College Named One of Nation's Top Associate-Degree Producers
Published 06.28.2010
Pennsylvania College of Technology is ranked as one of the nation's top producers of associate degrees in an annual listing compiled by Community College Week, an independent source of in-depth information for and about two-year college programs.
Penn College ranks as high as second in the nation for specific areas of study, earning a second-place ranking in the category of Engineering Technologies/Technicians, third place in Precision Production, and ninth place in Natural Resources & Conservation. Other categories in which Penn College appears are Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies (18); Agriculture, Agricultural Operations & Related Sciences (46); and All Disciplines Non-Minority (79).
Nearly 54 percent of students at Penn College a special mission affiliate of Penn State, committed to applied technology education are enrolled in associate-degree or certificate programs. Penn College expanded its offerings to include four-year, Bachelor of Science degrees in 1991.
President Davie Jane Gilmour said: "It is rewarding for us to be recognized as among the national leaders in these important programs. Two-year degrees and certificates are a foundation upon which men and women develop strong careers and earn family-sustaining wages. They provide business and industry with a skilled workforce and help maintain a vital economy."
She also noted that many Penn College students and transfer students who have earned two-year degrees appreciate the opportunity to continue education in order to achieve advancement in their fields.
"Our unique bachelor-degree programs build on a foundation that begins in two-year programs," the president said. "Years three and four give students the opportunity to develop skills to help them advance into management and supervisory-level positions. They can take their career to another level."
The complete rankings can be found online . The listing is based upon the number of degrees and certificates awarded by two- and four-year colleges during the 2008-09 academic year.
More information on Penn College programs is available on the Web , by e-mailing or by calling toll-free 800-367-9222.