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GOAL
This certificate is intended to recognize the completion of course work, language study,
and international experiences that will contribute toward the attainment of a global perspective of
engineering.
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RATIONALE
The profession of engineering is becoming increasingly global, including geographically
distributed design teams, multinational companies and operations, global customer bases and markets,
regional and international standards, culturally influenced approaches to research and development,
and a world-view of the environment. As a result, there is a need for students to develop a global
perspective of their technical field and profession. The World-Class Engineer vision, developed by the
Leonhard Center for the Enhancement
of Engineering Education and adopted by the College in its strategic plan for undergraduate education,
underscores this aspect of professional success.
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REQUIREMENTS
- Three (3) credits of study in a second language at the 003 level (third-semester
or 12th credit) or higher as a Penn State student. Students who have acquired fluency or near fluency
in a second language prior to attending Penn State may fulfill this requirement by taking an advanced
course in the relevant language or through study at the 003 level or higher in a third language. The
language requirement can also be met with intensive study at an equivalent level and fluency while
studying or working abroad.
- Six (6) credits (typically two courses) of study in courses approved to meet
the International Cultures requirement (IL) of General Education.
- One to three (1-3) credits of approved study or work abroad, of at least six
weeks duration, consisting of course work, internship, research, etc. To document study or work
abroad, the credits earned can be Penn State credits associated with one of the formal study
abroad programs, credits for course work or research conducted at a foreign institution and
transferred to Penn State, or credits for ENGR 195I, 295I, 395I, or 495I taken during an
international internship or cooperative education assignment. Courses to be taken while studying
abroad should be chosen in consultation with the student's academic adviser, particularly those
intended to meet degree requirements.
- Completion of all degree requirements for a College of Engineering
baccalaureate program.
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TO ENROLL
Students will enroll in the certificate program through a request to the
engineering international programs adviser in the
Engineering International Programs
Office, preferably as soon as they have decided to pursue the certificate. Requests can be
made by completing and submitting the appropriate application to 205 Hammond Building. Any decisions on "equivalence" in meeting
the certificate requirements will be made by the engineering international program adviser in consultation
with the Assistant Dean for Student Services. The student's academic adviser and the engineering
international programs adviser will jointly affirm the completion of the requirements and a certificate
will then be issued by the College of Engineering at the time of graduation.
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