University of Pennsylvania Degree Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, Penn has a rich history and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary learning and research. This article provides a detailed overview of the degree programs offered at the University of Pennsylvania, encompassing undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.
A Legacy of Innovation and Academic Excellence
Benjamin Franklin founded the University of Pennsylvania, one of the United States’ founding fathers, who was eager to create a school to educate future generations. Franklin advocated a concept of higher education that focused not merely on the education of the clergy, but on teaching knowledge of arts and humanities, as well as the practical skills needed to make a living and to do public good. His maxim of “well done is better than well said” lives on today through its commitment to inclusive policies and innovation. The university's commitment to innovation and inclusive policies is reflected in its diverse student body and its wide array of academic programs. As of fall 2017, there were 21,599 students studying at Penn, split equally between undergraduate and graduate students. Penn has a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and research, offering double degree programs, unique majors and academic flexibility.
Undergraduate Programs
Penn’s undergraduate students have the opportunity to pursue 100 majors across four schools. They also often engage across disciplines, forging new paths in research and scholarship. Penn's undergraduate programs are spread across four schools:
The College of Arts and Sciences: This is the undergraduate division of the School of Arts and Sciences. It offers a wide range of majors in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
The School of Engineering and Applied Science: This school offers undergraduate programs in various engineering disciplines, as well as computer science.
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The Wharton School: This is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, offering undergraduate programs in business and related fields.
The School of Nursing: This school offers undergraduate programs in nursing.
Dual Degree Programs
Supported by dedicated faculty advisers, students may pursue more than one Penn degree, still graduate in four years, and enjoy an active life beyond the classroom. Penn offers unique and specialized coordinated dual-degree (CDD) programs, which selectively award candidates degrees from multiple schools at the university upon completion of graduation criteria of both schools in addition to program-specific programs and senior capstone projects. Additionally, there are accelerated and interdisciplinary programs offered by the university. Dual-degree programs that lead to the same multiple degrees without participation in the specific above programs are also available. Unlike CDD programs, "dual degree" students fulfill requirements of both programs independently without the involvement of another program. Specialized dual-degree programs include Liberal Studies and Technology as well as an Artificial Intelligence: Computer and Cognitive Science Program. Both programs award a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and a degree from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Also, the Vagelos Scholars Program in Molecular Life Sciences allows its students to either double major in the sciences or submatriculate and earn both a BA and an MS in four years. The most recent Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) was first offered for the class of 2016.
Graduate and Professional Programs
The University of Pennsylvania has 12 graduate and professional schools, offering a wide array of programs for advanced study and research. These schools are:
School of Arts and Sciences (SAS): The School of Arts and Sciences also contains the Graduate Division and the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, which is home to the Fels Institute of Government, the master's programs in Organizational Dynamics, and the Environmental Studies (MES) program.
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Wharton School: As the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School offers MBA programs, doctoral programs, and executive education programs.
Perelman School of Medicine: This is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical schools in the United States. UPHS and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania together constitute Penn Medicine, a clinical and research entity of the University of Pennsylvania.
Carey Law School: This law school offers Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and other graduate programs in law.
School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS): SEAS provides graduate programs in various engineering disciplines and computer science.
School of Nursing: The School of Nursing offers master's and doctoral programs in nursing.
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Graduate School of Education (GSE): GSE offers master's and doctoral programs in education.
School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2): Originally named the School of Social Work, SP2 was founded in 1908 and is a graduate school of the University of Pennsylvania.
Stuart Weitzman School of Design: This school offers graduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, and other design fields.
School of Dental Medicine: This school offers Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and other graduate programs in dentistry.
School of Veterinary Medicine: The School of Veterinary Medicine offers five dual-degree programs, combining the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (VMD) with a Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Environmental Studies (MES), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Public Health (MPH) or Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree.
Annenberg School for Communication: This school offers graduate programs in communication.
Key Features of Penn's Academic Environment
Several factors contribute to the unique and enriching academic environment at the University of Pennsylvania:
Interdisciplinary Focus: Penn has a strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and research. Penn offers unique and specialized coordinated dual-degree (CDD) programs. Students are encouraged to explore connections between different fields of study.
Research Opportunities: Penn is a major research university, with numerous research centers and institutes. Penn's research centers and institutes often span multiple disciplines. Research conducted at Penn has been associated with developments in computing and medicine. Penn faculty have also been recognized through major scientific awards.
Location and Campus Life: Penn’s core campus covers more than 279 acres in a contiguous area of West Philadelphia's University City. All of Penn's schools and most of its research institutes are located on this campus, with the surrounding neighborhood including restaurants and pubs, a large supermarket and cinema. Student life at Penn serves up opportunities to discover new interests and passions galore, through a wide diversity of social, political, religious, and cultural activities. Penn students participate in a wide range of student organizations, including publications, performing arts groups, and community and cultural organizations.
Selectivity and Student Life
This means competition to study at Penn is fierce, particularly at undergraduate level. The admission rate for the class of 2021 was 9.3 percent, of which 46 percent were either black, Hispanic Asian, or Native American. Unusually for an Ivy League school, women comprise over half (54 percent) of all students enrolled.
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