Q: What background is necessary to apply to the Information Science Program?
A: Applicants to this program come from a wide variety of backgrounds and undergraduate degrees. Students who do not have the appropriate technical background may qualify to take preparatory courses to make the transition into the program.
Q. Is there someone with whom I can meet to review my application and be sure I have all the necessary material completed before I apply to a degree program?
A: Yes, the academic program manager will meet with you, and assist you in the process.
Q. What is the format of the program?
A: Our courses are offered in seven-week sessions and our program is not a cohort program, giving you the flexibility to take classes whenever is most convenient.
Q. Do I need a GRE or GMAT to apply to an engineering degree program?
A: No, the GMAT or GRE is not required. These tests are recommended only if you do not have strong academic credentials - usually a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Q. I hold a Penn State undergraduate degree, will some of my classes count?
A: No, classes count only toward one degree and upon completion of an undergraduate degree, classes cannot be applied to another degree.
Q: How many credits are required for the Information Science program at Penn State Great Valley?
A: 33 credits are required to complete the degree.
Q. How many classes am I allowed to take at once?
Typically, up to two classes for part-time students, and up to four classes for full-time students per semester.
Q: Do you allow students to transfer credits into the program?
A: A maximum of 10 graduate credits earned at an accredited institution may be applied toward the requirements for a master's degree at Penn State Great Valley. Approval to apply any transferred credits toward a degree program must be granted by the program director. Courses considered for transfer must have been completed within five years prior to the date of enrollment at Penn State, and must have a grade of at least a B.
Q: I've been out of school 15 years. Will I feel out of place taking classes after all that time?
A: The average age of our students is mid-thirties. You will find most of our students share the same concern about not having taken classes in quite some time, and how to juggle graduate school with an already busy life. Penn State Great Valley was designed for your needs, and we are ready to accommodate your busy schedule.
Q: Are there any concentrations in the program?
A: No, but there are two graduate certificates, Data Analytics and Cyber Threat Analytics and Prevention, that students can pursue, if interested.
Q: Am I allowed to hold an internship while completing the program?
A: Yes, students can have summer internships anywhere around the world.
Q. Can I conduct research as part of the program?
A: Yes, there are many research opportunities for students to work with professors on campus. Recently, students have worked on research projects that aim to generate text and audio captions for video indexing and improved accessibility, predict the taste of small molecules through advanced deep learning algorithms, classify negative online behavior, enhance business automation, and more.
Q: What is the tuition?
A: Each course is three credits. Find more tuition information.
