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Graduate Certificate in
Additive Manufacturing and Design

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Summary Courses Careers Costs and Aid

Establish foundational knowledge of additive manufacturing (3D printing) and improve the critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills needed by additive manufacturing engineers with this online certificate program.

100% Online

Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.

Apply by June 1 to start August 26

12 Credits $1,132 per credit

Gain the Skills You Need to Succeed in the Additive Manufacturing Field

  • Design lightweight structures, consolidate assemblies of multiple components into a single part, and functionally grade structures to improve performance.

  • Maintain the highest ethical standards in applying additive manufacturing to industry-relevant problems. 

  • Apply foundational knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in the uses of additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping across industries.

  • Identify the barriers to industry adoption associated with additive manufacturing technologies and projects. 

This 12-credit, non-laboratory graduate certificate can provide you with knowledge and skills in additive manufacturing and design that can open doors to new career paths and further education focused on additive manufacturing and design.

Required Courses (select 12 credits)

Complete three of the following four courses to earn this graduate certificate.

  • 4
    credits

    Comprehensive study of the fundamentals, process characteristics, economics, and practical applications of various additive manufacturing processes.

  • 4
    credits

    Explores processes with a focus on the fundamentals of sintering and fusion of metals, ceramics, and polymers.

  • 4
    credits

    Explore design methods and tools for additive manufacturing, including opportunistic and restrictive aspects of different additive manufacturing processes and their related industry applications.

  • 4
    credits

    Focuses on the state of the art in understanding processing, structure, and property relationships in materials fabricated using additive manufacturing.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.

Career Services to Set You Up for Success

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From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.

  • Opportunities to connect with employers
  • Career counselor/coach support
  • Occupation and salary information
  • Internships
  • Graduate school resources 

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by June 1 to start August 26. How to Apply

Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.

Graduate Tuition

Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? Cost
11 or fewer $1,132 per credit
12 or more $13,587 per semester

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? Cost
11 or fewer $1,143 per credit
12 or more $13,723 per semester

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

Paying for Your Certificate

Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.

Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.

Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.

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Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.

Continue Your Additive Manufacturing Education Online through Penn State World Campus

All of the credits you earn by completing your Graduate Certificate in Additive Manufacturing and Design may be applied toward a Master of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design, should you apply and gain acceptance into the program.

Position yourself to be a leader in the fast-growing 3D printing industry. This online master's program draws upon the resources and faculty of Penn State’s renowned College of Engineering to offer students the analytical and practical skills required for using additive manufacturing technologies.

Learn more  
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Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.

Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser. 

To Finish Your Certificate in One Year

  • Take 2 courses each semester 

To Finish Your Certificate in Two Years

  • Take 1 course each semester

 

Convenient Online Format

This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

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Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.

Information for Military and Veterans

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Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.

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Apply by June 1 to start August 26

Application Instructions

Deadlines and Important Dates

Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.

  • Fall Deadline

    Apply by June 1 to start August 26

  • Spring Deadline

    Apply by September 1, 2024, to start January 6, 2025

Steps to Apply

  1. For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree in engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, materials science, or a related discipline from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

    For admission to the program, a 3.0 grade-point average (or equivalent) is needed. Exceptions to the minimum 3.0 GPA may be made for students with special backgrounds, abilities, and interest. A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience is recommended.

  2. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

    Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed — Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

    GPA and Test Scores —  All applicants are expected to have earned a junior/senior grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Official GRE scores are not required but will be considered if submitted. GRE scores can be submitted using institution code 2660.

    English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with some exceptions. Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page.

    References (3) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of three references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each reference requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment to success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.  

    Program-Specific Questions/Materials

    Résumé — Upload your résumé to the online application.

  3. To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.

    Create a New Penn State Account

    If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

    Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.

  4. You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

    • Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
    • Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

    Checking Your Status 
    You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form. 

    Technical Requirements  
    Review the technical requirements for this program.

  5. 5. Complete the application.

    The Graduate School Application

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].

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Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.

To learn more about the Penn State World Campus Graduate Certificate in Additive Manufacturing and Design, please contact:

Allison M. Beese, Ph.D.
Professor, Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering
Director, Additive Manufacturing & Design Graduate Program 
[email protected]

Jaclyn Stimely
Assistant Director, Additive Manufacturing and Design Graduate Program
Room 104, The 230 Building 
University Park, PA 16802
[email protected]

The Graduate Certificate in Additive Manufacturing and Design is offered in partnership with industry experts from the Penn State College of Engineering.

Faculty

  • Allison Beese

    • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State

    Dr. Allison Beese is a professor of materials science and engineering and mechanical engineering. Her research interests are in experimental and computational multiscale mechanics of materials ranging from metals to composites. Her research focuses on developing experimental methods to elucidate the connections among the microstructure, macroscopic deformation, damage accumulation, and failure properties of materials. Using experimental data, physically based large deformation and failure models can be developed to predict component performance.

  • Joseph Bartolai

    • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
    • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
    • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State

    Dr. Joseph Bartolai is an assistant research professor at the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory. Dr. Bartolai's research areas of interest include thermoplastic polymers, lattice structures, build optimization, in-situ temperature measurement, and mechanical testing.

  • David Corbin

    • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
    • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
    • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State

    Dr. David Corbin is an assistant research professor at the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory. Dr. Corbin's research areas of interest include prediction and control of part deformation, sensor/data analytics for determining the quality of AM components, process control, and machine learning.

  • Sanjay Joshi

    • Ph.D., Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
    • M.S., Industrial Engineering, SUNY Buffalo
    • B.E., Production Engineering, University of Bombay

    Dr. Sanjay Joshi is a professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), with specific focus on computer-aided process planning, additive manufacturing, control of automated flexible manufacturing systems, and topics in advanced manufacturing.

  • Nicholas Meisel

    • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University

    Dr. Nicholas Meisel is an assistant professor of engineering design and mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Programs at Penn State. He is the director of the Made by Design Lab, which conducts research in the area of design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) as well as its role in engineering education. Dr. Meisel's current research centers on high-level, innovative DfAM concepts (e.g., functionally graded multi-material printing, in-situ embedding) and the impact of process parameters on part design and manufacturability.

  • Ted Reutzel

    • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
    • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
    • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State

    Dr. Ted Reutzel has been involved in arc- and laser-based metal processing since 1993, with emphasis on welding and cladding, and more recently with emphasis on metal-based additive manufacturing. He has managed numerous programs to investigate and implement laser material processing across a wide range of applications. He has also authored and co-authored book chapters and provided invited articles and invited talks internationally.

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Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State graduate certificate?

Apply by June 1 to start August 26. How to Apply

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