Suggested Academic Plans (SAPs)

Suggested Academic Plans (SAPs) are eight-semester guides you can use to meet degree requirements. All SAPs are maintained for each major.

Entrance to Major Requirements

All Penn State majors have entrance requirements. Minimum entrance requirements for the Engineering Major:

University Bulletin

Refer to the University Bulletin when seeking the latest information about the Penn State's academic programs and courses.

Curriculum Overview

The first two years focus on foundational engineering coursework, which can be completed at Penn State Abington or Penn State Brandywine. The next two years of advanced engineering coursework are completed at the new engineering facilities at Penn State Great Valley, where students will study engineering design with an emphasis on robotics applications.

The engineering program is designed to prepare graduates for:

  • employment in public or private sectors in fields such as design, research and development, experimentation and testing, manufacturing, and technical sales.
  • a level of competence and expertise that will lead to an increasing level of responsibility and leadership within an organization.
  • effective communication and collaborative work in multidisciplinary and multicultural work environments.
  • appreciation of the global, environmental, social, and ethical contexts of their work.
  • a commitment to lifelong learning to enhance their careers and provide flexibility in responding to changing social and technical environments, which will enable graduates to pursue advanced degrees or certificate programs.

The MDE program develops technical and problem-solving skills, written and oral communication skills, teamwork and leadership skills, all of which culminate in a two-semester senior design engineering project and a compulsory internship in the engineering industry.

In addition to rigorous engineering, mathematics and physics coursework, engineering students are strongly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research projects in engineering and robotics, engineering club activities, local industry internships, and engineering opportunities abroad.

Complementary Minors and Certificates

The following minors complement the curriculum of the engineering degree:

  • Engineering Leadership Development
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENTI)
  • Information Sciences and Technology
  • International Engineering