Academics | College of the Liberal Arts
Skip to content
Academics
Future Students
Academics
Future Students
Academics
Step inside the classroom
The College of the Liberal Arts provides our students with the opportunity to pursue a transformative, globally respected Penn State education. Led by world-class scholars and teachers working within the humanities, social sciences, and languages, our departments, programs, and research institutes will provide you with a classic liberal arts education that also puts you on the path to a gratifying career.
During your education, you’ll be instilled with all the core liberal arts values—communication, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and appreciation for other cultures and other times—while having the opportunity to pursue out-of-classroom experiences like internships, education abroad, and research that allow you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and grow personally and professionally. You’ll get to work with scholars leading their respective disciplines, collaborate with students with similar interests, and connect with our vast network of college and University alumni who can serve as mentors and help you build your professional network.
Schedule a Visit
Apply Now
Students collaborate during a group study session in the Welch Building.
A student participates in a virtual reality demonstration during a communication arts and sciences course.
Degree Programs
With
nearly 150 undergraduat
majors, minors, integrated undergraduate-graduate degrees (IUGs), associate degrees, and certificates
to choose from, the College of the Liberal Arts truly has something for everyone no matter what your academic or career aspirations are. Taught by first-rate faculty with deep research and professional experience, our programs are
intellectually rigorous and constantly evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing workplace.
Explore our Degree Programs
Departments
Our college
is made up of
highly accomplished
teachers and researchers
devoted to
the
ir individual focuses within the
humanities
, social
sciences
, and languages
. Each department and program
promotes
and
nurtures your academic journey
through in-person and online
instruction
and research, all with the
goal
of producing graduates
well-
prepared to be exemplary professionals and global citizens. Meanwhile, our c
enters and institutes facilitate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary research and outreach
geared around numerous
subjects
of
academic
and
societal importance.
View our Departments
Jeremy Hoffman leads a School of Public Policy class in the Welch Building.
Student Services
Committed to developing deep interpersonal relationships with students, the college’s Student Services staff will connect you with all the resources and opportunities you’ll need to succeed before and after you receive your degree. Located in Sparks Building, the college’s academic and administrative home, our Students Services include the following offices:
Academic Advising
Academic Scholarships
Career Enrichment Network
Chaiken Center for Student Success
Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity
Paterno Fellows Program
Explore Student Services
As a peer adviser, I see firsthand how much care goes into helping students succeed, and as a student myself, I’ve relied on the Career Enrichment Network staff for guidance, encouragement and reassurance as I’ve explored internships and career paths. They genuinely want to see students thrive.
Shelby Corbett
First-generation student Camren found “a mentor who felt like family,” and a community that would shape her Penn State journey at the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. She was paired with peer mentor Kaisha Garvin-Darby (’24 Psychology), who shared her academic and career interests.
Camren Boyogueno
The Liberal Arts Chaiken Center is a space where students can study, connect, and feel supported. It also offers events and resources that help students grow academically and personally.
Camren Boyogueno
The transition from Delany's hometown in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to college was not easy as a first-generation college student. "You’re the first for everything — the first to figure out the future for your family and beyond." Delany's turning point came when she visited a Liberal Arts peer adviser and heard about the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. Facing financial uncertainty, she connected with center Director Patty Klug, who introduced her to the Chaiken Scholars program and other resources.
Delany Moreno
The Career Enrichment Network is filled with kind and intellectual people who push you to be the best person you can be here at Penn State and set yourself up for success post-grad.
Kayla Lynch
If you pursue a liberal arts education without a structured career path in mind, it may make it more difficult to find a job after college. Learn what you're good at, speak to the career coaches in the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, and research roles you think best align with your skills.
David Gross
Chaiken Center
Chaiken Scholar
First-Gen
Camren Boyogueno
’26
Psychology
Biology (minor)
Psychology
Biology (minor)
First-generation student Camren found “a mentor who felt like family,” and a community that would shape her Penn State journey at the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. She was paired with peer mentor Kaisha Garvin-Darby (’24 Psychology), who shared her academic and career interests.
Chaiken Center
Chaiken Scholar
First-Gen
Delany Moreno
’26
Criminology
Political Science (minor)
Sociology (minor)
Criminology
Political Science (minor)
Sociology (minor)
The transition from Delany’s hometown in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to college was not easy as a first-generation college student. “You’re the first for everything — the first to figure out the future for your family and beyond.” Delany’s turning point came when she visited a Liberal Arts peer adviser and heard about the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. Facing financial uncertainty, she connected with center Director Patty Klug, who introduced her to the Chaiken Scholars program and other resources.
