Get a head start on a world-class Penn Engineering graduate degree.
Our accelerated programs offer students an opportunity to optimize academic planning, reduce time and cost to degree completion, and continue building advanced technical expertise beyond the undergraduate experience. The steps you’ll take depend on where you’re enrolled as an undergraduate.
Penn Students
If you’re currently a Penn undergraduate, you have two options for getting a head start on your master’s degree: stay on campus and start the master’s program concurrently with your undergraduate degree, or count three on-campus graduate courses towards your online master’s degree after graduation.
Other U.S. Students
Our partnerships with several U.S. colleges and universities allow you to start earning a Penn master’s degree while completing your bachelor’s at your current institution.
How It Works
Study for four years at your undergraduate institution, then complete your master’s at Penn Engineering in just one additional year. You can begin earning credit toward your master’s degree by taking up to three graduate courses at Penn while enrolled in your undergraduate program. These three courses can be double-counted toward the requirements of your undergraduate and graduate programs.
Eligibility
To apply, you must have the necessary background and major to enter into your desired master’s degree program (check our list of programs for details). You will also need:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Please note: Bioengineering students require a 3.5 minimum to apply.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in all math, science, and engineering courses (“STEM GPA”)
How to Apply
Step 1:
Meet with an Accelerated Master’s advisor at your current institution.
Before you submit the application, meet with an advisor to make sure you’re taking the right courses and meet the admission requirements. For contact information, see your school’s website:
- Bryn Mawr College
- Haverford College
- LaSalle University
- Lincoln University
Contact Information:
General Questions: Bailey Lacke, blacke95@seas.upenn.edu
Admissions Questions: graduate-admissions@seas.upenn.edu
Step 2:
Complete the Penn Engineering Accelerated Master’s degree application.
Select the Accelerated Master’s option and list your institution on the application. You will also need to submit the following supporting documents no later than February 1 of your junior year:
- Unofficial transcript
- A 1-2 page statement of purpose
- Email contacts of two professional references (for example, a program director, advisor, instructor, internship/lab supervisor or PI)
- Proposed Graduate Courses Form
- A professional resume or CV
Global Partnerships
The accelerated master’s for international students enables you to complete your final year of undergraduate studies at Penn Engineering and then enter a graduate program.
You will apply to the program during your sophomore or junior year of undergraduate study at your home institution. You’ll apply to a master’s program in engineering during the fall semester.
This program is for students attending the following universities:
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- ShangHai Tech University
- Vin University
Tuition is charged at your home institution’s tuition rate while you’re an undergraduate, and at the graduate rate once you enroll as a master’s student.
For more information, contact Dr. S. Sonya Gwak, Director of Global Academic Programs, at sgwak@seas.upenn.edu.
