Penn State Offers New Additive Manufacturing Certificate

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) is expanding, but the existing pool of designers and engineers in most industries lack training in the use of 3D printing and the skills needed to design for AM. Penn State University hopes to help address that need for more AM education through a new graduate certificate in additive manufacturing and design (AMD) available through Penn State World Campus. 

The new 12-credit certificate (which will launch in the spring of 2019) is part of the college’s existing graduate program in AMD, and is targeted at engineers who are already working full time. The certificate can be completed in one or one-and-half years and “equips students with the knowledge and skills to work effectively across AMD disciplines and domains,” according to an announcement from Penn State.

“We are finding that experienced engineers and designers in industry already have a graduate degree and aren’t looking to complete all of the coursework for another degree, yet they are anxious to learn about additive manufacturing and how it might affect their job, their company, or their industry,” said Tim Simpson, the Paul Morrow professor of Engineering Design and Manufacturing and the director of the Additive Manufacturing and Design Graduate Program.

“The AMD graduate certificate gives them the flexibility to pick and choose the courses they want to gain the knowledge necessary to stay current with the technology and ‘up skill’ without leaving their job,” Simpson added. 

The program includes participation from multiple programs and departments at Penn State, including mechanical and nuclear engineering, materials science, engineering, mechanics, and others, and incorporates both the College of Engineering and the College Earth and Mineral Sciences.

“The AMD program as a whole has been extremely well received by both our students and industry partners,” said Karen Thole, distinguished professor and department head of mechanical and nuclear engineering. “This new certificate presents a fantastic opportunity for professional engineers to demonstrate additional value to their current and future employers while establishing a commitment to lifelong learning.”

Applicants must have a bachelor of science or four-year associate’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, materials science, or a related field. Admission will be based on academic records, GRE scores, relevant work experience, and other information. GRE scores will be waived for applicants who have five or more years of work experience or who have previously completed a master’s degree.

Interested students can apply for the spring semester until Dec. 7, 2018. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Source: Penn State University