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My biggest hurdle was balancing a full-time course load and a military career. While finishing my degree, I averaged nine months a year deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq -- first as a forward air controller with the Air Force and then as a civilian defense contractor. The flexibility of my instructors and the staff at the World Campus is the only reason that I was able to finish my degree. Everyone went above and beyond to make sure I had options for turning my work in or taking a test, no matter what the circumstances were. I can remember taking my textbooks on patrol, then turning in several weeks’ worth of assignments all at once when I got back to the base for my poor professor to grade. 

Dustin Hatfield
Idaho

About Us

Penn State World Campus

Be Exceptional

We believe that knowledge empowers people to do great things in this world. We also believe that you shouldn’t have to put your life on hold to gain that knowledge.

The idea of distance education is not a new concept for us. We’ve been offering Penn State courses at a distance for more than 100 years. In 1892, Penn State founded one of the nation’s first correspondence courses. And in 1998, we were one of the first major accredited universities to provide online education.

At Penn State World Campus, our mission is making sure you have access to a quality academic experience, even if you have job and family obligations to fulfill. If you can’t come to one of our brick-and-mortar campuses, we’ll bring our campus to you.

We are...

convenient, flexible, quality

Our online courses are the same academically challenging courses taught on campus. Yet our online courses are flexible; the asynchronous format allows you to learn at your convenience without stepping onto a campus. And in the end, the degree or certificate you earn as a World Campus student is identical to the one awarded to all of our Penn State graduates on campus.

We are...

passionate, driven, achievers

Our students come from all 50 states, more than 40 countries, and 7 continents; yet they share the goal of making their lives better through education.

We are...

world-renowned faculty

Our faculty, the same faculty who teach on campus, are well-respected leaders in their fields and are renowned experts in the subjects they teach. They are also committed to making sure you get a quality academic experience in your online courses.

We are...

caring, dedicated

Our staff understands that adult students deal with outside responsibilities and challenging life circumstances. We are there to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.

We are Penn State — online.