The Graduate Division

The Graduate Division is the home of doctoral programs in the arts and sciences at Penn, with more than 30 graduate groups spanning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

At the Frontiers

Our graduate groups offer a rigorous education, guiding students as they pursue advanced research and begin to make their own original contributions at the frontiers of knowledge.

A Variety of Paths

Our doctoral students represent the next generation of scholars and leaders of academia, as well as experts who will apply their advanced training in a wide variety of professions.

Options for Master's

In addition to doctoral programs, a number of graduate groups offer programs that lead to the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.).

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Graduate Groups

Africana Studies

Ancient History

Anthropology

Applied Math and Computational Science

Art and Archaeology in the Mediterranean World

Astronomy

Biology

Chemistry

Classical Studies

Comparative Literature

Criminology

Demography

Earth and Environmental Science

East Asian Languages and Civilizations

Economics

English

Germanic Languages

History

History and Sociology of Science

International Studies

Jewish Studies

Linguistics

Mathematics

Music

Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

Philosophy

Physics & Astronomy

Political Science

Psychology

Religious Studies

Romance Languages

Sociology

South Asia Regional Studies

Grad Ben Talks

Recently, Penn Arts and Sciences presented the 2018 Grad Ben Talks: an afternoon of TED Talk-style presentations by graduate students representing the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Professional Master’s programs. Judges selected winners in each of the four categories. There was also an Audience Choice Winner selected by online votes.

Watch the winning presentations

Arts & Sciences News

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The Power of Penn Arts & Sciences

On April 12, 2018, the Power of Penn Arts & Sciences fundraising campaign was announced by the Board of Overseers. Launched in conjunction with the University’s Power of Penn campaign, it aims to raise $550 million for the School of Arts and Sciences.

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2018 Penn Arts and Sciences Dean’s Scholars

Penn Arts and Sciences has named 20 students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, and the Graduate Division as Dean’s Scholars. This honor is presented annually to students who exhibit exceptional academic performance and intellectual promise.

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Joseph Subotnik Named Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor

Joseph Subotnik, Professor of Chemistry, has been named Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Chemistry. A theoretical chemist who focuses on electronic processes in the condensed phase, Dr. Subotnik has made key contributions in electronic structure theory, chemical dynamics, and statistical mechanics.

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Two Penn Arts and Sciences Professors Named Guggenheim Fellows

Charles L. Bosk, Professor of Sociology, and Charles Yang, Professor of Linguistics and Computer Science, have been awarded 2018 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellowships.

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Ahmad Family Endowment Supports Penn Global Seminars

Hyder Ahmad, W’90, and his family have made a generous gift to establish the Ahmad Family Endowment for Penn Global Seminars in Arts and Sciences.

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Abraham Nitzan Named Donner Professor of Physical Sciences

Abraham Nitzan, Professor of Chemistry, has been named Donner Professor of Physical Sciences. Nitzan’s research focuses on the interaction of light with molecular systems, chemical reactions in condensed phases and interfaces and charge transfer processes in such environments.

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2018 Teaching Award Recipients Announced

Steven J. Fluharty, Dean of Penn Arts and Sciences, and Paul Sniegowski, Stephen A. Levin Family Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, have announced the recipients of the 2018 awards for distinguished teaching in the School.

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College Graduation Speakers for 2018 Revealed

Angela Duckworth, G’03, GR’06, Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Psychology, will address the Class of 2018 at the graduation ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences on Sunday, May 13, 2018. She will be joined by student speaker Helena von Nagy, C’18.

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Individualized Care Will Become the Standard for Depression Patients

In a new paper for the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, researchers Robert DeRubeis, Samuel H. Preston Term Professor in the Social Sciences, and Zachary Cohen of Psychology, address precision medicine, also known as customized-care, in the context of treatment for depression.

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Restoring Vacant Lots Reduces Gun Violence and Crime

In cities across the U.S., about 15 percent of land is considered vacant or abandoned. These areas can foster criminal activity, and urban residents, especially those in low-income neighborhoods, often view vacant land as a threat to their health and safety.

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