Harrisburg University

📍Harrisburg, PA

📍Philadelphia, PA

Harrisburg University, situated near the East Coast, has become a favored choice for Day 1 CPT programs among students working and residing in New York City, Jersey City, and the surrounding areas. The university offers several majors that provide a Day 1 CPT option, with the Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM) and Master of Science in Analytics being the most sought-after programs.

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Day 1 CPT University Overview

About and Accreditation

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in 2009, became the first non-profit institution dedicated to science and technology in over a century since its foundation on December 12, 2001. Renowned for its excellence in STEM education, it has been ranked as the #1 STEM university in the US by CorporateLiveWire for four consecutive years.

The university offers hybrid-format graduate programs that include monthly on-campus weekend sessions, enabling students to translate academic learning into professional expertise. Compliant with all USCIS and SEVIS regulations, Harrisburg boasts a 92% job placement rate within six months of graduation.

The institution, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, occupies a 380,000-square-foot campus featuring a landmark 16-story educational building. With plans to expand, including a nearly $100 million medical center set to open in 2023, Harrisburg University educates around 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students, over 70% of whom are international students from 110 countries, supported by more than 200 full-time faculty members.

Day 1 CPT at Harrisburg University

Harrisburg University specializes in offering Day 1 CPT programs, with three semesters available each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. To participate in these Day 1 CPT programs, international students must enroll in at least two courses per semester, which equates to six credits, including one online course and one hybrid course. The university mandates a strict attendance policy, requiring students to be present for on-site sessions one Saturday every month from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Adherence to this 100% attendance rule is crucial for students aiming to qualify for the Day 1 CPT application, underlining Harrisburg University's commitment to providing comprehensive and immersive Day 1 CPT programs.

Day 1 CPT Programs

Harrisburg University graduate programs that offer full-time CPT opportunities:

MS Analytics
MS Biotechnology
MS Computer Information Sciences
MS Consumer Behavior and Decision Science
MS Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management
MS Healthcare Informatics
MS Human Centered Interaction Design

CPT Policy Details

Students who have not received a master's degree before being admitted to HU are recommended to work full-time for no more than 364 days (in a given calendar year) under CPT authorization. This would enable them to apply for OPT (12 months) and OPT Extension (24 months) after graduation; otherwise, such students cannot apply for OPT Extension from their master's program.

The CPT internship must be related to the student's area of study: One can work full-time (21-40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours or fewer per week).

Course Schedule

At Harrisburg University, CPT is a requirement for master's and doctoral programs. If you are a master's programs student, you have to complete at least 2 semesters of CPT to be eligible for graduation. Meanwhile, you should complete two courses per semester, one online and one onsite. The online course requires students to

participate in group work or discussion;
complete assignments;
pass exams.

The onsite course is held at the main campus in Harrisburg on

the first day of the semester;
one day in the middle of the semester;
the last day of the semester;
It usually takes an average of 6-8 hours per week to complete all of the coursework.

CPT Employer

Once the employer completes the CPT verification form and sends the offer letter to the International Student Office, the school will send students the I-20 with employer information after the offer letter has been approved.

If a student registers for courses for the next semester in advance, the CPT authorization will be extended to the beginning of the next semester. It will cover the gap between two semesters and allow the students to work full-time legally.

CPT Policy for F-1 Transfer Students

F-1 visa students are required to start CPT internship on the first day of the first semester (Day-1 CPT full-time job).

CPT Policy for Change of Status Students

If you have submitted I-539 for status change or students with B-1/B-2 visa or F-2 visa to be transferred to F-1 visa, you are required to complete the first semester with a GPA of 3.0 or above to apply for CPT.

Day 1 CPT Program

M.S. CIS

The 36-semester hour Master of Science degree in Computer Information Sciences provides a challenging opportunity to pursue a versatile course of study reflecting the student’s desire, background, and future responsibilities.

Program Core Courses - 15 Credits CISC 520 - Data Engineering and Mining (3 semester hours)
CISC 525 - Big Data Architectures (3 semester hours)
CISC 530 - Computing Systems Architecture (3 semester hours)
CISC 603 - Theory of Computation (3 semester hours)
CISC 610 - Data Structures and Algorithms (3 semester hours)

Experiential courses - 6 Credits GRAD 695 - Research Methodology and Writing (3 semester hours)
CISC 699 - Applied Project in Computer Information Sciences (3 semester hours) or GRAD 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 semester hours)

Requirement for Concentration

In order to graduate with a concentration, students must take five (5) courses, totaling 15 credit hours in the area of their chosen concentration

Scientific Computing (15 semester hours)
Software Engineering and Software Testing (15 semester hours)
Cyber Security (15 semester hours)

For a complete description of the above requirements, please go to the Course Catalog.

Day 1 CPT Program

M.S. Analytics

This 36-semester hour program prepares the student by providing depth in analytics during the first year and focused functional study during the second year that can be applied to any discipline or any interdisciplinary area.