Campus Leader
Chaiken Center
Mentoring
Mentorship
Jasmin Tanner
’26
Global and International Studies
World Literature (minor)
Global and International Studies
World Literature (minor)
Jasmin started at Penn State Altoona before transferring to University Park as a second-year student. Together with Patty Klug, Jasmin created the “change-of-campus lead mentor” role at the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center. In this position, Jasmin has been given the opportunity to build the initial framework and foundation of the position and work to develop the mentorship, support and resources. She advocates for more resources on behalf of her peers to ensure other first-gen and change-of-campus students aren’t left to navigate campus alone.
Chaiken Center
Mentoring
Alexa Sanchez
’26
Psychology
Criminology
Psychology
Criminology
On campus, Alexa serves as a peer success coach in the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center, a role she described as an honor and a responsibility. “I wanted to be the help I received from the coaches and everyone in the center when I first arrived at Penn State.”
Chaiken Center
Internship
Alexa Sanchez
’26
Psychology
Criminology
Psychology
Criminology
This past summer, Alexa received hands-on experience as an intern at Erimo Abogados, an immigration law firm in Madrid, Spain. Working entirely in Spanish, she assisted with legal documentation and traveled to different government offices to request paperwork. All aspects of the internship worked to the general goal of helping clients navigate Spain’s immigration system. This experience was partially funded by the Chaiken Center Endowment.
Chaiken Center
Mentorship
Diana Lopez
’26
Psychology
Psychology
Reflecting on her own experiences, Diana shared that her first year of college was a difficult one, marked by academic struggles and challenges in getting involved. She started attending Liberal Arts Chaiken Center events regularly and soon learned about the opportunity to become a peer success coach, realizing it would be a great way to support students going through similar struggles.
Penn State’s honors programs expanded my academic horizons while giving me mentors who genuinely care about my goals. Being part of these communities helped me realize that my perspective as a Malian woman in international studies is valuable and needed.
Fatoumata Doumbia
The great thing about the Paterno Fellows Program is it provides a great backbone and structure that encourages students to excel and push themselves. It can be hard in a regular environment to approach a professor about a research opportunity, apply for that leadership position you’re not sure you’re cut out for or take the more rigorous class at the risk of a higher workload. With a program like Paterno Fellows, there is a clear, defined goal with the necessary support to reach that goal, which makes it that much easier to take those risks and strive to succeed.
Owen Perry
There were conversations I had through the college that really impacted the way I have conversations now with my peers and with my supervisors. It makes me feel like I’m competent and capable.
Jamie Nguyen
I did a lot of civic engagement back in Philly, so I really found a passion for politics. My academics have allowed me to gather a greater sense of the world around me, both of the world itself, as well as the systems we live under. I’ve really been able to understand how culture impacts us, and I’ve been able to discover the world outside of my circle.
Zion Skyes
When I learned about the Paterno Fellows Program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to push myself academically and personally. It has enriched my Penn State experience by exposing me to opportunities I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise, like honors classes that challenge me to think in new ways.
Elisabeth Egeli
The Paterno Fellows Program challenged me by placing me into honors courses that emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills. These are valuable skills that can benefit me not only in my academic pursuits but also in my personal and professional life. Becoming a Paterno Fellow has also granted me the amazing opportunity to join the esteemed Schreyer Honors College.
Brooklynn Jones
Honors Education
Pursuing an honors education
not only
demonstrates your commitment to a quality
college experience
but it
could very well put you at an advantage when
the time comes to apply for a job or
graduate school.
vailable to students within and aspiring to the University’s
Schreyer Honors
Colleg
e, the Paterno Fellows Program is the college’s signature honors experience and includes
enhanced
out-of-class requirements
The college also has a couple departmental honors programs.
Learn More about Honors Education
Campus Leader
Paterno Fellows
Schreyer Scholar
Student Organizations
Cara Arnoldi
’26
Political Science
Communications Arts and Sciences
Public Policy (master's degree)
Political Science
Communications Arts and Sciences
Public Policy (master's degree)
For Cara, a Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar — Penn State was more than just a college choice — it was a legacy. Her parents met as Penn State students in the Blue Band, making it no surprise that she now leads the organization as president during its milestone 125th anniversary.
Criminology
Paterno Fellows
Psychology
Schreyer Scholar
Kara Stover
’26
Criminology
Psychology
Criminology
Psychology
Kara’s work as a firefighter and her academic path have opened new doors for her future, blending her skills in criminology and psychology with a deep commitment to public service. She said she’s considering fire investigation as a potential career, a path that would allow her to unite her academic background and real-world experience in a meaningful way.
Global and International Studies
Paterno Fellows
Political Science
Schreyer Scholar
Zion Skyes
’25
Political Science
Global and International Studies
Political Science
Global and International Studies
With a strong foundation in the liberal arts, Zion is charting a path toward a career in governmental consulting or international law. His leadership as UPUA president and transformative experiences at Penn State have prepared him to make a lasting impact, with plans to further his education at law school.
Campus Leader
Paterno Fellows
Political Science
Schreyer Scholar
Student Organizations
Zion Skyes
’25
Political Science
Global and International Studies
Political Science
Global and International Studies
Zion’s desire to get involved and passion for civic engagement led him to joining University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) to learn about the issues that mattered most to the Penn State community. “When I first joined, I served as the State College Borough Council liaison, which allowed me to understand how we as the University interact with the town. I was able to deliberate with people who cared about a variety of issues.” Now, UPUA president, he has two main goals he would like to accomplish: update the 19-credit surcharge at Penn State, which he said will assist in making sure education is accessible to all students and help transition Penn State’s Fostering Lions Program, an organization that aims to “improve postsecondary education outcomes for students entering Penn State from the foster care system,” to a different area of the University where it may be able to more effectively assist students.
Criminology
Paterno Fellows
Psychology
Schreyer Scholar
Elisabeth Egeli
’26
Criminology
Psychology
Sociology (minor)
Criminology
Psychology
Sociology (minor)
From a young age, Elisabeth has been driven by one of her biggest passions: understanding the psychology of crime. “I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior, particularly about criminals. I want to understand why people commit crimes and how psychology and societal factors intersect in shaping those decisions.”
Campus Leader
Paterno Fellows
Schreyer Scholar
Student Organizations
Lenneya Murray
’25
Criminology
Sociology (minor)
Criminology
Sociology (minor)
Lenneya is a Paterno Fellow, Schreyer Scholar, Bunton-Waller Fellow and first-generation student who channels her leadership skills into advocacy and empowerment. Throughout her undergraduate journey she has gotten involved on campus and has embraced numerous leadership roles to maximize her experience at the University, including being the former president of Penn State’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and now the second vice president of Pennsylvania’s NAACP Youth and College Division, where she oversees all of the NAACP college chapters across the state.
Future Students
Future Students Overview
Academics
Academics Overview
Degrees
Departments
Student Services
Honors Education
Beyond the Classroom
Admissions
Admissions Overview
Schedule a Visit
Apply
Future Paterno Fellows FAQs
Transfer Students
Change-of-Campus
Funding
Liberal Arts Experiences
Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging
CURRENT Students
Current Students Overview
Academics
Academics Overview
Academic Integrity
Academic Recovery
Policies
Degrees
Departments
Honors Education
Dean’s List
Commencement
Funding
Funding Overview
Academic Scholarships
Enrichment Funding
Emergency Funding
Schwartz Fellows Program
Beyond the Classroom
Beyond the Classroom Overview
Education Abroad
Undergraduate Research
Internships
Professional Development
Student Organizations
Professional Development
Professional Development Overview
Alumni Mentor Program
Assess Your Strengths
Applying for Jobs
Interviewing
Negotiating Offers
Student Services
Student Services Overview
Academic Advising
Academic Scholarships
Career Enrichment Network
Chaiken Center for Student Success
Paterno Fellows Program
Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging
Graduate Students
Graduate Students Overview
Admissions
Find a Program
Degrees
Apply
Graduate Funding
Awards
Graduate Research
Career Diversity
Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Belonging
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Overview
Graduate Alliance for Diversity and Inclusion
Get Funding
Get Funding Overview
Upcoming Events
Apr
24
African Studies Global Virtual Forum: Decoloniality and Southern Epistemologies–Inge Brinkman, Teshome Mossissa, Peter Wasamba
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Apr
24
Center for Language Science Speaker Series: Shana Poplack
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library
Apr
24
“Disappearing Rooms: Contemporary Immigration Politics and Experimental Research Methods”
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
226 Burrowes Building
Apr
24
“The Risk of Freedom: Ethics, Phenomenology and Politics in Jan Patocka”
noon–1:00 p.m.
Apr
24
Empathy and Moral Psychology Lab Meeting
12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
130 Moore Building
Apr
24
Film Screening: Selections from Untitled Ongoing Project
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Carnegie Cinema, 113 Carnegie Building
Apr
24
The Penn State Film Studies Working Group
6:00 p.m.
Carnegie Cinema, 113 Carnegie Building
Apr
28
Summer Internship Launch Party
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, 101 Sparks Building
Apr
28
Study Buddy Dates
3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success, 139 Sparks Building
Apr
28
Alumni Career Conversations: Careers in Consulting
4:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
Apr
29
Commencement Card Pickup
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
119 Sparks Building
Apr
29
Drop-In Career Support
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, 101 Sparks Building
Apr
29
Developmental Psychology Colloquium Speaker
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
127 Moore Building, University Park
Apr
29
Global and International Studies Program Awards Ceremony
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
233AB HUB-Robeson Center
Apr
30
Alumni Mentor Program Pizza Party
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success, 139 Sparks Building
Trending Pages
Future Students
Research
Academic Advising
Enrichment Funding
Degree Programs