Wharton Business and Law Certificate
Academic Policies
Program Support
WPWP program representatives are available to provide guidance regarding Wharton (WPWP) course selection, academic policies, or other administrative issues.
Appointments can be made by emailing WPWP or calling +1.215.746.3149. Penn Law representatives can assist with issues relating to law classes, registration, or other academic issues. Please email gradadmissions@law.upenn.edu or call +1.215.898.0407.
Minimum Grade Requirements
All courses in the WBLC program earn academic credit, and upon completion students will receive a grade and a permanent record on their transcript. The following are the minimum grade requirements for the certificate:
In order for a given Wharton course to count toward the certificate, a student must achieve a grade of "C" or better.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent in courses leading to the certificate is required for graduation. If a student completes all courses for the certificate and does not have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or its equivalent, the student may retake any Wharton course in which a C or better was not achieved or take an additional Wharton course, which then can be included in the certificate GPA calculation.
Students may retake any Wharton course in which they achieved an unsatisfactory grade. They must register for the course, pay the full fee, and meet all class requirements for attendance and assignments. The original grade remains on the student's official transcript but is not figured into the GPA for the purposes of certificate completion.
We encourage any students who have questions about meeting these requirements to speak with a WPWP program representative.
Students must observe the policies regarding the order in which courses should be taken. Course prerequisite requirements are noted under Course Descriptions. Students wishing to alter the sequencing requirements must submit a petition form to the WPWP office. Petition forms can be found on Wharton Direct. Petitions for permission to waive prerequisites must include documentation of prior coursework in the form of a course syllabus/description.
WPWP does not accept transfer credits or give credit for life experience. Students who have previously completed a course they believe to be equivalent to a course required to satisfy a prerequisite 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. Students will need to submit VIA EMAIL a description of the course taken issued by the academic institution where they studied. Evidence of a B grade or better must be indicated on the student's official transcript from this institution. In addition, the email should include the course to be substituted and the requested replacement course. Email requests should be sent to Wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu. The decision of your request will be emailed within 72 hours.
The specific dates that apply to drop/withdrawal/refund policies are included in the WPWP Academic Calendar, which is posted on Wharton Direct at the beginning of each term. Deadlines posted in this calendar supersede any deadlines posted elsewhere by other schools or departments at Penn.
As each student is charged Full tuition and fees for the Wharton Business and Law Certificate prior to the start of the fall term, should a student wish to drop out of the WBLC the tuition refund schedule will apply:
If the student withdraws during the add/drop period of the fall semester 100% of tuition and fees will be refunded to the student.
If the student withdraws during the fall term after the add/drop period and is taking one class, 50% of tuition and fees will be refunded to the student.
If the student withdraws during the fall term after the add/drop period and is taking more than one class tuition and fees will not be refunded to the student.
If the student withdraws during the spring term tuition and fees will not be refunded to the student.
Courses may be dropped during the first two weeks of the term in Spring and Fall.
Students must complete a Withdrawal Request form, which includes obtaining permission from the instructor. This form can be found on Wharton Direct.
A "W" will appear on the transcript if the course is dropped after the drop/add period is ended.
Students withdrawing due to illness must include with their withdrawal request a physician's letter stating clearly that the student has been disabled by an injury or illness arising after the beginning of classes and is unable to continue class work.
Students withdrawing due to military service must include a copy of military orders or a signed affidavit from the military member's commanding officer that confirms the military orders and the dates of the assignment.
Students also will need to notify Penn Law of their actions by emailing gradadmissions@law.upenn.edu or calling 215.898.0407.
At the discretion of the instructor, students may arrange to receive a grade of "Incomplete" or "I" and complete coursework after the term ends. The deadline for instructors to turn in revised grades for all "Incomplete" grades is one month after the first day of the following semester. After that date, all "I" grades are automatically converted to "F." It is at the instructor's discretion to set a deadline for completion of coursework that allows him or her adequate time to review the student's work and submit a revised grade.
For more information, or to apply, please contact:
Penn Law
Graduate and International Programs
University of Pennsylvania Law School
3400 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6204 USA
+1.215.898.0407 phone +1.215.898.2064 fax gradadmissions@law.upenn.edu
For more information about Wharton Programs for Working Professionals:
Wharton Programs for Working Professionals
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
255 South 38th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6359
+1.215.898.2888 phone
+1.215.898.2064 fax wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu
