Applications to the Wharton Programs for Working Professionals (WPWP) for the academic year 2008–09 must be filed according to the following schedule of deadlines:
For the Spring term beginning January 14, 2009: no later than November
21 (Extended to December 5, 2008)
For the Summer session I beginning May 26, 2009: no later than April
17
For the Summer session II beginning July 6, 2009: no later than May
22**
**For the Saturday Business Essentials Certificate Program, the summer session begins May 31, 2008 and ends August 23, 2008. All materials must be received by the Summer I deadline.
For WPWP/ELP applicants, deadlines are:
For the Spring term beginning January 14, 2009: no later than October
31
For the Fall term beginning September 9, 2009: no later thanJuly
10
International applicants should be aware that in order to meet these application deadlines, their process should begin early enough to allow sufficient time for translating, submitting, and processing international documents.
WPWP uses a rolling admissions process. As soon as all materials for an application are submitted and it is marked complete, the application is referred to the Admissions Committee for review. You will be notified by e-mail within two to three weeks of the Committee's decision.
Wharton Programs for Working Professionals (WPWP) works very hard to create a diverse group of students who can learn from each other as well as from our faculty. In order to create this unique learning environment, we make admissions decisions based on evidence of: (1) your ability to handle the academic rigor of the program, (2) the depth of your professional experience and your potential to contribute substantively in a highly interactive learning environment, and (3) your desire to be an active member of our learning community.
What professional experience should successful candidates have?
Prospective students are expected to have a minimum of three years of professional experience. Applicants are advised that co-ops and internships are not considered as professional work experience.
How much work experience do most accepted students have? Is there a particular type of work experience WPWP seeks?
The average student has worked for five or six years. The Admissions Committee looks for individuals who exhibit professional maturity. WPWP will assess each applicant's professional experience not only in terms of years, but also the depth and breadth of an individual's position, his or her contributions to the work environment, and the level of responsibility and career progression. WPWP looks for diversity in the professional backgrounds of its admitted students just as it does in all other parts of our applicants' profiles. No one industry is favored over another. Experience in a large company does not have higher value than experience in a small business or public institution.
I have less than your required three years work experience. How will this affect me?
We welcome applicants who are motivated and exhibit strong leadership and managerial potential. However, we advise applicants with fewer than three years of work experience that the limited professional skills you have likely acquired in this time may compromise your ability to interact in the classroom and limit your opportunities to apply experience to classroom discussion, projects, and peer interaction. If you still wish to apply, we encourage you to present in your essays not only the skills you have demonstrated to date, but also your future potential.
Does time spent in the military count as work experience?
The service provides many rich and varied opportunities for professional growth and development. Military candidates are evaluated based on the same criteria as other candidates, including the nature and scope of the work, the skill sets required, work progression, and general leadership and management skills developed.
In addition to having an appropriate visa, international students whose first language is not English must submit with their application proof of English language proficiency, demonstrated through one of the following:
TOEFL CBT: 240 with TSE 55 or iBT Speaking and Writing 24
TOEFL PBT: 585 with TSE 55 or iBT Speaking and Writing 24
TOEFL/iBT above 96 total with 24 in Speaking and Writing
TOEIC 850
CAE: grade B or above (or CPE: grade C or above)
IELTS: 7.0 or higher
ELP student: 800 level
Note: If your test score is more than two years old, you must retake the test. Wharton accepts only official TOEFL scores sent by the ETS.
You may request to waive the TOEFL if you have earned an undergraduate or master's degree in an English-speaking country or from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, or have completed a U.S. graduate degree program followed by at least three years of work in the U.S. Applicants may be required to provide evidence in support of the waiver with an iBT Speaking and/or an iBT Writing score of 24 or higher, or one of the above tests with the score level indicated.
Note: If your test score is more than two years old, you may be required to retake the test. Wharton accepts only official TOEFL scores sent by the ETS. Wharton reserves the right to request additional testing.
Do international transcripts need to be translated?
Yes. When submitting transcripts for application, all courses must be verified and translated into English and into North American standards before submission by an authorized translation service such as World Education Service (WES) or Education Evaluators International (EES). You will be required to provide an official paper transcript sent directly from each college or university attended to WES, EES, or other authorized third-party verification agency.
Recommendation letters should be submitted by a current or previous professional supervisor who is familiar with your work. Optimal sources of recommendation are from your direct managers who can provide insight on you as an employee. Other useful sources are clients or former employers. Letters can also be submitted by a previous faculty/instructor or someone who can speak on behalf of your professionalism and/or work ethic.
How long does it typically take for an applicant to receive an admissions decision after he/she has submitted his/her application?
