Sponsored School(s)
In Pennsylvania, game wardens work for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and are known as wildlife conservation officers. The state is known for its forests along with nearly 690,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs, which provide a paradise for people who enjoy nature.
Sportsmen seek recreation in these natural habitats, and Pennsylvania’s wildlife conservation officers enforce the state’s laws to ensure that hunters and anglers are not taking animals illegally. Poaching is a persistent problem in the state as in much of the country.
Wildlife conservation officers in Pennsylvania have a plethora of roles in addition to law enforcement. They educate the public about safe hunting and fishing along with encouraging an appreciation of the state’s habitats and the need to conserve them. In addition, these officers collect data and track the migration of birds and animals.
These game wardens have challenging jobs as they balance their law enforcement duties with environmental advocacy. Wildlife conservation officer positions are in high demand and appeal to residents who have a passion for conservation and justice.
With a limited number of jobs available at any time, the competition for them is intense. Applicants who are knowledgeable about the requirements for these jobs and the hiring process will have an advantage during the selection process.
Pennsylvania Game Warden Eligibility Requirements
The ideal candidate for a wildlife conservation officer job in Pennsylvania is one that both enjoys the forest wilderness and has expertise in law enforcement. In addition to their game warden duties, these officers may support other state, local and federal law enforcement departments as needed.
This combination of duties calls for highly skilled applicants who blend knowledge of law enforcement practices with expertise in conservation management. Each applicant must be prepared to effectively demonstrate his or her suite of skills to be considered for a position as a Pennsylvania wildlife conservation officer.
Basic Qualifications for Jobs with the Pennsylvania Game Commission
Additional information on the requirements to become a wildlife conservation officer can be found on the website of the Pennsylvania Game Commission along with job postings.
Age: 18 years of age or older before entering the academy
Citizenship: Proof of U.S. citizenship or of permanent resident alien status for those who are eligible and have applied for citizenship. Must be a resident of the state at the time of appointment. Pennsylvania residency is also required
License: A valid Pennsylvania-issued driver’s license is required. Individuals must maintain an acceptable driving record.
Military Service: Applicants who are former members of the United States military require ‘Under Honorable Conditions’ discharge documentation.
Work Eligibility: New employees must present original documents that establish identity and eligibility for U.S. employment opportunities as per federal law – applicants must be eligible to accept employment before the process continues
Background and Legal History: Applicants must submit to a background check in order to continue the application process. Disqualifying elements include:
- Convicted of a felony in Pennsylvania or any other state;
- Convicted of any offense in any state that would have been a felony if committed in Pennsylvania;
- Determined to be a mentally disordered sex offender
- Addicted or in danger of becoming addicted to drugs
- Convicted and committed to a state institution
- Convicted of any offense which precludes you from carrying a firearm under State or federal law
Academic Credentials: High school diploma or GED is required; a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, environmental sciences, conservation or law enforcement is advantageous.
Additional Requirements:
- Hunting license for at least two years prior to application
- Successful completion of Pennsylvania’s civil service exam
Ross Loffler School of Conservation
Game Commission Training School – Game warden training in Pennsylvania takes place at the Ross Loffler School of Conservation in Harrisburg. Instruction covers:
- Unarmed self-defense and firearms training
- Law enforcement principles and methods
- Wildlife management
- Agency administration procedures
- Land management
- Wildlife regulations and laws
- Conservation education
- Public relations
Interview: Candidates will have a face-to-face panel interview during the later stages of the application process
Medical Condition: The applicant must be examined by a licensed physician to ensure that they are in good health.
Hearing: The applicant must have hearing adequate to perform all the essential duties and functions of a Warden, including long distance, directional and voice conversation hearing.
Vision: Vision corrected to 20/20 in each eye. Normal color vision with no other conditions is required for the role. Additional information may be required from those candidates who have undergone vision correction surgery.
Physical Readiness: The applicant must be in sound physical condition and able to swim. Applicants must successfully complete each component of the physical readiness testing. Pennsylvania’s physical fitness and agility test requires these minimum abilities:
- 30 sit-ups in one minute
- 30 push-ups in one minute
- Agility run in 19 seconds
- Trunk flex or sit-and-reach to 16 inches
- 5-inch vertical jump
Psychological Condition: The applicant must be in suitable psychological and emotional health to complete training and be eligible for hire
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Desired Qualifications
- Required to carry and use various firearms and weaponry
- Innovative, intuitive and engaging while on patrol by a variety of means.
