Graduate Admissions

Accelerated Master's Program (4+1)

The Fall 2023 application is now available here.

Current Penn students, go here.

The Accelerated Master’s program (formally the 4+1 External Submatriculation Program) enables qualified undergraduates outside of the University of Pennsylvania to begin a Master’s degree program at Penn Engineering while still completing their undergraduate degree at their respective institution. Currently these include Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and LaSalle University. The deadline to apply for Fall 2023 is February 1, 2023.

To find out more about our master’s programs, entry requirements, and/or graduation requirements, go to the list of programs. If you have questions regarding your prospective program, contact the program’s Graduate Coordinator; contact information can be found here.

Upon approval by the respective graduate faculty at Penn Engineering and your respective undergraduate college, a student admitted to the Accelerated Master’s may take up to three graduate courses at Penn for both undergraduate and graduate credit. (Biotechnology master’s students may take up to four.)

Minimum Requirements for Application:

To apply, you must have the necessary background and major to enter into the desired master’s degree program, which may be found on the website of each respective master’s program. A full listing of the Penn Engineering Master’s programs is here. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA in all math, science, and engineering courses, or “STEM GPA” are required to apply. In addition, students should apply no later than February 1 of their junior year. Admission decisions are made on a selective basis.

GRE

The GRE is not required for Accelerated Master’s applicants. However, you are encouraged to take the GRE, if you plan to pursue a Ph.D.

Completing the Undergraduate Degree

You are required to graduate from your home institution at the end of your fourth year. If this is not achieved, you will be dropped from the master’s degree program at Penn Engineering.

Taking Graduate courses at Penn as an Accelerated Master's student

Students may take up to three graduate courses at Penn (four for Biotechnology) to “double-count” toward their bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. Double-counting is defined as allowing courses to be used to satisfy both degrees.

Full-time residency at Penn in the fifth year

In the fifth year of the Accelerated Master’s, students will enroll as full-time master’s students in Penn Engineering after completing their undergraduate degree at their home institution. Students will complete the remainder of the courses required, ten (10), for all programs and eleven (11) for Biotechnology. Students are financially responsible for all tuition and fees in the fifth year. Master’s tuition and fees are charged by the course unit.

When to Apply

Applications are open from September through June. Applicants who want to matriculate in Fall 2023, must submit their application by February 1, 2023.

Applicants must apply no later than their junior year.

Application Procedure

Step 1: Meet with your current institution’s Accelerated Master’s advisor/designee for approval before submitting your application.

 

Step 2: Complete the application, select the Accelerated Master’s option, and indicate your institution. Required supporting documents include:

  • Unofficial transcript
  • A two-three page statement of purpose
  • Email contacts of two professional references. (Examples of professional references are a program director, advisor, instructor, internship/lab supervisor or PI, etc.)
  • Proposed Graduate Courses Form
  • *The following Accelerated Master’s Programs require submission of a resume or CV: Computer Graphics and Game Technology (CGGT), Computer and Information Science (CIS), Computer and Information Technology (CIT), and Data Science (DATS).*

 

Step 3: If you are admitted and matriculate, you will be required to submit your official transcript upon completion of your undergraduate degree.  You will receive instructions on where to email the official copy. Or you can mail it to our office at the below address:

University of Pennsylvania
SEAS Graduate Admissions
Levine North Building (GRW) Room 166B
3330 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
Attn: Accelerated Master’s