Step inside the classroom
Our students are not just pursuing a high-quality, globally respected Penn State education—you’re recognizing problems, creating solutions, and using your Liberal Arts education and out-of-classroom experiences to make it happen.
You’re not just scholars—you’re entrepreneurs, campus leaders, activists, founders, creators, inventors, and more. And once you’ve earned your degree, you’ll be prepared to go out in the world and do even greater things.
But while you’re here with us, we want to make sure you’re receiving the support and guidance you need to be successful. Learn more about our academic resources below.
Academic Integrity
As a student in the College of the Liberal Arts, it’s critical to remember that you’re part of an academic community in which the sharing and advancement of knowledge is a core value. To that end, the college—and the University at large—enforces high standards of academic integrity to ensure our intellectual enterprise operates at the highest standards.
Honoring the principles of academic integrity is a fundamental responsibility for all students, and the college is dedicated to maintaining an environment in which practicing academic integrity is the norm. We have a number of resources in place to help you understand all policies and procedures.
Academic Recovery
In order to earn a high-quality degree from the College of the Liberal Arts, it’s critical to ensure your long-term academic success. Students who fail to make adequate progress towards maintaining at least a 2.00 cumulative grade–point average (GPA) are placed in academic warning and academic suspension. However, there are steps students can take to get themselves back in academic good standing. The process starts by meeting with the college’s academic recovery specialist, who can discuss challenges that impeded your academic progress and formulate a plan to improve your academics.
Departments and Degree Programs
With nearly 150 undergraduate 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. Our programs are intellectually rigorous and continually evolving to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.
The college is home to highly accomplished teachers and researchers devoted to their 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. In addition, our centers and institutes facilitate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary research and outreach geared around numerous subjects of academic and societal importance.
Honors Education
Pursuing an honors education not only demonstrates your commitment to a high-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. Available to students within and aspiring to the University’s Schreyer Honors College, 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.
Srishti Ponnala
Lenneya Murray
Paris Pavelchik
Katelyn Davis
Sean Eden
Brooklynn Jones
Dean’s List
A reflection of your academic success, Penn State’s Dean’s List honors students who have earned a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher for the completed semester. This achievement puts you among the top students at Penn State and is a reflection of both your ability and hard work.
Commencement
Commencement is the joyous capper to your College of the Liberal Arts and Penn State journey. We want the experience to be a special one for both you and your guests, so you’ll want to make sure to cover all your bases, from notifying the University of your intent to graduate and satisfying all of your degree requirements to knowing where to go and what to wear on the big day.
