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Penn State College of IST
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Helpful Links
Search
SARI training is a required component of all Penn State graduate programs. It helps you explore and discuss ethical issues relevant to your field of study.
You will be emailed instructions on how to access and complete the training. SARI completion is required for graduation.
If you are in the MPS in Homeland Security – Information Security and Forensics option, SARI training is built into HLS 803. Completion of that course satisfies the requirement.
Before each semester, the Office of Graduate Programs will email you important registration details, including dates and deadlines.
When planning your schedule, refer to your program’s audit sheet. It outlines all degree or certificate requirements, approved electives, and helps you track your progress. If your planned courses differ from the audit sheet, contact the Office of Graduate Programs so we can recommend courses to take in future semesters.
Check the Registration Timetable to find out when you're eligible to enroll. The credit total used includes both completed and currently scheduled credits.
If you're military-affiliated or have a disability, you may qualify for priority registration. To activate this, follow the appropriate steps for Military Students or Students with Disabilities.
Log into LionPATH to register as soon as you're eligible. Course seats are not guaranteed.
Before registering, make sure to:
Complete the Pre-Registration Activity Guide
Agree to the Financial Responsibility Agreement
Clear any account holds. If you have a financial hold on your account, contact the World Campus Bursar Office.
You’ll receive an email from the College of IST with registration details before enrollment opens. You can also use LionPATH’s Class Search to browse available courses. Uncheck "Show Open Classes Only" to view all offered courses and join the waitlist of any that are currently full.
You cannot self-enroll in 400-level courses through LionPATH. To register, contact the World Campus registration staff to have them schedule you in these courses.
You can ignore undergraduate prerequisites like IST 220 and SRA 221. These don’t apply to graduate students.
LionPATH may still block registration, so contact World Campus directly for enrollment.
Check your audit sheet to understand graduate-level prerequisites and course sequencing.
Once you're registered, review and purchase any required materials for your courses.
Go to Class Search in LionPATH.
Find and select a class section.
Click "View the World Campus Course Catalog" for materials, requirements, and a sample syllabus.
Log into your Student Center in LionPATH.
Click the blue "More" button next to your Class Schedule.
Select the hyperlinked section number.
Click "View the World Campus Course Catalog" for materials, requirements, and a sample syllabus.
At the graduate level, expect to spend 3–5 hours per week per credit. For a 3-credit course, that’s about 12–15 hours per week. Actual time may vary by student and course.
Taking two courses per semester (fall, spring, and summer) allows you to complete a 33-credit degree in two years.
The Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Information and Security Technology Architecture certificates (9 credits) can be completed in as little as two semesters.
The Information Systems Cybersecurity certificate (15 credits) can be completed in three semesters.
Graduate degrees must be completed within eight years from your first semester unless an extension is approved.
Courses are delivered through Canvas, Penn State’s course management system. Log in with your Penn State user ID and password.
IST and Enterprise Architecture courses are available one week before the semester starts.
Other courses may open on the first day of the semester.
If you don’t see your course by day two, email ISTonlinegrad@psu.edu.
All assignments and quizzes are submitted electronically via Canvas. Instead of proctored exams, expect team-based projects and labs.
Before the semester begins, make sure you meet the World Campus Technical Requirements to ensure a smooth online experience.
You can drop or swap courses directly in LionPATH.
Starting in the second week of the semester, dropping below full-time status or your original credit level may result in a tuition penalty.
Tuition adjustments are based on the effective drop date and follow Penn State’s Tuition Adjustment Policy.
Your audit sheet is your go-to resource for planning your degree or certificate. It helps you:
Only schedule courses listed on the audit sheet for your degree or certificate.
If you are enrolled in one of the programs below and currently hold the CISSP certification, email ISTOnlinegrad@psu.edu to request the CISSP Waiver Request form. We will verify your certification and review our options to waive a course if you hold this certification.
After starting your first semester, you may request to transfer graduate credits from another institution. Email ISTonlinegrad@psu.edu for the transfer credit form and instructions.
To qualify, courses must meet Graduate School policy GCAC-309:
Not previously used toward another degree.
From a regionally accredited institution.
Completed within the last five years.
Earned a grade of B or better (B- not accepted).