- Demonstrate an aptitude for collecting and preserving evidence, writing reports, and testifying in court.
- Ability to promote and coordinate hunter education programs
- Ability to collect and report information on the conditions of fish and wildlife and their habitat
- Willingness to enthusiastically and professionally represent the agency at Pennsylvania schools and meetings of special interest groups
- Effectively operate and negotiate a vehicle on rough terrain
- Professional development or college courses in natural resource management, criminology, psychology, business management or sciences
- Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and email software in a networked environment
- Ability to use proprietary software
- Mechanical aptitude and logical thinking.
- Ability to use professional level English grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition; reading and comprehension
- Ability to use foundational math skills including advanced arithmetic, payroll/accounts receivable, and estimation
- Additional languages are an asset
Salaries for Wildlife Conservation Officers
The salaries for Pennsylvania’s wildlife conservation officers increase in regular intervals in-line with a salary schedule based on the number of years they have invested with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The Pennsylvania Office of Administration – Human Resources provides the salary grades for these officers as published in 2017:
- 0-8 years: $40,560 – $47,361
- 8-9 years – $48,363
- 9-10 years – $49,489
- 10-11 years – $50,574
- 11-12 years – $51,764
- 12-13 years – $52,849
- 13-14 years – $54,059
- 15-16 years – $56,521
- 16-17 years – $57,752
- 17-18 years – $59,066
- 18-19 years – $60,339
- 19-20 years – $61,632
- 20-21 years – $63,114
- 21+ years – $64,491
Pennsylvania Game Comission
2001 Elmerton Ave
Harrisburg Pennsylvania 17110-9797
Phone: (717) 787-4250
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=925454&mode=2
School Programs
| Program | Programs Offered |
|---|---|
Albright College 1621 N. 13th St., Reading, PA 19612-5234 Phone: (610) 921-2381 |
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Allegheny College 520 N Main St, Meadville, PA 16335-3902 Phone: (814) 332-3100 |
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Alvernia University 400 Saint Bernardine St, Reading, PA 19607-1799 Phone: (610) 796-8200 |
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Arcadia University 450 S Easton Rd, Glenside, PA 19038-3295 Phone: (215) 572-2900 |
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Baptist Bible College & Seminary of Pennsylvania 538 Venard Rd, Clarks Summit, PA 18411-1250 Phone: (570) 586-2400 |
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Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 400 E Second St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Phone: (570) 389-4000 |
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Bryn Athyn College of the New Church 801 Tomlinson Rd, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009-0717 Phone: (267) 502-6000 |
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Bryn Mawr College 101 N Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Phone: (610) 526-5000 |
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Bucknell University One Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837 Phone: (570) 577-2000 |
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Bucks County Community College 275 Swamp Rd, Newtown, PA 18940-4106 Phone: (215) 968-8000 |
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Butler County Community College 107 College Drive, Butler, PA 16002 Phone: (724) 287-8711 |
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Cabrini College 610 King of Prussia Rd, Radnor, PA 19087-3698 Phone: (610) 902-8100 |
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California University of Pennsylvania 250 University Ave, California, PA 15419-1394 Phone: (724) 938-4400 |
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Carlow University 3333 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3165 Phone: (412) 578-6000 |
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Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 Phone: (412) 268-2000 |
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Cedar Crest College 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 18104-6196 Phone: (610) 606-4666 |
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Chatham University Woodland Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 Phone: (412) 365-1100 |
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Chestnut Hill College 9601 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118-2693 Phone: (215) 248-7000 |
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Cheyney University of Pennsylvania 1837 University Circle, Cheyney, PA 19319-0200 Phone: (610) 399-2275 |
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Clarion University of Pennsylvania 840 Wood St, Clarion, PA 16214 Phone: (814) 393-2000 |
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Community College of Allegheny County 800 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233-1895 Phone: (412) 323-2323 |
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Delaware County Community College 901 S Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063-1094 Phone: (610) 359-5000 |
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Delaware Valley University 700 E Butler Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901-2697 Phone: (215) 345-1500 |
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DeSales University 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034-9568 Phone: (610) 282-1100 |
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Dickinson College College and Louther Streets, Carlisle, PA 17013-2896 Phone: (717) 243-5121 |
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Drexel University 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: (215) 895-2000 |
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Duquesne University Administration Bldg 600 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15282 Phone: (412) 396-6000 |
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East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-2999 Phone: (570) 422-3211 |
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Eastern University 1300 Eagle Rd, Saint Davids, PA 19087-3696 Phone: (610) 341-5800 |
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Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 219 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444-0001 Phone: (814) 732-2000 |
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Elizabethtown College One Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298 Phone: (717) 361-1000 |
