Undergraduate Research

Research helps you turn what you learn into real experience. You’ll build skills employers look for, like problem-solving, analysis, and communication. You’ll strengthen your resume with hands-on work and have the chance to present your ideas at the Research and Creativity Conference and other Penn State events.

Along the way, you can explore your interests, dig deeper into topics that matter to you, and grow more confident sharing your work. Most importantly, you’ll see how your ideas can create real impact beyond the classroom.

Twice a year, during the fall and spring semesters, Penn State Greater Allegheny hosts the Student Research and Creativity Conference. This event serves as a platform to showcase outstanding student achievements. Many students also present their work at the University-wide undergraduate exhibition held annually in the spring.

The Honors Program is for students who want to push themselves, learn more deeply, and make a real difference in and out of the classroom. As an Honors student, you’ll join a community of motivated learners who value both academic success and leadership. Admission into the Honors Program is by invitation only and happens before each school year starts.

SECURE gives students hands-on research experience in biology, chemistry, and engineering. Working in small teams with faculty guidance, students explore real-world questions, develop practical skills, and present findings at campus and regional events.

The Clinical Research Program allows students in Biobehavioral Health and other science majors to gain real-world experience in clinical research. Through a capstone course and optional internships with healthcare partners, students learn essential research practices and present their original work at professional symposiums.

What if the easiest place to practice your communication skills wasn’t a classroom, but a virtual space complete with custom questions, real-time feedback, and a safe space to build confidence? IT and Cyber student-led research is making that possible through adaptive and immersive virtual reality platforms with artificial intelligence driven simulations that support learners across disciplines.