Individual Studies

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Individual Studies student

About this program

Sometimes you can’t find the perfect major to match your career ambitions. And that’s’ OK. With 100+ majors and a host of courses supporting each one, we’re able to connect the dots and create a personalized path that’s as unique as your goals.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

Flexible Curriculum

12

Credit Concentration

Easily Transfer from Any Penn College Program

Featured

Technology & Society

This course analyzes of the interaction of society, culture, and technology while emphasizing industrial transitions and evaluating implications for the arts, ideology, popular culture, and social structure.

Learn more

Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Individual Studies Discipline Elective (ISE)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP) or
  • Core Applied Arts Perspective (AAP) or
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP) or
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP) or
  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition II (ENL121) or
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201) or
  • Speech Elective (SPC)
  • Mathematics Elective (MTH)
The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College
Facilities

The Dr. Welch Workshop: A Makerspace at Penn College

Take hands-on learning to the next level. Explore your creativity. Collaborate with others. Bring your ideas to light. Tomorrow is in the making. The makerspace is a workshop where you can collaborate with students, faculty, and staff, or work independently to test theories, explore ideas, and gain real-world skills to power your career.

Check it out

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Student Government Association (SGA)

Student Government Association (SGA)

Let your voice be heard! Attend the next meeting to learn what’s new or consider running for a senate seat. 

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Career Services
Support throughout your journey

Support throughout your journey

Career Services offers a host of support services to help you hone in on your passion. Unsure which major best aligns with your goals? By taking an online career assessment, you can explore your interests and see where they lead. Then discuss test results with our professional staff. Career Services will support you through all phases of your journey from the selection of your major to finding the perfect job.

Learn more

Penn College News
04.10.2023

April 15 service to honor sociology faculty member

A memorial service will be Saturday, April 15, for Douglas M. Sherry, a part-time sociology instructor at Penn College, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 57. Among the survivors is his wife, Laura M. Dickinson, an associate professor of English-composition.

10.10.2022

History professor serving as AP history exam’s chief reader

A Pennsylvania College of Technology professor is serving as the chief reader for the World History: Modern Advanced Placement exam. As chief reader, Craig A.

06.02.2021

Students earn Innovation Engineer Blue Belt credential

Twenty-seven Pennsylvania College of Technology students received Innovation Engineering Blue Belt certification following their successful completion of all modules within the Principles of Innovation course at the college. The course teaches the fundamentals of innovation, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving and stimuli for effective innovation.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

Learn More

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

Learn More
More Information

Students in Individual Studies select courses based on their individual goals. Advisers assist students with course selection and the sequencing of courses that fit the students' goals and that provide students with the skills and knowledge related to their specified area of concentration.

Courses that students have successfully completed while enrolled in another program will automatically transfer if they satisfy designated requirements for the Foundations, Perspectives, and other electives. All other courses will be evaluated to determine their fit with the student's goals.

View general transfer information

Individual Studies is the most flexible major offered by the College. Designed for students whose goals are not met by any other curriculum, Individual Studies offers students an opportunity to explore more than one career area at a time or simply to follow a program for personal enrichment while earning a degree or to upgrade work-related skills and knowledge. The Individual Studies degree has been used on occasion by students as a pre-major, especially for students interested in the liberal arts and sciences.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page in our Course Catalog for general requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair