A highly regarded “public ivy” (a public university fit to compete with the Ivy League), Penn State was founded in 1855 and has since grown to be one of the largest public universities in the nation through its many campuses and robust online program. As a forerunner in distance-learning, beginning with mail programs in 1898, Penn State can legitimately claim over one hundred years of experience in distance learning practice. The Penn State World Campus, Penn State’s online-learning program, launched in 1998 and now offers over 70 degrees from associates’ to bachelors’.
All World Campus programs are accredited through MSACS, with the iMBA further accredited by the AACSB, and the World Campus was ranked by US News and World Report as among the top online graduate programs. The online format allows for networking opportunities with professionals all over the world, and two week-long residencies over the course of studies allow students to participate in workshops and team-building activities with real US firms such as Bayer, Michelin, and Ramada-Doubletree.
The application process requires:
• Online application
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Statement of Intent
• Two official transcripts from each higher-education institution attended. A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Official GMAT or GRE test scores
No professional experience is required, though two years are recommended.
World Campus students are eligible for Federal Student Aid, as well as deferred and third-party payment (such as by an employer), and military veterans may take advantage of significant tuition assistance. Online students receive all access to student services, including library, and all courses are taught by full-time Penn State faculty. Tuition is $59,000 for the 2-year iMBA program.
Attending courses through the World Campus also gives students the benefit of joining Penn State’s impressive alumni association, the largest in the nation with over 160,000 due-paying members, and all of the networking potential such a large family of alumni provides.