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Forbes Road Career and Technology Center 607 Beatty Rd, Monroeville, PA 15146 Phone: (412) 373-8100 |
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Franklin and Marshall College College Ave, Lancaster, PA 17604-3003 Phone: (717) 291-3911 |
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Gannon University 109 W Sixth St, Erie, PA 16541-0001 Phone: (814) 871-7000 |
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Geneva College 3200 College Ave, Beaver Falls, PA 15010-3599 Phone: (724) 846-5100 |
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Gettysburg College 300 N Washington St, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Phone: (717) 337-6300 |
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Grove City College 100 Campus Dr, Grove City, PA 16127-2104 Phone: (724) 458-2000 |
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Gwynedd Mercy University 1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0901 Phone: (215) 646-7300 |
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Harcum College 750 Montgomery Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3470 Phone: (610) 525-4100 |
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Harrisburg Area Community College-Harrisburg 1 HACC Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17110-2999 Phone: (717) 780-2300 |
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Haverford College 370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041-1392 Phone: (610) 896-1000 |
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Holy Family University 9801 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114-2009 Phone: (215) 637-7700 |
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Immaculata University 1145 King Rd, Immaculata, PA 19345-0702 Phone: (610) 647-4400 |
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Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 1011 South Dr 201 Sutton Hall, Indiana, PA 15705-1098 Phone: (724) 357-2100 |
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Juniata College 1700 Moore St, Huntingdon, PA 16652-2196 Phone: (814) 641-3000 |
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Keystone College One College Green, La Plume, PA 18440-0200 Phone: (570) 945-8000 |
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King's College 133 N River St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0801 Phone: (570) 208-5900 |
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Kutztown University of Pennsylvania 15200 Kutztown Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530-0730 Phone: (610) 683-4000 |
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La Roche College 9000 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237-5898 Phone: (412) 367-9300 |
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La Salle University 1900 W Olney Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141-1199 Phone: (215) 951-1000 |
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Lackawanna College 501 Vine St, Scranton, PA 18509-3206 Phone: (570) 961-7810 |
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Lafayette College High St, Easton, PA 18042-1768 Phone: (610) 330-5000 |
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Lebanon Valley College 101 N College Ave, Annville, PA 17003-1400 Phone: (717) 867-6100 |
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Lehigh Carbon Community College 4525 Education Park Dr, Schnecksville, PA 18078-2598 Phone: (610) 799-2121 |
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Lehigh University 27 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015 Phone: (610) 758-3000 |
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Lock Haven University 401 North Fairview Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745-2390 Phone: (570) 484-2011 |
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Luzerne County Community College 1333 South Prospect Street, Nanticoke, PA 18634-3899 Phone: (570) 740-0200 |
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Lycoming College 700 College Place, Williamsport, PA 17701-5192 Phone: (570) 321-4000 |
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Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Academy Street, Mansfield, PA 16933 Phone: (570) 662-4000 |
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Marywood University 2300 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18509-1598 Phone: (570) 348-6211 |
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Mercyhurst University 501 E 38th St, Erie, PA 16546 Phone: (814) 824-2000 |
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Mercyhurst University-North East Campus 16 W Division St, North East, PA 16428 Phone: (814) 725-6100 |
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Messiah College One College Ave, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Phone: (717) 766-2511 |
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Millersville University of Pennsylvania 1 South George Street, Lyle Hall, Millersville, PA 17551-0302 Phone: (717) 872-3011 |
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Misericordia University 301 Lake St, Dallas, PA 18612-1098 Phone: (570) 674-6400 |
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Moravian College 1200 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018-6650 Phone: (610) 861-1360 |
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Mount Aloysius College 7373 Admiral Peary Hwy, Cresson, PA 16630-1999 Phone: (814) 886-4131 |
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Muhlenberg College 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104 Phone: (484) 664-3100 |
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Neumann University One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014-1298 Phone: (610) 459-0905 |
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Northampton County Area Community College 3835 Green Pond Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18020-7599 Phone: (610) 861-5300 |
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Peirce College 1420 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102-4699 Phone: (888) 467-3472 |
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Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904 Phone: (814) 262-6400 |