As soon as all application materials are submitted and marked complete, it is referred to the Admissions Committee for its review and decisions. You will be notified within two to three weeks of the Committee's decision.
How will I be notified of the Admissions Committee decision?
Admission notification will be made by e-mail. You will be notified via the e-mail address you provide, so be sure to check your e-mail regularly and to notify the WPWP office if there are any changes in your contact information.
The current cost per WPWP course is $2,893. This includes tuition and a $78 technical fee which is charged per course during the fall and spring semesters. This technical fee is not assessed during the summer term.
Four-course program — $2,893.00 x 4 = $11,572.00* **
(Finance and Accounting Certificate Program, Human Resource Management Certificate, Marketing Certificate Program)
Six-course program — $2,893.00 x 6 = $17,358.00* **
(Business Essentials Certificate Program, Entrepreneurship Certificate Program)
*Tuition is subject to change annually at the beginning of the summer term.
**Tuition includes a technical fee charged in the fall and spring semesters only.
What is the cost of the Wharton Business and Law Certificate?
The tuition cost for the Wharton Business and Law Certificate (WBLC) is $8,679. This includes tuition and a $78 technical fee which is charged per course during the fall and spring semesters. Only students enrolled in Penn Law's LLM program are eligible to apply.
Financial aid, in the form of loans, is available for those who qualify through the University of Pennsylvania's Student Financial Services. Students are advised that they must be enrolled in two or more courses to be eligible for financial aid. For information, participants should contact Student Financial Services at 215.898.1988 (press 3 to speak to a counselor) or visit Penn's Student Financial Services.
Many WPWP students are funded by their employers. Because WPWP courses are post-baccalaureate, tuition benefits from employers are not considered taxable income under current IRS regulations. Some students may be eligible for a tax deduction for work-related educational expenses. Consult your tax advisor or your local Internal Revenue Service office. University of Pennsylvania employees may be eligible for Penn's tuition benefit.
What are the minimum grade requirements for WPWP courses?
In order for a given course to count towards a certificate, a student must achieve a grade of "C" or better. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in certificate courses is required for graduation.
WPWP does not accept transfer credits or give credit for life experience. However, students who have previously completed a course they believe to be equivalent to a course required for a certificate may petition to substitute the required course for another WPWP course. This should be done at the outset of the student's program, in consultation with a program representative (see "substitutions" below). A description of the course must be submitted, issued by the academic institution where the course was taken. Evidence of a grade of B or better for the course must be indicated on the student's transcript from this institution.
Is it possible to substitute or waive courses based on my background?
Courses may be substituted based on undergraduate or previous graduate coursework. Students must have received grades of "B" or better in equivalent undergraduate coursework. Substitutions must be requested in advance through the submission of a formal petition and approved in writing by a program representative. Substitutions will not be approved retroactively. Prior coursework is evaluated on its own merit. WPWP does not allow course substitutions for life or professional experience.
If I enroll as "Non-Certificate/No-Major," can I transfer the courses taken into a certificate?
Students who enroll in WPWP as a No-Major student may take up to two courses, which can be counted towards a certificate if they are later accepted into a certificate program. If you are considering a specific certificate, it is advisable that you take courses in the sequence recommended for that certificate. Courses must fall into the certificate’s sequence requirements, and students must have completed prerequisites before taking certain courses.
A maximum of two courses per term can be taken during the fall and spring terms. The summer semester is divided into two six-week terms. During each six-week term, you are allowed to take one course, for a total of two for the summer semester. There is also a 12-week Saturday session, in which you may take up to two courses.
Is there a time limitation for completing a certificate program?
Coursework for WPWP certificates must be completed within three years of the student's first date of entry. Exceptions may be made for military leave, disability, or other extenuating circumstances. Students who would like to request an exception to this time limit should contact a WPWP program representative.
Wharton Programs for Working Professionals is a part-time program. The maximum number of courses allowed per semester is two. A four-course certificate program can be completed in as little as two semesters. A six-course certificate program can be completed in as little as three semesters.
During the fall and spring terms, courses are offered Monday through Thursday, 6:30 pm–9:10 pm. During the summer term, courses are offered twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00 pm–9:25 pm. Saturday courses are offered at 10:00 am–12:40 pm and 1:40 pm–4:10 pm.
How long does it take to complete a certificate program?
A four-course certificate program can be completed in as little as two semesters. A six-course certificate program can be completed in as little as three semesters.
Typical class time will be approximately 2 1/2 hours weekly. Homework time varies from course to course, but on the average students should expect approximately 6 hours of outside class work a week per course.
