Indiana University of Pennsylvania at Northpointe is offering an exciting opportunity to prepare students for a career in the emerging, high-tech field of electro-optics (EO) through its 2+2+2 Pennsylvania Integrated Workforce Leadership Program. Students apply to the program to earn college credit toward an EO degree while still in high school, at no cost! Students can complete various educational levels, including certificate, associate, and bachelor's degrees. Students can enter the workforce into highly skilled positions in the EO industry. Many EO companies, especially those in Armstrong County, are facing a shortage of skilled workers and must look out of state for qualified workers. This program seeks to fill that growing need!
Program Overview
The 2+2+2 Pennsylvania Integrated Workforce Leadership Program prepares students for a career in the high-tech field of electro-optics. With a seamless transition from high school into college, the program offers the versatility of multiple entrance and exit points. After completion of each educational level, students can exit the program with various skill levels, including certificates, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
Students apply to the program during high school to enter the first level of the 2+2+2 program. During their junior/senior year, students enroll in four electro-optics courses at Lenape Technical School or Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center. Upon completion of these courses and an Advanced Placement Equivalency Course with the appropriate exam score, students can earn a certificate from Lenape for the 15-plus credits which can be articulated into IUP’s associate degree program in Electro-Optics.
The second level of the 2+2+2 program involves coursework at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s state-of-the-art facility at Northpointe. Students have the option of earning an Associate in Science in Electro-Optics (A.S.E.O.) or an Associate in Applied Science in Electro-Optics (A.A.S.E.O.). After completing this high-tech training, students are prepared to move into senior technical positions in the electro-optics industry. Students may exit the program at this point to enter the electro-optics workforce or continue to the third level.
After completion of the second level and an appropriate GPA, students can further enhance their career opportunities by receiving additional training in nanotechnology at Penn State's University Park Campus.
The third level of the 2+2+2 program takes place at IUP’s Indiana campus, where students will work toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics/Electro-Optics Track. After completing the third level, students can enter the workforce into highly skilled positions in the electro-optics industry or continue on to graduate study.
The 2+2+2 Pennsylvania Integrated Workforce Leadership Program has been developed by Indiana University of Pennsylvania at Northpointe through partnerships with Lenape Vocational-Technical School and Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Freeport, and Leechburg school districts in Armstrong County, and in Westmoreland County through partnerships with Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center and the Burrell, Franklin Regional, Kiski Area, and New Kensington-Arnold school districts. The program is financially supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Electro-Optics Science Experience
Learn firsthand about the 2+2+2 Electro-Optics Program at IUP's Northpointe campus! The total experience is two-and-a-half hours and is designed to facilitate up to forty high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in math and/or science careers. Students have the opportunity to learn more about electro-optics, related careers, and educational programs. Students can also participate in hands-on activities at IUP’s state-of-the-art Electro-Optics laboratory at Northpointe. Students can learn about such concepts as Computer Interface and Open-Space Communication, the Diffraction Measurement of Human Hair, Fiber Optics, Forensics Applications, Interferometry, Lasers, and Spectrometry. To find out how your high school can participate in the Electro-Optics Science Experience, please contact the IUP at Northpointe regional campus.
Video
View a short video on the 2+2+2 program: 30-Second Video
Electro-Optics Program
To learn more information about IUP's Electro-Optics program, visit our Programs page on this website.
For more information on this program, call 724-294-3300 (or 1-800-889-0872).
