a graduate degree, subject to restrictions outlined in
the Transfer Courses section of the Graduate Bulletin."
I know the above leaves you with some concerns for the number of transfer credit requests
the program may receive. However, in my opinion it would not be productive at this point
to request revisions to the Graduate School's modifications. As indicated previously, in
practice we have not received many requests for transfer credits even though the current
Bulletin wording on transfer credits is very similar to the above. I think the Grad School's
intent is for the program to carefully review requests for transfer credits on a case-by-case
basis and to approve such requests only in very limited circumstances. I assure you that
we have been and will continue to be very careful in considering requests for transfer
credits. Only requests reasonably aligned with objectives and learning outcomes in our
courses have been or will be submitted for Graduate School consideration and approval.
Best regards,
Gary
Dr. Gary Gittings ([email protected])
Director, On-line Graduate Programs, Department of Supply Chain and Information
Systems
and Senior Research Associate, Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation
Institute
489B Business Bldg.
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1875
From: Meg Meloy <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, March 18, 2016 10:32 AM
To: Gary Gittings <[email protected]>
Cc: Gilpatrick-Mike <[email protected]>, Sheehan-Dennis <[email protected]>, Evelyn Thomchick
<[email protected]>, Brent Ambrose <[email protected]>, Tony Kwasnica <[email protected]>,
Wayne DeSarbo <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Curricular Changes to Smeal's MPS-SCM - Program Proposal
Thanks Gary! In understand. That said, can we tone that paragraph down and
start with a different opening sentence that makes it clear this isn't a given
(along the lines of "in special circumstances..." ). I'm really worried that someone
Page 144
will test the system with an online program like DeVry or Phoenix) and then it
will be a mess!
Sorry to be holding up the process!!!!
Meg
On Mar 18, 2016, at 9:51 AM, Gary Gittings <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Meg:
Appreciate the question. Since the inception of the MPS/SCM degree program in
2007, we've followed Grad School policy and guidelines regarding requests for
transfer credits. Thus, if an applicant inquires about the possibility of transfer
credits, both the Grad School and the program vet the courses, including syllabi,
for applicability to the MPS/SCM degree program.
In practice, there have been very few requests for transfer credits during the 9
years the program has been in operation. Most requests have been for courses
the applicant has used to satisfy the credit requirements of another degree
program – such credits do not qualify for transfer credit. The few (less than 3)
requests that have been approved have come from students who began in other
high quality programs, such as Michigan State and University of San Diego, and
desired to transfer from those programs to our program at Penn State.
The bottom line is that transfer credit requests are considered on a case-by-case
basis and very few are approved. Hope this helps to ease your concerns
regarding transfer credit policy and practice.
Best regards,
Gary
Dr. Gary Gittings ([email protected])
Director, On-line Graduate Programs, Department of Supply Chain and Information
Systems
and Senior Research Associate, Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation
Institute
489B Business Bldg.
Pennsylvania State University
Page 145
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1875
From: Meg Meloy <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, March 18, 2016 12:00 AM
To: Gilpatrick-Mike <[email protected]>, Sheehan-Dennis <[email protected]>, Evelyn Thomchick
<[email protected]>, Brent Ambrose <[email protected]>, Tony Kwasnica <[email protected]>,
Wayne DeSarbo <[email protected]>
Cc: Gary Gittings <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Curricular Changes to Smeal's MPS-SCM - Program Proposal
All,
I'm fine with the proposal overall, except I don't understand why we are allowing up to 10 credits to be
transferred in.
it’s a short program and by giving transfer credit, it seems like we will dilute the value of the
program? Maybe I’m not fully appreciating the reasoning behind accepting transfer credit.
Further, suppose someone is doing a master’s degree at someplace like University of Phoenix and s/he
wants to transfer in 10 credits? We state that we will take 10 credits transferred from a "high quality"
program. Yet how is “high quality” going to be defined? Do we need to be more explicit?
Other than the transfer credits, I think its a good idea....
Meg
Margaret "Meg" Meloy
Calvin E. and Pamela T. Zimmerman University Endowed Fellow
Professor of Marketing
Smeal College of Business
The Pennsylvania State University
444 Business Bldg
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-0687
From: JAMES A NEMES <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 4:31 PM
To: Gary Gittings <[email protected]>
Cc: Brian Cameron <[email protected]>, Nicholas Petruzzi
<[email protected]>, Gilpatrick-Mike <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Request for consultation - program proposal change for Supply Chain
Management MPS
Gary,
Page 146
We have no objections to the proposed changes to the Online M.P.S program in SCM. A
couple minor comments for consideration.
1) How will the program offer electives in what is otherwise a cohort program? Also, I can
appreciate the rationale for maintaining flexibility in the list of electives but what 4 credit
courses are currently available as electives for students to take?
2)
The rational for the 1 credit courses has been presented and is reasonable, but it seems that
the reliance on 1, 2, and 4 credit courses in the program reduces the possibility of students from
other programs taking those courses. Does this present any concerns?
Best of luck with the proposal. I am currently reviewing the course change proposals and
should have them complete in the next day or so.
Jim
James A. Nemes, D.Sc.
Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
School of Graduate Professional Studies
Penn State Great Valley
30 East Swedesford Road
Malvern, PA 19355-1443
Phone: 610-648-3335
Fax: 610-648-3377
[email protected]
May 20 Reply to Jim Nemes
From: Gary Gittings <[email protected]>
Date: Friday, May 20, 2016 4:54 PM
To: JAMES A NEMES <[email protected]>
Cc: Brian Cameron <[email protected]>, Nicholas Petruzzi
<[email protected]>, Gilpatrick-Mike <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Request for consultation - program proposal change for Supply Chain
Management MPS
Hi Jim:
To close the loop, below are our responses to your comments on the supply chain
program change proposal. Thank you again for your review and
comments. Have a good weekend.
1) How will the program offer electives in what is otherwise a cohort program? Also, I
can appreciate the rationale for maintaining flexibility in the list of electives but what 4
credit courses are currently available as electives for students to take?
Page 147
Currently, the following electives are available for students. However, not all of
these courses are offered each semester (some of the following courses are
currently in the University course approval process and thus do not yet appear in
the Graduate Bulletin).
SCM 815: Product Realization: Development, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain
SCM 846: Topics in Supply Chain Management
SCM 814: Logistics and Transportation Management
SCM 824: Strategic Procurement
SCM 844: Global Manufacturing and Service Operations
IE 573: Manufacturing with Materials
IE 574: Advanced Manufacturing
IE 587: Additive Manufacturing
2) The rational for the 1 credit courses has been presented and is reasonable, but it
seems that the reliance on 1, 2, and 4 credit courses in the program reduces the possibility
of students from other programs taking those courses. Does this present any concerns?
In comparison to our previous program curriculum where most courses were 4
credits each, we believe the new curriculum provides more flexibility for students
from other majors to enroll in online supply chain courses. Penn State online MBA
students for example, may now have more opportunity to fit a 2 credit supply chain
course into their program of study than they were able to do in the past. We have
not had a large number of students in other majors enroll in supply chain courses
(2-8 per year over the last 6 years). Thus, viability of the supply chain online
master’s program or the ability to offer any particular course in the program has not
been dependent upon enrollments from other majors.
-Dr. Gary Gittings ([email protected])
Director, On-line Graduate Programs, Department of Supply Chain and
Information Systems
and Senior Research Associate, Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation
Institute
489B Business Bldg.
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1875