Application deadline
Credits and costs
Earn a Graduate Certificate in Additive Manufacturing and Design Online
Additive manufacturing, more commonly referred to as 3D printing, is redefining how components are designed, manufactured, and certified. Building three-dimensional parts layer-by-layer gives engineers unprecedented freedom to design lightweight structures, consolidate assemblies of multiple components into a single part, and functionally grade structures to improve performance. To make the most of this revolutionary technology, engineers should have a firm grasp of the science and limitations of raw materials as well as the processes that allow them to be used in the design of parts and products.
Gain the Knowledge You Need to Succeed in the Additive Manufacturing Field
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. It can serve as an entry into fields that make use of 3D printing, including aerospace, consumer goods, energy, medical, and oil/gas. It's also an excellent way for established engineers to add foundational knowledge of this emerging technology to their résumé and skill set.
Your Additive Manufacturing and Design Course Work at Penn State
The three courses you will take as a student in this program will provide you with fundamental principles and applications of additive manufacturing and design. Some of the specific objectives of your course work include learning how to:
- apply foundational knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in the uses of additive manufacturing across multiple industries
- become a competent additive manufacturing engineer, while maintaining the highest ethical standards in applying additive manufacturing to industry-relevant problems
- identify the barriers to industry adoption faced by additive manufacturing technologies
- articulate the value proposition for additive manufacturing in a given industry
Courses
You can earn the Graduate Certificate in Additive Manufacturing and Design by successfully completing three of the four non-laboratory courses in the additive manufacturing and design graduate program. The 12-credit curriculum can help you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively across additive manufacturing domains.
Required Courses (select 12 credits)
Complete three of the following four courses to earn this graduate certificate.
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.
Costs and Financial Aid
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.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,132 per credit |
| 12 or more | $13,584 per semester |
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,143 per credit |
| 12 or more | $13,716 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.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.
Admission Requirements
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.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. 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.
Start Your Application
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.
Begin the graduate school application
- 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 general technical requirements for this program.
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.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
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.
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
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.
Contact Us
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]
Faculty
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Allison Beese
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DegreePh.D., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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DegreeM.S., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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DegreeB.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.
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Joseph Bartolai
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DegreePh.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
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DegreeB.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.
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David Corbin
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DegreePh.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
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DegreeB.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.
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Sanjay Joshi
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DegreePh.D., Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
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DegreeM.S., Industrial Engineering, SUNY Buffalo
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DegreeB.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.
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Nicholas Meisel
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DegreePh.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
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DegreeB.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.
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Ted Reutzel
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DegreePh.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State
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DegreeM.S., Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
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DegreeB.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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