Program Core Courses - 15 Credits ANLY 500 - Analytics I: Principles and Applications (3 semester hours)
ANLY 502 - Analytical Methods I (3 semester hours)
ANLY 510 - Analytics II: Principles and Applications (3 semester hours)
ANLY 506 - Exploratory Data Analysis (3 semester hours) or ANLY 512 - Data Visualization (3 semester hours)
ANLY 545 - Analytical Methods II (3 semester hours) or ANLY 560 - Functional Programming Methods for Analytics (3 semester hours)

Requirement for Concentration

In order to graduate with a concentration, students must take five (5) courses, totaling 15 credit hours in the area of their chosen concentration

Individualized (15 semester hours)
Healthcare Informatics (15 semester hours)
Pharmaceutical Sciences (15 semester hours)

For a complete description of the above requirements, please go to the Course Catalog.

Day 1 CPT Program

M.S. PM

This 36-credit Master's program in Project Management combines academic and practical training to prepare students for roles like project coordinator and Agile manager. Focused on timely, on-budget product delivery, the PMI-backed program offers hands-on project experience.

Program Courses

MGMT 520 – PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION (3 credits)

MGMT 560 – ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

PMGT 510 – PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT (3 credits)

PMGT 515 – BUSINESS AND REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS FUNDAMENTALS (3 credits)

PMGT 530 – RISK, PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS (3 credits)

PMGT 540 – PLANNING AND EXECUTING PROJECTS (3 credits)

PMGT 550 – QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (3 credits)

PMGT 563 – EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGERS (3 credits)

PMGT 570 – AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH SCRUM METHODOLOGY (3 credits)

PMGT 572 – AGILE SCRUM APPLIED PROJECTS (3 credits)

PMGT 573 – SCALING AGILE FOR THE ENTERPRISE (3 credits)

PMGT 574 – LEAN THINKING (3 credits)

PMGT 576 – AGILE LEAN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

PMGT 580 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES (3 credits)

PMGT 699 – APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT II (3 credits)

Day 1 CPT Program

M.S. ISEM

The 36-semester hour graduate program in Information Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM) is designed to educate the leaders who can plan, architect, integrate, and manage the systems needed to support modern digital enterprises.

Program Courses

Core Courses - 15 Credits

ISEM 500 - Strategic Planning for Digital Transformation (3 semester hours)

ISEM 540 - Enterprise Architecture and Integration (3 semester hours)

MGMT 510 - Business Strategy and Management Principles (3 semester hours)

Choose One

CISC 510 - Object-Oriented Software (3 semester hours)

ENTP 500 - Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3 semester hours)

ISEM 502 - User-Centered Design (3 semester hours)

ISEM 503 - Artificial Intelligence Principles and Applications (3 semester hours)

ISEM 530 - Systems Engineering Principles (3 semester hours)

ISEM 565 - Business Intelligence and Decision Support Systems (3 semester hours)

ISEM 574 - Bitcoin Blockchain (3 semester hours)

LTMS 531 - Designing Serious Games and Simulations (3 semester hours)

QISC 530 - Foundations of Quantum Information Science (3 semester hours)

***Choose One

ANLY 500 - Analytics I: Principles and Applications (3 semester hours)

ENTP 510 - Entrepreneurship: From Traction to Scale (3 semester hours)

ISEM 528 - Industry Analysis and Technology Patterns (3 semester hours)

MGMT 511 - Digital and Global Enterprises (3 semester hours)

PMGT 510 - Principles of Project Management (3 semester hours)

QISC 550 - Programming Quantum Computers (3 semester hours)

PMGT 550 – QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (3 credits)

PMGT 563 – EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGERS (3 credits)

PMGT 570 – AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT WITH SCRUM METHODOLOGY (3 credits)

PMGT 572 – AGILE SCRUM APPLIED PROJECTS (3 credits)

PMGT 573 – SCALING AGILE FOR THE ENTERPRISE (3 credits)

PMGT 574 – LEAN THINKING (3 credits)

PMGT 576 – AGILE LEAN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

PMGT 580 – PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES (3 credits)

PMGT 699 – APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT II (3 credits)

Experiential Courses - 6 Credits

GRAD 695 - Research Methodology and Writing (3 semester hours)

ISEM 699 - Applied Project in Information Systems Engineering and Management (3 semester hours) or GRAD 699 - Graduate Thesis (3 semester hours)

Others

In order to graduate with a concentration, students must take five (5) courses, totaling 15 credit hours in the area of their chosen concentration:

Individualized (15 semester hours)
Next Generation Technologies (15 semester hours)
Quantum Information Sciences (15 semester hours)
Tech-partnership (15 semester hours)

Day 1 CPT Program

Other Day 1 CPT Programs

Harrisburg University stands out among Day 1 CPT universities with its wide range of major options. Students pursuing their second or third master's degree must ensure their program differs from their previous degrees to avoid Requests for Evidence (RFE). Harrisburg University offers a diverse selection of majors, providing ample choices for students.

