PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Increase your earning potential as you increase your knowledge. Earning a college degree is one of the most important steps toward career advancement and higher earning potential.
FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE
Work toward your personal and professional goals while retaining the flexibility to take traditional classroom instruction, days, nights, or weekends; to study from home; or to study anytime, anywhere online. Make a pathway to success.
RELEVANT SKILL BUILDING
Build practical work skills that you can use immediately, including a solid foundation in labor and industrial relations, leadership, and organizational and community development.
THERE FOR YOU
Whether you have questions about class times, financial aid, technical problems, or even parking, let us be your guide.
PERSONAL ADVISING
If you are returning to school to complete your degree, many of your credits from other institutions could transfer. Call and speak to an adviser about how your credits can work for you.
PENN STATE PRESTIGE
Earn your degree from a nationally recognized educational leader. Your employer will know you have a degree of excellence, and you will benefit from an alumni network that is half a million strong.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This 123-credit (minimum) degree program provides students with flexibility by offering classes in the Conference Center at the Penn State New Kensington, as well as through online and distance learning. The program draws on many of the disciplines of the liberal arts to illuminate the work and employment issues that all leaders face in the twenty-first century. All students are expected to develop proficiency in research methodology, critical analysis, communication, and the application of theory. Students can expect to learn and practice skills that focus on understanding how organizations function, both formally and informally, and how individuals function within organizations.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (minimum 123 credits)
Requirements for the Major (64 credits)
Prescribed Courses (25 credits)
CAS 283 Communication and Information Technology I (3 credits)
ECON 002 Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy (3 credits)
ECON 004 Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy (3 credits)
ENGL 215 Introduction to Article Writing (3 credits)
PSYCH 281 Industrial Psychology (3 credits)
PSYCH 485 Leadership in Work Settings (3 credits)
SOC 207 Research Methods in Sociology (3 credits)
STAT 200 Elementary Statistics (4 credits)
Supporting and Related Courses (39 credits)
Select 39 credits: At least 12 credits in each of the three following areas and at least 15 credits at the 400-level.
I. Employer and Employees
L I R 136/WMNST 136 Race, Gender, and Employment (3 credits)
L I R 458Y History of Work in America (3 credits)
PHIL 010 Critical Thinking (3 credits)
PHIL 103W Introduction to Ethics (3 credits)
PSYCH 100 Psychology (3 credits)
PSYCH 484 Work Attitudes and Motivation (3 credits)
SOC 035 Sociology of Aging (3 credits)
SOC 456/WMNST 456 Gender, Occupations, and Professions (3 credits)
II. Law, Policy, and Organizations
ADM J 111 Introduction to the American Criminal Justice System (3 credits)
ADM J 482 Seminar, Criminal Justice Agency Administration (3 credits)
L I R 100 Industrial Relations (3 credits)
L I R 201 Employment Relationship: Law and Policy (3 credits)
L I R 424 Employment Compensation (3 credits)
L I R 435 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 credits)
PL SC 001 Introduction to American National Government (3 credits)
PL SC 490 Policy Making and Evaluation (3 credits)
III. Workplace Dynamics
CAS 352 Organizational Communication (3 credits)
CAS 452 Organizational Communication Theory and Research (3 credits)
CAS 475 Studies in Public Address (3 credits)
ECON 315 Labor Economics (3 credits)
ECON 342 Industrial Organization (3 credits)
SOC 404 Social Influence and Small Groups (3 credits)
SOC 455 Work and Occupations (3 credits)
Additional Courses (59 credits)
In addition to the major requirements, students must complete 41 general education credits and 18 elective credits, chosen from multiple course offerings available through Penn State New Kensington or Penn State World Campus. Transfer credits may apply.
Scholarships
For more information:
Continuing Education Office
Penn State New Kensington
3550 Seventh Street Road
New Kensington, PA 15068-1765
Telephone: 724-334-6010
Adult Learner Handbook (pdf)
Transfer Guides: