Professional Master's Programs
As part of its commitment to lifelong learning, the School of Arts and Sciences offers a series of Master's programs designed to enhance and expand the skills of mid-career professionals, graduate students currently enrolled in a degree program, and post-baccalaureate students with a special interest.
Programs are offered on either a part- or full-time basis and accommodate a professional schedule.
Master of Science in Applied Geosciences
Geoscience professionals are on the forefront of environmental
remediation and pollution prevention. The Master of Science
in Applied Geosciences, with concentrations in environmental
geology, hydrology or engineering geology, provides a strong
foundation for licensure and career advancement.
Master of Applied Positive Psychology
The Master of Applied Positive Psychology is for psychologists,
educators, life coaches and other professionals interested
in the application of a psychology that focuses on the empirical
study of positive emotions, strengths-based character and
healthy institutions. The program trains students in the
history, theory and research methods of Positive Psychology
and helps them to apply the concepts and techniques in their
professional settings.
Master
of Biotechnology
Offered jointly by the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering
and Applied Science, the Master of Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary program
that gives students broad exposure to the field of biotechnology. Students
may specialize in Basic Biotechnology, Engineering Biotechnology, or Computational
Biology/Bioinformatics. The program is administered by the School of Engineering
and Applied Science.
Master of Chemistry
Education
The Master of Chemistry Education is a degree program for certified secondary-level
science teachers that integrates science and pedagogy. This program allows
secondary school educators to stay abreast of the theory and research being
pursued in the Chemistry Department in the School of Arts and Sciences and
includes courses in the Graduate School of Education. Courses are offered over
three consecutive summers and the two intervening academic years. The program
is a collaborative initiative of the Department of Chemistry and the Graduate
School of Education.
Master
of Environmental Studies
The Master of Environmental Studies degree meets the academic interests of
a diverse community of college graduates who seek graduate-level education
in environmental analysis and management. The program explores the range of
disciplines that must be considered in addressing critical environmental problems
and develops professional-level expertise. The program is administered by the
College of General Studies.
Master
of Governmental Administration
The Master of Governmental Administration program focuses on developing skills
that are essential to those who seek to become leaders in government service,
non-profit and social service organizations, and organizations associated with
the public sector. The program addresses four core areas: finance, politics,
economics, and management. An internship program places students in Pennsylvania
cabinet agencies, Philadelphia Department of Commerce, the Mayor’s Office
and other agencies. The program is administered by the Fels Institute of Government.
Master of Integrated Science Education
The Master of Integrated Science Education is a collaborative
program among the School’s natural science departments
and the Graduate School of Education. The program, geared
to middle-grade science teachers, augments science knowledge
and aids teachers in changing to research-based pedagogical
practices that enable participants to become teacher-leaders
in their schools or districts.
Master
of Liberal Arts
This program offers students the opportunity to explore the liberal arts from
the perspective of their own interests and without the limits of a specific
discipline. Master of Liberal Arts degree candidates study with Penn’s
finest professors to acquire new knowledge or to enhance their expertise in
their own field. The program is administered by the College of General Studies.
Master
of Medical Physics
The Department of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Arts and Sciences,
in conjunction with the Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology in
the School of Medicine, is pleased to offer the Master of Medical Physics
(MMP) degree. This program meets the academic and career interests of
technically prepared college graduates who seek to combine their interests
in graduate physics with growing career opportunities in the field of medicine.
The MMP program will provide students with rigorous training in essential graduate physics courses as well as more traditional coursework in biology and medical physics. The program offers a well-rounded education, balancing classroom, laboratory and clinical experiences. Students will be introduced to both clinical and research aspects of medical physics through The University of Pennsylvania Health System's (UPHS) state-of-the-art medical imaging and therapy facilities. The traditional problem-solving techniques emphasized in physics graduate training will enable students to address a wide variety of problems encountered in the modern medical environment and to evolve with the field as it continues to embrace the most advanced technologies. The program will also stress communication, ethics and responsibility (in both clinical and research settings) promoting the highest possible standards in patient care. Full-time students will complete the program in two years. In the second year, students will spend a significant amount of their time completing appropriate clinical rotations in the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Part-time study may be possible, and will be considered on an individual basis by the program director.
Master of Science
in Organizational Dynamics
The Organizational Dynamics program provides a means
for professionals to develop and hone their intellectual
and leadership skills to benefit their organization
as well as themselves. The program is based on the premise that the increasing
complexity of organizational problems requires leaders who are able to consider
and integrate the demands of diverse stakeholders, simultaneously address
multiple issues and produce the kind of results that
are necessary to ensure the viability
of their organizations. The program is administered by the Center for Organizational
Dynamics.
Master of Urban Spatial Analytics
The Master of Urban Spatial Analytics degree provides individuals
with spatial technology training and an understanding of
the urban context for which these techniques can be used
to improve public and private decision-making. The program
is a rigorous course of study for students interested in
the application of geographic information, digitized spatial
data and spatial analytics to urban problem solving.