Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for admission to the IR Certificate Program?
Is it possible to take individual IR Certificate courses without enrolling in the program?
Will online IR courses be offered each semester and summer?
How many credits can be transferred toward the IR Certificate Program?
What is the procedure for receiving credits from AIR Summer Institutes?
What are the tuition costs for auditing a course?
Can students come to Penn State and complete the Certificate in a year?
Do you have a list of available courses?
How is the Certificate awarded?
What is the deadline for admission to the IR Certificate Program?
Rolling admissions are on-going; there is no deadline. The IR Certificate Faculty Committee meets every month (once during the summer) and reviews the applications.
Is it possible to take individual IR Certificate courses without enrolling in the program?
Yes, we expect to have space, but enrollment preference in each course will be given to students admitted to the Certificate program.
Will online IR courses be offered each semester and summer?
Yes, usually two each semester. Our plan is to offer the high demand courses every year, and the low demand ones every other year.
How many credits can be transferred toward the IR Certificate Program?
Six graduate-level credits received at other college or university can be transferred toward the 18-credit Penn State IR Certificate. Credits from AIR-sponsored summer institutes will be treated as transfer credit, unless the student registers for the course (and pays tuition) at Penn State. The appropriateness of particular courses is a judgment by the Faculty Advisor made in consultation with the student.
Is it possible to transfer Penn State Certificate credits toward another graduate degree to be completed at Penn State or another university?
All of Penn State's IR Certificate courses are graduate level courses; therefore, they would be transferable toward a graduate degree here or elsewhere. However, individuals should consider the curricular and credit transfer policies at the institutions to which you wish to transfer credits. Guidelines for The Graduate School at Penn State place a limit of 15 on the number of certificate credits that can be accepted toward a graduate degree at Penn State.
What is the procedure for receiving credits from AIR Summer Institutes?
The Penn State Certificate program will give graduate credits for AIR-sponsored summer institutes in one of two ways (1) as transfer credit, or (2) the student registers for the institute as an independent study course (and pays tuition) at Penn State. In either case, credits will be given after the student attends the full institute and submits a 6-10 page paper (single spaced) summarizing the learning material of the institute and discussing how they are planning to apply the material learned. [Currently 2 credits can be earned for the typical four-day AIR institute, and 3 credits for the NSF/NCES summer data policy institute.]
What are the tuition costs for auditing a course?
The cost for auditing an on-line World Campus course is the same as taking the course for credit. Please refer to the World Campus web site for current tution information. There is a once-per-year technology fee. Auditing students are expected to keep up with instructional assignments but they need not take exams.
Can students come to Penn State and complete the Certificate in a year?
Whether in residence at University Park or on line at a distance, students may complete the certificate in a year by taking at least two IR courses per semester and two in the summer. These may be taken also in combination with AIR summer institutes.
Do you have a list of available courses?
Yes. See the schedule of upcoming courses on the IR homepage. You may also review a list of all courses on the Courses and Curriculum page.
How is the Certificate awarded?
The Certificate is awarded by turning in the Program Completion Notification & Application for Certificate to your advisor. The advisor will then notify the staff assistant in Higher Education to grant the certificate. The certificate is mailed to the awardee at the address provided on their original application unless otherwise specified.