Yes. All WPWP courses earn academic credit. All courses are 3 credit hours except for MKTG 453 (New Product Management), which earns 1.5 credit hours. WPWP students receive grades, and all course information is included on a student's University of Pennsylvania transcript.
Are WPWP course/credits transferable to the Wharton MBA program?
Wharton's MBA program does not accept transfer credits. However, admitted MBA students who have completed equivalent courses through other programs, including WPWP, may be able to waive one or more of the required core courses in the MBA program. Students would then be able to take more electives in the MBA program. Approval is granted by Wharton's MBA and MBA for Executive offices and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Are WPWP course/credits transferable to outside universities?
Many institutions accept transfer credits from courses taken through WPWP. This may either allow a student to shorten the length of time needed to obtain the MBA or other graduate degree, or enable the student to take elective courses in place of required courses. The decision to accept transfer courses is determined by the admissions representatives of that institution and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Many professionals complete a WPWP certificate prior to pursuing an MBA. In particular, the Business Essentials Certificate and the Finance and Accounting Certificate provide opportunities for participants to strengthen their quantitative skills while earning a post-baccalaureate certificate from Wharton. Because the courses required to earn a WPWP certificate are for-credit and often make up the core of MBA programs, many find that a WPWP certificate builds a foundation that is helpful in the pursuit of an MBA degree.
Applicants who are unsure which certificate they want to pursue, giving them the opportunity to take up to two classes before deciding.
Individuals who are interested in taking one or two courses without completing a certificate program.
Professionals seeking to refresh their knowledge in a specific business area.
This route allows you to take up to two classes from a variety of course selections without having to commit to a specific certificate program. If you elect to transfer into a certificate program from No-Major status, you can then apply those credits toward the certificate of your choice. Courses must fall into the certificate's sequence requirements, and students must have completed prerequisites before taking certain courses.
How do I convert from "Non-certificate/No-Major" status to a certificate?
Students who wish to convert from Non-Certificate/No-Major status into a certificate program must contact, via e-mail, a WPWP representative at wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu and indicate their preference of certificate and term. Additional application materials needed include two letters of recommendation and two personal essays, which are found on the No-Major group website on Wharton Direct. A new resume may also be submitted if significant changes have occurred. You do not need to submit a new application or pay an additional application fee. Questions regarding the conversion process, essay questions, or letters of recommendation should be directed to a WPWP program representative at wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu. Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance decision approximately two to three weeks after all application materials have been received.
What are the backgrounds of students in Wharton Programs for Working Professionals?
Participants come from a variety of backgrounds. They include those who have risen to a high level in a specific discipline such as science or technology and who need a business education to advance into senior management. Other WPWP students are professionals in the early or mid-stages of their careers who have no formal business training and want an introduction to business before applying to an MBA program. Entrepreneurs seeking formal business training in order to enhance their management skills are also among WPWP students.
What are the participant demographics of Wharton Programs for Working Professionals?
The average age of the WPWP student is 34 (students range in age from 26–55). Approximately 42% of participants are female and 58% male. In addition to the required baccalaureate (four-year college) degree, 38% of participants have earned advanced degrees such as an MS, MA, or MBA, and 17% have earned doctoral-level degrees such as a PhD, JD, MD, or VMD.
Geographically, 70% of our students are from the Philadelphia or New Jersey areas; 13% from Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC; and 7% from New York City or Northern New Jersey. Approximately 10% are international students.
What are the most common industries of the attendees?
Industries presented in WPWP are diversified. Prominent industries are pharmaceutical, energy/chemical, communication, and financial services. There is also representation from health care, non-profit, small business, legal, and government agencies. Participants hold middle to upper management positions; many are transitioning to more senior positions or into different roles within their companies. In addition, there are a number of entrepreneurs and small business owners enrolled in WPWP.
Classes are held in state-of-the-art learning facilities at the Wharton School's Jon M. Huntsman Hall on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, located at 3730 Walnut Street.
On-street metered parking is available and public pay parking garages are located in and around the University area. In addition, public transportation is also available.
Are WPWP graduates recognized as University of Pennsylvania alumni?
Students who earn their certificates from the Wharton Program for Working Professionals will be alumni of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School.
What Penn Resources are available to WPWP Students?
As a matriculated part-time student, WPWP students can take advantage of an extensive list of resources. Access to Penn's Lippincott Library, Weingarten Learning Resource Center, and Knowledge@Wharton are a few of the many opportunities accessible to students enrolled in the program. In addition, access to study rooms, recreation facilities, and student organizations, including WPWP's business fraternity, Pi Delta Epsilon, is also available.
Wharton Programs for Working Professionals
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
255 South 38th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6359
215.898.2888 phone
215.386.4304 fax wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu
