The MMM degree program admissions policy assures that incoming classes are comprised of highly qualified individuals representing a diversity of backgrounds in terms of culture, prior education, undergraduate institution, work experience, and other academic and professional accomplishments.

About eighty percent of the students have been U.S. citizens and twenty percent have come from abroad, including countries such as France, India, Turkey, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela, and Taiwan.

A Continuous Link with Industry

In developing the MMM degree program, it was decided at the outset that the program should be based on a meaningful connection between the university and industrial communities. The modes of interaction are as follows:

Support and Advice

An advisory board of industry managers and executives provides guidance on relevant manufacturing concerns and practices to be included in the MMM degree program. In addition, industrial affiliates many on the advisory board, provide annual financial support for the program and participate in the internship and permanent placement programs. The board meets at Penn State twice each year to provide advice and counsel on program content and operations to ensure the program stays at the forefront of multidisciplinary manufacturing education and responds quickly to industry needs. During this meeting, MMM degree program students have an opportunity to interact with the board in small round-table discussion groups.

Field Trips

The MMM degree program arranges a number of field trips and plant visits, which are scheduled and coordinated in parallel with course work. The fall and spring semesters culminate in multiple-day field trips to facilities that have included Ford Motor, Xerox, Kodak, Ingersoll-Rand, Carpenter Technology, Eaton, Lucent, Hewlett Packard, Hershey Foods, and Toyota to name a few.

Visitors

Manufacturing managers and engineers are invited to campus to explore relevant topics with students and faculty members in the program. These visitors serve as guest speakers in the MMM degree program classes and meet informally with small groups of students. In addition to meeting with the Advisory Board, students also participate with industry leaders in focused discussion at the Advanced Manufacturing Forum each semester.

Guest Speakers

A major activity of the MMM degree program is exposing its students to industry practitioners as guest speakers in courses or in other venues. Past guest speakers have included representatives from QMS, Inc., Carpenter Technology, Inc., Lexmark International, Atotech, Intel, North Carolina State University, IBM, Symbol Technologies, Inc., Caterpillar, Inc., and Ingersoll-Rand Corporation.