Wharton Evening School Reorganization

Penn and the Wharton School announced a significant reorganization last week of the Wharton Evening School.

Historically, the mission of the Wharton Evening School has been to provide high quality practical business education programs for working professionals. Over the years, these have included both non-degree instruction and courses of study leading to an undergraduate degree. In recent years, enrollment has steadily declined in the Wharton Evening School Bachelor in Business Administration program (BBA). As a result, the University and Wharton have reluctantly decided to phase out this degree over a period of years that will allow students currently enrolled in the BBA track to complete their degrees. No new students will be admitted to the Wharton Evening School BBA program. The Wharton Evening School will continue to offer its current non-degree certificate programs: the Marketing Management Certificate, the Graduate School Preparation Certificate and the Wharton Management Program.

We realize this decision will affect students' educational plans. Our top priority is addressing the needs and concerns of our current Wharton Evening School students. I have outlined key information on the effects of the reorganization below:

Currently Enrolled Wharton Evening School BBA Students: Currently enrolled BBA students will have an opportunity to complete their degrees. The Wharton Evening School will continue to offer Wharton Evening School BBA courses through the summer semester of 2006 in order to provide a fair and reasonable period of time for current students to finish their degrees.

Students planning to graduate by 2006: Because most currently enrolled BBA students have completed a sizable portion of their Wharton classes and expect to graduate well before 2006, phasing out of the Wharton Evening School BBA program should have minimal effect on their academic progress.

Students who plan to graduate after 2006: These students will also have the opportunity to complete their BBA through a coordinated program of study offered jointly through the Wharton Evening School and Penn's College of General Studies (CGS).

To finish their remaining coursework during the reorganization, all students should plan to complete the Wharton courses required in their Wharton Evening School BBA program of study before completing the non-Wharton portion of their curriculum. Twenty-two of the 36 courses required in the Wharton Evening School BBA program are offered only through Wharton, and these courses will not be offered after the 2005-06 academic year. Six courses are taught both in the Wharton Evening School and the College of General Studies. Assuming that students take the standard part-time course load of six courses per academic year, currently enrolled students who have not completed any Wharton Evening School courses will have ample time to finish those 22 courses required in the Wharton Evening School BBA before 2006, if they plan accordingly. We encourage students to consult with a Wharton Evening School academic adviser to determine a plan for completing their degree.

Students on Approved Leave from the Wharton Evening School BBA Program: Students placed on an approved leave of absence since Spring 2000 may return to the program at the end of their current approved leave to complete their BBA via the methods described above for currently enrolled students.

Students on Academic Probation: Students who were previously enrolled in the BBA program but who are on academic probation must apply for reinstatement before they can continue their coursework.

Inactive Students Previously Enrolled in the Wharton Evening School BBA Program: Students who were previously enrolled in the BBA program but who have not completed a BBA class since Spring 2000 must apply for reinstatement before they can continue their coursework.

Students Previously Enrolled in the BBA Program with Unpaid Tuition Fees: Students who were unable to register for classes because of unpaid tuition fees will be unable to return to the BBA program until they have satisfied their financial obligations. Students with unpaid balances should contact Student Financial Services (215-898-1988) as soon as possible to make payment arrangements.

Students Admitted to the Wharton Evening School on a Non-Degree Basis: Students accepted into the program on a non-degree basis are welcome to register for Wharton Evening School BBA classes through 2006.

Availability of Part-Time Undergraduate Education after the Wharton Evening School BBA Program Phase-Out: After the complete phase out of the Wharton Evening School BBA degree program, CGS will continue to offer bachelor degree programs for students seeking to study in a part-time evening format. CGS is uniquely experienced in offering a full range of part-time programs and offers a set of practical business courses that can be applied toward a bachelor's degree.

Going forward, part-time students will have the option to earn an undergraduate degree from the CGS, and/or to participate in the non-degree certificate programs from the Wharton Evening School.

Information, Support and Services for Wharton Evening Students

E-mail Your Questions: Students with questions can contact the Wharton Evening School by email, evening@wharton.upenn.edu . Our staff will respond as quickly as possible.

Advising: The advisors and staff in the Wharton Evening School and the Wharton Undergraduate Division will continue to provide individual advising in 1100 Steinberg Hall- Dietrich Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays, 5-6:30 p.m., or by appointment at different times. We encourage students to review their current progress toward the Wharton Evening School BBA and work with an adviser to ensure completion of the degree under the phase-out plan.

We remain committed to students' educational goals, and we look forward to assisting them in the completion of their Wharton Evening School BBA program in the coming years.

-- David A. Cather, Director, Wharton Evening School