An undergraduate certificate acknowledges an area of specialty or grouping of courses that enhance the student’s degree program. Certificates are not certifications, which are only awarded by governmental and professional agencies.

Certificates

Enterprise Architecture

The EA certificate applies architecture principles related to the orderly arrangement of parts to analyze the components, structure and connectivity of business, data, application, technology and security architecture, and identify their relationships to each other and to the strategy of the organization. The primary purpose of describing the architecture of an enterprise is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and agility of the organization.

Information Sciences and Technology

The IST certificate explores how to strengthen the power of information and technology, and use it to increase human potential. This includes focusing on creating innovative systems and technological solutions that benefit businesses, organizations, and individuals, and understanding the role of technology in how we live our lives.

National Security Agency

The NSA certificate recognizes students who have completed the courses representing the required knowledge units as specified by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for Professionals as part of Penn State’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

Security and Risk Analysis

The SRA certificate provides introductory curriculum that covers information systems, information assurance (both digital and physical security) and intelligence analysis. Students explore information and communication technology-based infrastructures and how the data within them demonstrate our interactions with society, government, and the economy.

Earning a Certificate

Students wishing to earn a certificate must meet certain requirements, which include:

• earning a grade of C or better is required for all courses in the certificate
• earning a minimum of six and a maximum of 30 credits
• being defined as a Penn State student

Students interested in earning either the Enterprise Architecture or National Security Agency certificates must enroll in these programs through Update Academics within LionPATH before the semester in which application for graduation is submitted. Upon graduation, a notation will appear on transcripts indicating the completion of the certificate of enrollment.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Laurie Shirey.