University of Pennsylvania Graduate 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 by Benjamin Franklin, Penn has a rich history and a strong commitment to academic excellence and research. The university is home to 4 undergraduate schools and 12 graduate and professional schools, offering a wide array of programs for students seeking advanced degrees.

A Historical Perspective

The University of Pennsylvania's origins can be traced back to 1740, when a group of Philadelphians united to establish a prominent preaching hall for George Whitefield, a traveling Anglican evangelist. This marked the beginning of what would become a leading institution of higher education.

In 1765, Penn established the first medical school in America, solidifying its position as an institution that offered both "undergraduate" and professional education. This pioneering spirit has continued throughout the university's history, with Penn consistently pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.

Over the years, the university has undergone several transformations. In 1779, the revolutionary State Legislature established a university, and in 1785, the legislature changed the name to the University of the State of Pennsylvania. After being located in downtown Philadelphia for more than a century, the campus was moved across the Schuylkill River to West Philadelphia in 1872, where it has remained ever since.

Graduate and Professional Schools

Penn's graduate and professional programs are housed in 12 schools, each with its own distinct focus and offerings:

Annenberg School for Communication
Biomedical Graduate Studies
Graduate School of Education
Fels Institute of Government
School of Arts and Sciences
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Law School
School of Nursing
Perelman School of Medicine
School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2)
School of Veterinary Medicine
Wharton School

These schools offer a diverse range of programs, including master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and professional certifications. Graduate programs at Penn emphasize the integration of knowledge across boundaries and disciplines.

Annenberg School for Communication

The Annenberg School for Communication offers a one-year master’s program in Communication and Media Industries (MCMI). The goal with the MCMI program is to cultivate leaders who are not only prepared to navigate today’s dynamic media industries, but who also think expansively, ethically, and globally about their future.

Biomedical Graduate Studies

Biomedical Graduate Studies offers programs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Genomics and Computational Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology.

Graduate School of Education

Penn GSE's mission is to improve education and change the world. They offer 16 doctoral programs, empowering students to achieve the highest level of academic excellence.

Wharton School

The Wharton School introduced a “4+1” Master of Science in Quantitative Finance program that enables undergraduate students to earn a postgraduate degree by completing coursework during their senior year and one additional year at Wharton.

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Dual-Degree Programs

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. 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.

Admissions

Each graduate program has a separate admissions process. Applicants apply directly to the program of interest. All questions about the admissions process should be directed to the program of interest. Some PhD programs at Penn require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Each graduate program has a different GRE requirement and a different institution code. Please refer to your program of interest for more information. Applicants who are non-native English speakers may also be required to report scores from one of the accepted language tests.

Cost and Financial Aid

Penn’s graduate tuition and other fees vary by school. Consult the individual schools and programs for details. Penn awards some loans based on financial need. These awarded loans are only made by Penn as part of a student’s financial aid package. The loans are repayable by the student after completion of his/her education or withdrawal from school and are not subsidized. Many Students in Ph.D. programs receive multi-year financial packages to cover tuition, fees, health insurance and a living allowance or stipend. The terms of the award may vary according to field of study. Contact individual programs for details. Most programs require that PhD students teach or conduct research for two or more years during their course of study, as part of their academic preparation. Professional Students should contact your school for information on its policies and application procedures for grants and scholarship funding. Penn’s Student Financial Services provides up-to-date information on the cost of attendance, as well as loans and other resources for support.

Graduate Student Life

A stimulating intellectual and social community of students and scholars from across Penn’s 12 schools form a vibrant graduate network. The campus offers extensive resources for academic support and personal enrichment. Penn’s Graduate Student Center provides a home base for graduate and professional students. Located in the heart of campus on Locust Walk, the Center hosts a variety of activities including recreational outings, dissertation support workshops, game nights, and more. As the University-wide graduate student government, GAPSA - the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly - advocates for students, funds initiatives, and plans events. A wide variety of other graduate and professional student organizations flourish at Penn, including school governments, as well as professional, social, athletic, and cultural groups.

Campus and Location

The University of Pennsylvania's main campus occupies about 299 acres (121 ha) in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia and includes the University of Pennsylvania Campus Historic District. Philadelphia neighborhoods each have a distinctive personality. The University of Pennsylvania is located in the University City section of Philadelphia. While most students live in University City and the adjacent Center City neighborhoods, there are many other areas to explore.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Research and Recognition

Penn is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, and its graduate programs are highly regarded across various disciplines. The university is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, attracting students and faculty from around the globe. 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. In 1972, physicist John Robert Schrieffer, then a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, shared the Nobel Prize in Physics for work on the theory of superconductivity (BCS theory). In 2000, chemist Alan G. MacDiarmid, a professor at Penn, shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery and development of conductive polymers.

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