If you are a working professional unsure of which certificate you wish to pursue at this point, or if you are seeking to refresh your knowledge in a specific business area, WPWP offers the Non-Certificate/No-Major option. This route allows you to take up to two classes from a variety of course selections without having to commit to a specific certificate program. If you elect to transfer into a certificate program after completing the two courses, you can then apply those credits toward the certificate of your choice.
The Non-Certificate (No-Major) option offers courses that span business disciplines. If you are considering a specific certificate, it is advisable that you take courses in the sequence recommended for that certificate. Courses are grouped as they relate to each certificate. WPWP recommends that courses be taken in the order outlined below; other sequences need to be planned with a WPWP program representative. Certain courses are not available to Non-Certificate/No-Major students.
MGMT 406: Formation and Implementation of Entrepreneurial Ventures†
*Must have completed prerequisites before taking this course.
†Course is unavailable to non-certificate/no-major students.
Please contact our Program Consultant for more information.
Non-major students may choose from the following schedule of courses:
Up to two courses, offered Monday through Thursday, each meeting one evening per week.
Up to two courses offered on Saturdays during fall and spring semesters.
One course that meets two evenings per week in one or both of the 6-week summer sessions.
Up to two courses on Saturdays during the 12-week Saturday summer term.
All courses earn post-baccalaureate credits from the University of Pennsylvania. Courses are taught by Wharton professors and industry executives who are appointed for their subject expertise, teaching skills, and ability to offer networking opportunities to participants.
Applicants who enroll in WPWP as a "No-Major" student may apply a maximum of two courses taken towards a certificate, provided that they are later accepted into a certificate program. Courses must fall into the certificate sequence requirement or will not be later applied toward a certificate.
Students wishing to convert from "No-Major" status to a certificate should contact a program consultant at wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu for application information and assistance.
Students should also contact a program representative to withdraw from a course after the drop deadline or to request temporary inactive status or a leave of absence.
Applications must be filed according to the following schedule of deadlines:
For the Spring term beginning January 13, 2010 no later than December 18, 2009
For the Summer I term beginning May 24, 2010 no later than April 16, 2010*
For the Summer II term beginning July 6, 2010 no later than May 21, 2010
*For the Saturday Business Essentials Certificate Program, the Summer session beings June 5, 2010 and ends August 28, 2010. All materials must be received by the Summer I deadline.*
WPWP-ELP Alliance students may notbegin certificate
study in the summer sessions.
Fees for the 2009-10 academic year will be $3,010* per course.
* Includes $82 tech fee not charged during the summer sessions. Tuition is subject to change.
WPWP certificate courses receive full post-baccalaureate accreditation from the University of Pennsylvania and often qualify for most companies' tuition assistance programs. In addition, Penn offers loan programs, details of which are available at www.sfs.upenn.edu.
For more information, or to apply, please contact:
Wharton Programs for Working Professionals
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
255 South 38th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104.6359
215.898.2888 phone
215.898.2064 fax wharton-wpwp@wharton.upenn.edu
“I wanted to move from mid-level executive but I didn't have the business and management fundamentals. After completing the WPWP certificate, I'm more confident having conversations with people. They recognize that I'm different now.”
Madeline Fazzalari Director of sales operations for the Princeton, NJ-based pharmaceuticals research organization Covance Inc.
She took the Business Essentials Certificate Program in order to pursue more strategic opportunities with the company.