Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, commonly referred to as Harrisburg University (HU), is a private STEM-focused university in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with an additional location in Philadelphia. Founded in 2001 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as Harrisburg Polytechnic Institute, it offers STEM-focused degree and certificate programs.
Harrisburg University places special emphasis on education in fields related to engineering, applied science and technology and offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees and certificate programs. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The university was started as Harrisburg Polytechnic Institute to address the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania region's need for educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math careers. Before creation of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg was the largest state capital in the country without a four-year university. The institute received $12 million in state capital funding in 2003 for the construction and related services of the institute from then Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.[6] The YWCA building at 215 Market Street was the first home for the University. In the same year the university changed its name to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Harrisburg University is home to many research centers including the Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technologies, The Consumer Insights Research Lab, The Government Technology Institute, The Food Science and Technology Center, and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.