The University's goal is to adjust to shifting student interests and to accommodate all qualified students in the undergraduate majors of their choice. When limitations of space, faculty, or other resources make this goal unattainable, the college dean responsible for the major may request administrative enrollment controls.

Entrance to majors with administrative enrollment controls is determined by enrollment in the appropriate college, completion of the application process, completion of specified courses, and academic performance. Applicants are considered for admission on the basis of their cumulative Penn State grade-point average (GPA) typically after three semesters. Provided that all of the other requirements for admission have been met, students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher cannot be denied entry to most controlled majors. However, special criteria apply to one major in The Smeal College of Business Administration, one major in the College of Communications, and three majors in the College of Engineering.

The following information has been provided by John Romano, Vice Provost and Dean for Enrollment Management and Administration. For additional information about administrative enrollment controls, consult the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook. For more information about a particular controlled major, contact the advising center of the appropriate college.

Entrance Criteria for Film/Video: Applicants must be 4th semester or higher and have received a grade of C or better in COMM 150 and a grade of B or better in COMM 242.

*Advertising/Public Relations: Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.30 to be guaranteed admission.

Entrance Criteria for Elementary and Kindergarten Education: By the end of fall 2004, applicants must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher: CI 295, ENGL 015 or 030, EDPSY 014, EDTHP 115, PSY 002, and PSY 213 (6 cr.) or HDFS 229 or EDPSY 010 (3 cr.), 6 credits of quantification (GQ) including MATH 200, U.S. History selection, Natural Science (GN) selection, and a literature selection. Courses in progress during spring 2005 will be considered if the cumulative GPA criterion is met at the end of fall 2004. In addition, by the end of fall 2004, candidates must achieve qualifying scores for the PRAXIS tests in reading, writing, and mathematics and must document 80 hours of volunteer or paid education work experience with learners of the age group they plan to teach. At least 40 of these age-appropriate 80 hours must be with learners whose cultural, social, or ethnic backgrounds differ from the candidate's own.

Entrance Criteria for Secondary Education: By the end of fall 2004, applicants to all options must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher: CI 295, EDPSY 014, EDTHP 115, PSY 002, 6 credits of quantification (GQ), and a literature selection. Additional required courses for each option (listed below) must be completed by the end of fall 2004 with a grade of C or higher. Courses in progress during spring 2005 will be considered if the cumulative GPA criterion is met at the end of fall 2004.

In addition, by the end of fall 2004, candidates must achieve qualifying scores for the PRAXIS tests in reading, writing, and mathematics and must document 80 hours of volunteer or paid education work experience with learners of the age group they plan to teach. At least 40 of these age-appropriate 80 hours must be with learners whose cultural, social, or ethnic backgrounds differ from the candidate's own.

English Communication—ENGL 015 or 030, 200-level writing, CAS 100A

Foreign Language/Bilingual Education—Proficiency equivalent to 12 credits in the applicable foreign language, demonstrated either by course work or examination, plus applicable: FR 201 and 202, GER 201, LAT 100, RUS 204, or SPAN 200

Mathematics—MATH 140, 141, 220, 230, C S E 103

Biological Science, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and Physics—
All options: CHEM 012, 013, 014, 015; MATH 140, 141
BIOL: also BIOL 110, 220; PHYS 201 or 215
CHEM or PHYS: also PHYS 201, 202; or 211, 212
E & SP: also BIOL 110; PHYS 201, 202; or 211, 212

Social Studies—HIST 020, 021, PL SC 001, SOC 001, GEOG 020 or 030

Entrance Criteria for Special Education: By the end of fall 2004, applicants must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher: EDPSY 014, EDTHP 115, PSY 002, PSY 213, HDFS 129, 6 credits of quantification (GQ), and a literature selection. Courses in progress during spring 2005 will be considered if the cumulative GPA criterion is met at the end of fall 2004. In addition, by the end of fall 2004, candidates must achieve qualifying scores for the PRAXIS tests in reading, writing, and mathematics and must document two separate 40-hour experiences in two different settings, with learners who have special needs. One experience should include learners with a different level of severity or functioning from those learners in the other experience. One experience should also include learners with cultural, social, or ethnic backgrounds different from the candidate's own.

Entrance Criteria: Applicants to Engineering majors must have completed MATH 140, MATH 141, CHEM 012, and PHYS 211 with a grade of C or better. (Note: for Computer Science majors, CSE 120 would replace CHEM 012.)

*Bioengineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering: Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.30 to be guaranteed admission.

Entrance Criteria: Student must have completed IST 110, 210, and 220 with a grade of C or better.