Penn College adds two AI minors to academic offerings

Source Domain: www.psu.edu

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — As a national leader in applied technology education, Pennsylvania College of Technology is built for a global economy driven by artificial intelligence. The addition of academic minors devoted to AI reflects that reality.

Beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, bachelor’s degree and combined bachelor’s/master’s degree students can pursue two AI minors: artificial intelligence in industry & society and artificial intelligence foundations & applications. Both minors cover core AI principles but from different perspectives. Artificial intelligence in industry & society is grounded in theoretical and societal applications of AI, while artificial intelligence foundations & applications emphasizes more technically intensive coursework that focuses on algorithms and creation of software/tools.

“Penn College students don’t just have the desire to get a job in their chosen field. They set out to make an impact and become industry leaders. With this goal in mind, they understand the need for the knowledge provided by these minors and just how much it may play a role in their future success,” said Rick Crossen, assistant professor of computer information technology.

Crossen and Alicia L. McNett, assistant professor and co-department head of computer information technology, spearheaded the effort to develop the minors.

Although the AI minors are new, dozens of the college’s well-established hands-on, STEM-related majors directly align with the AI economy. Students across campus are being prepared to build, maintain, integrate and optimize the systems that power AI, which according to PricewaterhouseCoopers could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Academic programs that fall under automation and robotics, construction and the built environment, energy, manufacturing and fabrication, information technology, and several others produce graduates who contribute to all aspects of AI. Those facets range from data…

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