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Why Choose the Keystone Certificate?

The most up-to-date research on employer demands tells us two things. First, employers are clamoring for students who are adept in the core skills and knowledge central to the humanities, such as interpersonal, written, and oral communication, collaboration, leadership, ethics, knowledge about diversity/equity/inclusion and globalization, and critical thinking, to name only a few. Second, this research tells us that knowledge in the humanities has never been more important for our global, high-tech economy.   

​Students majoring in Biobehavioral Health, Cybersecurity Analytics & Operations, or Information Technology should know that there has been a 62% increase in STEM graduates from 2010-2020 (U.S. Department of Education) while the projected job growth in STEM areas is only projected to increase 8.8% from 2017-2029 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). That means that the job market for STEM graduates is going to be very competitive. The Keystone Certificate will give you an edge over STEM graduates who cannot boast an understanding of how science and technology impact society, as well as additional training in the core skills and knowledge employers want most from students. The Keystone Certificate can give you a significant edge on the job market and make you a stronger and more critical thinker. 

​Students majoring in Business or Project & Supply Chain Management are also facing a very competitive job market, as business is consistently the most popular major in the United States, accounting for almost 20% of all college graduates in 2016-2017! One way to stand out from all the others is to talk to prospective employers about how the Keystone Certificate helped you not only better understand the relationship between society and business, but also helped you learn the core skills and knowledge they most desire. 

​Students in all majors are welcome to take courses in the Keystone Certificate because regardless of your major, what you learn in humanities courses can be linked to your major and career goals in addition to...yep, you guessed it...giving you more practice in those core skills and knowledge most in-demand.

​​Countless titans of technology and captains of industry regularly talk about the importance of the core skills and knowledge learned in the humanities. In addition, they regularly tout the humanities for their ability to train minds to think critically, to encourage effective communication, and to promote excellence in problem solving, as well as training minds to be flexible, agile, able to learn quickly, and comfortable with ambiguity. 

​The Keystone Certificate can help you expand your thinking about your major and career and help you stand out among over one million students who graduate from college every year. And you can get the certificate without adding significant time to your degree plan because all of the courses fulfill general education requirements! 

​So, what are you waiting for? Join us now! We'd love to have you! 

For further information please contact:
Dr. Margaret Christian 
[email protected].

The Keystone Certificate for Integrative Humanities

  • Certificate Requirements
  • Why Choose the Keystone Certificate?
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Penn State Lehigh Valley

Part of the historically rich and economically vibrant Lehigh Valley for more than 100 years, Penn State Lehigh Valley allows students to pursue a globally known degree in a small, close-knit campus setting. Recently enhanced by a multi-million-dollar expansion project, PSU-LV boasts first-rate facilities and faculty, diverse extracurricular programming, and access to 275 Penn State degrees, 10 of which can be completed entirely at the campus.  
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