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Pennsylvania State University-College of Medicine 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 Phone: (717) 531-8563 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802 Phone: (814) 865-4700 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington 1600 Woodland Road, Abington, PA 19001 Phone: (215) 881-7600 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601 Phone: (814) 949-5000 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA 15061 Phone: (724) 773-3800 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Tulpehocken Road, Reading, PA 19610 Phone: (610) 396-6000 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois 1 College Place, DuBois, PA 15801 Phone: (800) 346-7627 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College 4701 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563 Phone: (814) 898-6000 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly 2201 University Drive, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456 Phone: (724) 430-4100 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg 777 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057 Phone: (717) 948-6250 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington 3550 Seventh Street Road, New Kensington, PA 15068 Phone: (724) 334-5466 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill 200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 Phone: (570) 385-6000 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango 147 Shenango Avenue, Sharon, PA 16146 Phone: (724) 983-2803 |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre Old Route 115, Lehman, PA 18627 Phone: (570) 675-2171 |
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Pennsylvania State University-World Campus 128 Outreach Building, University Park, PA 16802 Phone: (814) 865-5403 |
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Philadelphia University 4201 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497 Phone: (215) 951-2700 |
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Point Park University 201 Wood St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984 Phone: (412) 391-4100 |
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Robert Morris University 6001 University Boulevard, Moon Township, PA 15108-1189 Phone: (800) 762-0097 |
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Rosemont College 1400 Montgomery Ave, Rosemont, PA 19010-1699 Phone: (610) 527-0200 |
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Saint Francis University 117 Evergreen Dr, Loretto, PA 15940 Phone: (814) 472-3000 |
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Saint Joseph's University 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395 Phone: (610) 660-1000 |
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Saint Vincent College 300 Fraser Purchase Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 Phone: (724) 539-9761 |
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Seton Hill University 1 Seton Hill Dr, Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: (724) 834-2200 |
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Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299 Phone: (717) 477-7447 |
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA 16057-1383 Phone: (724) 738-9000 |
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Somerset County Technology Center 281 Technology Dr, Somerset, PA 15501 Phone: (814) 443-3651 x6156 |
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Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center 1 Schoolhouse Rd, Dimock, PA 18816-0100 Phone: (570) 278-9229 |
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Susquehanna University 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA 17870-1025 Phone: (570) 374-0101 |
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Swarthmore College 500 College Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081 Phone: (610) 328-8000 |
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Temple University 1801 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096 Phone: (215) 204-7000 |
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The Lincoln University 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352-0999 Phone: (484) 365-8000 |
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Thiel College 75 College Ave, Greenville, PA 16125-2181 Phone: (724) 589-2000 |
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University of Pennsylvania 34th & Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6303 Phone: (215) 898-5000 |
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University of Pittsburgh-Bradford 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, PA 16701 Phone: (814) 362-7500 |
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University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg 150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601-5860 Phone: (724) 837-7040 |
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University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 Phone: (814) 269-7000 |
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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Phone: (412) 624-4141 |
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University of Scranton 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510-4629 Phone: (570) 941-7400 |
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University of the Sciences 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 Phone: (215) 596-8800 |
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Ursinus College 601 E. Main St, Collegeville, PA 19426-1000 Phone: (610) 409-3000 |
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Valley Forge Military College 1001 Eagle Rd, Wayne, PA 19087-3695 Phone: (610) 989-1200 |
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Villanova University 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085-1699 Phone: (610) 519-4500 |
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Washington & Jefferson College 60 S Lincoln St, Washington, PA 15301 Phone: (724) 503-1001 |
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Waynesburg University 51 W College St, Waynesburg, PA 15370-1257 Phone: (724) 627-8191 |
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania University Avenue and High Street, West Chester, PA 19383 Phone: (610) 436-1000 |
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Westminster College 319 South Market Street, New Wilmington, PA 16172 Phone: (724) 946-8761 |
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Westmoreland County Community College 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697-1895 Phone: (724) 925-4000 |
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Widener University-Main Campus One University Place, Chester, PA 19013-5792 Phone: (610) 499-4000 |
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Wilkes University 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 Phone: (570) 408-5000 |
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Wilson College 1015 Philadelphia Ave, Chambersburg, PA 17201-1285 Phone: (717) 264-4141 |
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York College Pennsylvania 441 Country Club Rd, York, PA 17403-3651 Phone: (717) 846-7788 |
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