Criminology Dual Degrees

The University of Pennsylvania, with the strength of its schools and programs across many disciplines, offers an ideal setting in which to pursue dual graduate degrees.

What dual degrees are offered?
Penn Masters in Criminology students can pursue dual degree programs, for example, with:

• MS/MGA - Fels Institute of Government in the School of Arts and Sciences
  Students can pursue a Masters in Government Administration along with a Master of Science in Criminology. For the MS/MGA, because it is all within the School of Arts and Sciences, the prospective student can just fill out the MS in Criminology application (or the MGA application), and then ask the recipient program to copy and forward the file to the other program's admissions committee. Note: The applicant must, however, write a separate personal statement for each program. Other materials (e.g., recommendation letters, transcripts, GRE score, resume) can be copied and forwarded from one program application to the other.
  


• MS/JD- Penn Law School
  In August, 2005, the School of Arts & Sciences approved a Law-Criminology Dual Degree Program developed over the prior year between Penn Law and the Department of Criminology. The Penn Law faculty approved the program in March, 2005. Students can earn either a combined JD/MA or JD/MS degree. Students apply independently to each school/department; each makes its own independent admissions decision. Because of overlapping course requirements and electives, students can earn both degrees in less time than it would take to earn each consecutively. Students with questions about Penn Law should contact Gary Clinton, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, gclinton@law.upenn.edu and those with questions on the Criminology side should be in touch with Laurie Robinson, Director of the M.S. Program, at robinsol@sas.upenn.edu.
  


• MS/MSW - Penn School of Social Policy and Practice
  The Criminology Department launched a new Social Work-Criminology Dual Degree Program in 2005. The Department's participation in the new Master of Social Work/Master of Science in Criminology dual degree program was formally approved in early May by the University's School of Arts & Sciences. The program, which has been in development for the past 12 months, requires two academic years, as well as taking courses over the summer between.

How do I apply for a dual degree?
For dual degrees outside the School of Arts and Sciences (e.g., JD, MBA), interested applicants must submit separate applications and be admitted separately to each school. However, all supporting materials (e.g., test scores, recommendation letters, transcripts, resume) need only be submitted to one (with the request that those files be shared with the other school). Applications need not be simultaneous. Many students start one program and decide later to add a second. Degrees can be pursued consecutively or concurrently.

When applying for a dual degree, only one application fee needs to be paid.

In these combined programs, how is total course load affected?
While this may differ in individual cases, many requirements for one degree program can frequently be taken as electives in the other.

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