MS Biotechnology

The 36-semester hour Master of Science degree in Biotechnology provides a comprehensive work-oriented curriculum that explores the industrial, medical, and regulatory underpinnings of the biotechnology field. The program offers a sound foundation in these multiple areas of biotechnology while integrating the applied and innovative aspects of science. With a focus on industry-relevant projects, case studies, and real-world scenarios, the program graduates are prepared with the skills and technical expertise to confidently cater to the needs of an ever-growing biotechnology sector.

MS Consumer Behavior and Decision Sciences This 36-semester hour Master of Science degree in Consumer Behavior and Decision Sciences is an applied behavioral research degree driven by industry and public sector demand for actionable insights into human behavior. The degree prepares students to pursue marketable careers in applied behavioral research (e.g., Consumer Insights Manager, Market Research Analyst, Marketing Manager, Sensory Scientist, and Behavioral Scientist). Graduates will be able to assess consumer (broadly defined) preferences (insights) using a variety of traditional and emergent research methodologies and turn those insights into actionable strategies using quantitative/qualitative decision-making.

MS Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management The 36-semester hour Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management focuses on the architecture and engineering of computer network security. The student acquires the skills to secure network information, design computer security architecture, and data security engineering as well as obtain leadership skills, understanding of ethics, and compliance knowledge.

MS Healthcare Informatics The 36-semester hour graduate program in Healthcare Informatics provides clinicians with knowledge and experience that allows them to function as valued team members selecting, installing, adopting, employing, evaluating, and optimizing healthcare-related IT systems, such as Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), in today's healthcare delivery systems. The clinical objectives of healthcare informatics are to enhance individual and population health outcomes, improve patient care, and strengthen the clinician-patient relationship. This program emphasizes translational, communication, and interpersonal skills during the selection, implementation, and optimization of healthcare IT systems while providing a solid base in informatics practice, analytics tools, and the management, capture, analysis, and governance of healthcare data. These skills are necessary for effective change management of healthcare providers, for knowledge management in the institution, and for effective communication of key information and insights to both colleagues and senior decision-makers.

MS Human-Centered Interaction Design The 36-semester hour graduate program in Human-Centered Interaction Design is designed to promote the human-centered collaborative mindsets that are required for careers in the research, specifications, and development of technologically-driven experiences. The program is interdisciplinary, bringing together the application of knowledge drawn from the social and behavioral sciences, information science, software engineering, and project management. The student is taught a balance of theories, methods, skills, and processes.

MS Learning Technologies & Media Systems The Learning Technologies and Media Systems is a 36-semester hour program that provides the student with leading-edge approaches and skills to aid in the application of existing and emerging learning technologies in a variety of learning environments. The innovative applied learning technologies program provides the student with immediate career benefits while preparing for anticipated industry needs. The LTMS program supports learning outcome advancements in business and education by cultivating learning leaders with a foundation in instructional design, learning theory, technology application, an understanding of critical issues, and an advanced vision for technology-supported learning.

MS Pharmaceutical Sciences This 36-semester hour Master of Science degree program in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Harrisburg University consists of advanced training in characterizing drug action and disposition. Courses offered in this program will give the student a broad understanding of diverse topics in pharmaceutical science that range from established paradigms to emerging technology and applications. Scientific communication and professional development are stressed in the curriculum and reinforced through coursework and independent study. Graduates may seek a career in research, or industry, or continue to a doctoral program in health sciences or healthcare. Classes that focus on genomics and biopharmaceutics will give the students perspectives on aspects of personalized medicine. This diverse curriculum will prepare graduates for careers in the expanding personalized medicine and biotechnology sectors, as well as in more traditional roles in the pharmaceutical industry. The elective options allow the student to individualize their own coursework based on their career goals.

Academic Calendar 2024 -2025

Enrollment Windows

HU has adopted the trimester system, meaning there are 3 semesters each year.

Terms	Semester Start Date	Application Deadline	CPT Start Date
Spring2	3/8/2025	2/22/2025	3/8/2025
Summer1	5/3/2025	4/19/2025	5/3/2025
Summer2	7/12/2025	6/28/2025	7/12/2025

Initial F1 Students: 3 months before the first day of the term.

If you missed the deadline, please get in touch with us. We are the official recruitment partner of Harrisburg University; we can help you accelerate your application.

Tuition and Scholarship

Tuition for master programs at HU is fixed per semester.

Total Semester Estimate: $5,730

Total Annual Estimate: $17,190 (3 semesters)

Total Program Estimate: $34,380 (6 semesters)

Semester tuition is due in full one week before the start of each semester.

NON-refundable Deposit: After you receive the acceptance letter, you have to pay a $1,000 NON-refundable deposit which will be applied to your first-semester tuition.
Late Fee: There will be a $250 late fee if you don’t pay off your tuition for the current semester before the first day of class.
I-20 Fee: The school will send out the I-20 approximately two weeks after the $200 fee has been received.

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