Relevant to your current degree program.
If you have courses to transfer that meet these requirements, your credits are most often transferred in as electives. Typically, no more than nine credits or three courses can be transferred in.
If you want to continue your education beyond your current master’s degree, you may consider pursuing a concurrent degree. For full details, refer to policy GCAC-209.
You must have completed at least six credits toward your current degree, but submit the application before you are 75% done with your first degree.
Maintain a 3.5 GPA.
You must complete two separate capstone projects or theses, one for each degree.
You can double count up to four courses towards both degrees, with additional credits depending on the second degree program.
Both degrees must accept shared courses toward their requirements.
If you’re interested, email ISTonlinegrad@psu.edu to request the concurrent degree application form.
In your final semester(s) you should schedule your capstone course. Please see the option(s) below based on your degree major.
IST 594: Research Project, 3-credit – In this course students, guided by the instructor, conduct research of interest. Students are trained to identify a specific problem within a general topic area, frame a research question, conduct a literature review, and develop a research plan to collect and analyze data. Then students continue by implementing the research plan, actually collecting and analyzing a small amount of data, and presenting results in a formal research paper.
Choose one of the two options below:
IST 594: Research Project, 3-credit – In this course students, guided by the instructor, conduct research of interest. Students are trained to identify a specific problem within a general topic area, frame a research question, conduct a literature review, and develop a research plan to collect and analyze data. Then students continue by implementing the research plan, actually collecting and analyzing a small amount of data, and presenting results in a formal research paper.
EA 878: Enterprise Architecture Leadership, 3-credit – This course covers EA leadership, EA decision making and strategic planning and EA management and communication and provides students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world situations. Students are trained to identify a few specific problems related to EA leadership and conduct a critical literature review with intent to evaluate the sources selected for reviewing.
Choose one of the two options below:
IST 594: Research Project, 3-credit – In this course students, guided by the instructor, conduct research of interest. Students are trained to identify a specific problem within a general topic area, frame a research question, conduct a literature review, and develop a research plan to collect and analyze data. Then students continue by implementing the research plan, actually collecting and analyzing a small amount of data, and presenting results in a formal research paper.
IST 894: Cyber Event Simulation and Analysis, 3-credit – This 3-credit course uses a Cyber event simulation (often referred as Cyber Range), which by its nature, allows for a variety of real-world Cybersecurity scenarios/problems to be simulated for students. Students are expected to utilize the knowledge and skills gained in previous coursework to solve each Cybersecurity scenario/problem in a given week of the class. IST 894 is completed in one semester, should be scheduled in your last or next to last semester.
In today’s global economy, effective teamwork is essential. With organizations spread across continents and remote work on the rise, you'll need to collaborate with diverse teams at all hours—and do it well.
All of our courses include team-based work to help you practice real-world collaboration. While there’s no formal course on teamwork, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to refine your skills. Here are three key reminders for successful team collaborations:
Start with a Get-to-Know-You Meeting. Build trust early. Teams that connect and invest in one another perform better.
Create a Team Contract or MOU. Establish clear expectations. Discuss individual and team goals, project milestones, collaboration tools, and communication practices.
Evaluate Progress Midway. Hold a check-in meeting halfway through your project. Use the 3-Bin Assessment tool to evaluate what's going well, what’s acceptable, and what needs improvement. Complete an Improvement Plan to outline team goals for improvement before issues arise.
By taking stock early, you can ensure smoother, more successful collaborations throughout the semester.
You can take a semester off without incurring extra fees or needing to reapply to your program.
If you skip fall or spring semester, you must complete a resume study form before enrolling in the next semester.
No form is required if you don't take courses during the summer semester.
You must apply for graduation in LionPATH at the beginning of the semester in which you'll complete their degree requirements. You’ll receive instructions and deadlines via email at the start of the semester.
Diplomas are mailed 4-8 weeks after commencement.
Degrees are posted to your transcript 1-2 weeks after commencement.
A separate World Campus Graduation Reception and Tour is held the Friday evening before commencement. Invitations will be sent directly to graduates.
You must reserve your seat for commencement. Details will be sent via email. Seating for family and friends is first-come, first-serve.
Find commencement dates on the Commencement website.
Degree Type: Master’s
