The Certificate of Educational Engagement for Division of Undergraduate Studies students is designed to encourage and recognize a student's active involvement in educational and co-curricular activities as part of their enrollment in the division.

• Am I required to complete the certificate?
  
  No. Students enrolled in the Division of Undergraduate Studies are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete the Certificate of Educational Engagement.
  
  
  
  
• Why should I complete the certificate?
  
  “You can get a scholarship, learn more about yourself and Penn State, make a great bond with your adviser, and wind up with a job and degree you love by doing this certificate! It'll really help [you] be well-rounded: academics, a club to get involved [in], volunteer work, and getting to know faculty.”  –Eva B., former DUS student currently majoring in Journalism
  
  As a result of completing the Certificate of Educational Engagement, you should be able to:
  
  

  • manage information, procedures, and resources in an active relationship with your academic adviser to develop and carry out your educational plan;
  • define, refine, and articulate your interests, abilities, values, motivations, and personality traits, and explain how those personal characteristics relate to your academic goals;
  • use various sources of information to learn about majors and other academic programs, classify these programs according to criteria relevant to your goals, and distinguish between choice of major and choice of career;
  • recognize the wide variety of academic and co-curricular opportunities available to you and incorporate these opportunities into your educational plan.

  
  
  
  
• Who can earn the certificate?
  
  A student who is currently enrolled in the Division of Undergraduate Studies at the University Park campus and has been enrolled at Penn State for at least two semesters can earn the certificate.
  
  
  
  
• How do I apply for the certificate?
  
  You must complete a Certificate of Educational Engagement application form and submit it, along with appropriate documentation, to your assigned academic adviser in the division no later than the end of final exams in the semester in which you have met the criteria.
  
  Completed Sample Forms
  
  Sample copies of a student's completed application form, Educational Engagement Experience essay, advising notes, “qualifying for a major” form, summary statement, “major interests” form, and verification form are available to help you in preparing your application for the Certificate of Educational Engagement.
  
  
  
  
• How do I qualify for the certificate?
  
  To earn the certificate, you must meet qualifications in all four of the following areas:
  
  

  1. Academic advising: Working closely with a DUS adviser while enrolled in the division
  2. Educational inquiry: Investigating and understanding educational programs
  3. Academic achievement: Qualifying for at least one major of interest
  4. Co-curricular activities: Participating in at least two of these activities

  
  
  
  
• How will I be recognized for my accomplishment?
  
  Official Certificate and Public Acknowledgement
  
  All students who meet the qualifications for the Certificate of Educational Engagement will receive a printed certificate (see sample) and their accomplishment will be recognized in Penn State's student newspaper, the Collegian.
  
  Scholarship Award
  
  All students who earn the Certificate of Educational Engagement will automatically be considered for a $500 scholarship award. The scholarship will be given to the student who submits the most outstanding application.
  
  The process of selecting a scholarship recipient will take place after the certificates have been awarded following the end of spring semester. The scholarship will be awarded for the following fall semester.

Use the Certificate of Educational Engagement application form (see sample) as a checklist for completing the requirements to earn the certificate.