Kutztown University of Pennsylvania - Overview
This Public University in Southeastern PA Rates Highly with Students
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU) is a public university located in rural Kutztown, in the southeastern part of the state. It is one of 14 schools that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Founded in 1866 as a teachers' college, KU achieved university status in 1983. Today, the school is a modern, comprehensive institution with an enrollment of 10,700 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students; 71 percent are Pennsylvania residents.
In an independent survey, 93 percent of students and recent alumni rated their education at KU as excellent or good in regard to their overall college experience, the quality of instruction they received, and the quality of the faculty.
Comprehensive Degree Programs
Kutztown University comprises 4 colleges: liberal arts and sciences, business, education, and visual and performing arts. The most popular majors are criminal justice, communication design, psychology, elementary education, English/professional writing, biology, art education, secondary education, and special education.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Science awards bachelor's degrees in anthropology, sociology, social work, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, criminal justice, electronic media, English, environmental science, geography, geology, history, modern language, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, public administration, and professional writing.
College of Business
The College of Business awards Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting, finance, management, and marketing. Minors are offered in advertising and economics
College of Education
The College of Education offers Bachelor of Science degrees in elementary education, with concentrations in coaching education, early childhood development, English, German, instructional technology, mathematics, psychology, reading, social studies, Spanish, and urban education.
The college also offers bachelor's degrees in secondary education, with specializations in biology, chemistry, citizenship education, earth and space science, English, German, general science, mathematics, physics, social sciences, social studies, and Spanish.
Special education degrees with concentrations in mentally/physically handicapped and visually impaired are also available.
College of Visual and Performing Arts
The College of Visual and Performing Arts awards Bachelor of Arts degrees in music, speech, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education, designed for the preparation of art teachers.
Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are offered in communication design, crafts, and studio art.
Graduate Programs and Certifications
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is awarded in computer and information science and electronic media. The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is awarded in counseling psychology and English.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree is awarded in art education, elementary education, elementary school counseling (certification and licensure), instructional technology, reading specialist, secondary education (with specializations), secondary school counseling (certification and licensure), and student affairs in higher education (administration and college counseling licensure).
Also awarded are the Master of Library Science (M.L.S.), the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), and Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degrees.
Undergraduate Honors Program Provides Opportunities
Kutztown University's Distinctive Honors Program is open to qualified students in all majors and designed to provide academic and leadership opportunities. Honors students select specially designed courses, internships, and independent study. The program also awards merit-based scholarships, and students who complete the program receive an honors diploma upon graduation from KU.
Faculty Dedicated to the Classroom
While most faculty members are involved in important research and are leaders in their fields, their primary interest is the classroom. Most faculty members hold the highest degree in their field; 60 percent have doctoral degrees.
Kutztown University employs 320 full-time faculty members, with a student-faculty ratio of 20:1. Average class size is 29.
Upon enrollment at KU, each student is assigned a faculty adviser. Many faculty members are active in campus groups as members or advisers, creating close and friendly working relationships with students.
Study Abroad and Student Exchange
Kutztown University participates in an international cooperative studies program that administers 57 study abroad programs, with colleges and universities in 31 countries. Through a student exchange program, KU students may study for a year in any of 9 institutions in 7 countries.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition differs for full-time state residents and non-residents. Financial assistance is available through grants, private and institutional scholarships, military officer training programs, on-campus part-time employment, and loans. Pennsylvania residents should file the FAFSA form no later than May 1 to qualify for state grants.
In the Heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Situated on 325 beautiful, rural acres in a Pennsylvania Dutch community, the campus is an easy walk from the borough of Kutztown, where students can find ample stores, shops, and other recreation and entertainment opportunities.
The campus is 20 miles from the cities of Reading and Allentown, 90 miles from Philadelphia, and 100 miles from New York City. Lehigh Valley International Airport is just 25 minutes from campus.