Find Your Path in Healthcare and Wellness

Pursuing a healthcare degree at Penn State equips you with a strong skill set and provides valuable experience beyond the classroom, preparing you for a successful career.

• Scientific inquiry and critical thinking: Learn to ask the right questions, analyze data, and apply evidence-based reasoning to solve complex problems.

• Research and innovation: Work in labs, participate in research projects, and develop new ideas that advance healthcare, science, and technology.

• Data analysis and problem-solving: Use statistical tools, computational models, and experimental design to interpret findings and drive discoveries.

• Hands-on learning and real-world application: Apply classroom knowledge through clinical rotations, internships, fieldwork, and service-learning projects.

• Healthcare technology: Learn to navigate and utilize cutting-edge medical technologies and systems to improve patient care and healthcare delivery.

• Healthcare impact and ethics: Explore how healthcare shapes communities and influences public health. Learn to navigate ethical challenges, contribute to policy decisions, and advance innovations that improve lives.

• Leadership and teamwork: Gain the skills to contribute towards scientific advancements, lead teams, and communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences.

Gain valuable real-world experience through internships and clinical rotations that connect you with leading healthcare organizations and professionals. These opportunities allow you to apply your classroom learning in real-world settings, develop critical skills, and build relationships with potential employers.

Internships offer short-term, hands-on opportunities to explore different healthcare roles, while clinical rotations provide in-depth, supervised practice in medical settings. Both experiences give you a competitive edge and help prepare you for a successful healthcare career after graduation.

Penn State’s patient care and medical technology programs are recognized among the best in the world, ensuring you receive a high-quality education that employers trust.

• Nutritional and Dietetics option (Nutritional Sciences major): Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

• Medical Laboratory Technology: Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

• : Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

• : Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

• : Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

The Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring that all Penn State nursing programs meet the highest standards in education, integrity, and patient care. This accreditation reflects a commitment to preparing skilled, compassionate nurses through hands-on clinical experiences, a well-rounded curriculum, and cutting-edge technology.

With three distinct degree pathways—a general bachelor of science in nursing, a second degree in nursing, and an R.N. to B.S.N. for registered nurses— to earn your B.S.N., Penn State offers flexible options whether you’re starting your nursing journey or advancing your career. A CCNE-accredited degree prepares you to deliver high-quality patient care, grow in the field, and make a lasting impact in healthcare.

Penn State’s Health Policy and Administration programs, available at seven campuses, is accredited by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA).

AUPHA is a global network committed to improving healthcare management and policy education. It promotes excellence in university-based health administration programs and prepares future leaders to enhance healthcare delivery worldwide.

Accreditation by AUPHA ensures students receive a high-quality education, recognized across the industry, and develop the skills needed for leadership roles in healthcare.

Penn State’s undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by ABET, the global standard for engineering education. This accreditation ensures our programs provide the technical expertise, hands-on experience, and problem-solving skills needed for success in cutting-edge engineering fields.

Employers recognize ABET-accredited degrees as a mark of quality and industry readiness, giving you a competitive edge in the job market and streamlining the path to professional licensure and certifications, opening doors to advanced career opportunities.

Prepare for medical school with a program that fits your goals. Explore multiple ways to prepare for a career in medicine through the Penn State Eberly College of Science, including two specialized premedicine options and strong degree pathways in biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and integrative science—all of which successfully prepare students to medical school. These programs provide a strong scientific foundation and tailored coursework to support your medical school ambitions.

As a healthcare student, you will develop essential leadership skills that will set you apart in the workplace. Our programs are designed to help you build the confidence, communication, and decision-making abilities necessary to take on leadership roles in healthcare settings.

Through coursework, group projects, and hands-on experiences, you’ll learn how to lead teams, manage challenges, and drive positive change in the healthcare industry. Whether you’re guiding a team of professionals or making strategic decisions that impact patient care, these leadership skills will be vital to your career success.

While you’re starting your undergraduate journey, it's important to know that advanced education options in healthcare are available for your future. Many of our healthcare degrees can lead to specialized graduate programs in fields like nursing, public health, healthcare administration, and more.

After completing your undergraduate studies, graduate pathways offer opportunities to deepen your expertise and advance in your healthcare career, opening doors to leadership roles and specialized positions.

Learn more about graduate healthcare and wellness programs.

Penn State offers comprehensive career services to help students confidently navigate their career. Our dedicated advisers provide personalized career counseling, resume workshops, interview prep, mock interviews, and job placement assistance.

With over 50,000 career preparedness programs annually and career fairs featuring top employers, we ensure you're well-equipped to succeed. There's a reason recruiters turn to Penn State graduates again and again.

You’ll also have access to networking opportunities with alumni, recruiters, and industry professionals to jumpstart your career.

Learn more about Career Services.

At Penn State, we provide unmatched networking opportunities through our world’s largest dues-paying alumni network, connecting students to a lifelong community of professionals.

With access to alumni and industry leaders, you’ll gain valuable insights, career advice, and potential job opportunities. Our alumni network and partnerships with top employers ensure that you're building relationships that will support your career for years to come.

Penn State offers a range of opportunities for students eager to launch their own businesses or drive innovation within existing industries. Through Invent Penn State, you'll have access to programs that support entrepreneurial education both in and outside the classroom.

Our signature programs provide students with the knowledge, resources, and mentorship needed to bring bold ideas to life. Whether you want to start your own venture or lead innovation within a company, Penn State provides the support to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

Learn more about Invent Penn State.

Broaden your perspective with over 300 study abroad programs in more than 50 countries, available year-round for all majors.

Whether through embedded programs that let you take classes while traveling during breaks or global service opportunities like alternative spring break, these experiences will deepen your understanding of international business and culture. Gain the global insights and connections that today’s leaders need to succeed.

Learn more about global learning opportunities.

At Penn State, undergraduates can dive into research projects that explore new ideas and trends. This experience will set you apart and give you a deeper understanding of your field.

Explore undergraduate research opportunities.

We are dedicated to shaping the future by fostering a community where all students are encouraged to share their unique perspectives. We believe that progress happens when we embrace and amplify ideas, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.

Our commitment goes beyond the classroom, weaving together integrity, leadership, and social responsibility. With a focus on creating positive change, Penn State prepares students to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact. From cutting-edge initiatives to global learning opportunities, we empower students to drive social good.

Penn State’s Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) degree programs allow students to pursue both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree as a continuous course of study. This streamlined path accelerates the completion of the master's degree and offers early exposure to graduate-level coursework. IUG students also benefit from networking opportunities with graduate students and faculty who share similar academic and career interests.

Learn more about IUG programs at Penn State.

Take your education further with honors programs, where high-achieving students gain access to small, discussion-based classes, faculty mentorship, and unique academic experiences.

With honors opportunities available across our campuses and Schreyer Honors College, you’ll engage in research, leadership development, and hands-on learning that sets you apart. Personalized advising, study abroad options, and career resources help you make the most of your college journey.

We offer more than sixty articulation agreements with colleges and universities around the world to help transfer students continue their education at Penn State. With hundreds of academic majors and campuses across Pennsylvania, you'll have plenty of options to find the right path for your future.