Adult Students

Are you an Adult Student?

An adult learner is 24 years of age or older; a veteran of the armed services; or active duty service member; an individual returning to school after four years or more of employment, homemaking, etc.; or a person who assumes multiple adult roles such as parent, spouse/partner, employee, and student. Adult students may choose to attend on a part-time or full-time basis, taking credit or non-credit courses. While some adult students formally apply to the University right away, others begin classes on an informal basis and choose to go through the admissions process later in their educational experience.

As an adult leaner at Penn State Lehigh Valley, you’ll have unlimited potential. You can:

• Get professional guidance and support all along the way.
• Select from non-credit, certificate, and degree programs.
• Take advantage of a variety of scheduling options, including enrolling part-or full-time, participating in day and/or evening classes; or studying at home through correspondence or courses via the internet.
• Interact with a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Accumulate college credits that re transferable to their learning institutions.
• Earn a certificate or degree that is respected worldwide.

First-Year Admissions

Official high school transcript (and/or GED, if applicable)

• High school transcripts and GED transcripts (if applicable) are required for all applicants, with the following exception: If you are an adult learner and have completed 18 or more credits at a regionally accredited university, you may be considered for admission without a high school transcript by confirming your graduation from high school.
  If your high school is in operation and able to provide a transcript, it is to your advantage to submit one as high school course work may influence eligibility for specific programs.
• In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent from the high school (or GED testing service) directly to Penn State.

Please note: Penn State does not require SAT or ACT scores for adult applicants, provided the applicant can be considered an adult learner.

Transfer Admissions

Official high school transcript (and/or GED, if applicable)

• High school transcripts and GED transcripts (if applicable) are required for all applicants, with the following exception: If you are an adult learner and have completed 18 or more credits at a regionally accredited university, you may be considered for admission without a high school transcript by confirming your graduation from high school.
  If your high school is in operation and able to provide a transcript, it is to your advantage to submit one as high school course work may influence eligibility for specific programs.
• In order to be considered official, transcripts must be sent from the high school (or GED testing service) directly to Penn State.
• University/College Transcripts (if applicable): Penn State requires applicants that have taken any college credits after high school to submit official transcripts from all colleges where coursework was attempted. All transcripts must be sent directly from the college/university (educational institution of origin) to Penn State to be considered official. If applicable, please submit your current class schedule.

Please note: Penn State does not require SAT or ACT scores for adult applicants, provided the applicant can be considered an adult learner.

Re-enrollment

If you attended Penn State previously as a degree candidate and want to return, there is a process to follow. Learn more about Re-enrollment.

If you have questions regarding re-enrolling at Penn State Lehigh Valley, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 610-285-5060.