Penn is committed to integrating knowledge across the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines.
This interdisciplinary emphasis is one the university’s most distinctive educational qualities.
“The most challenging questions and problems of our time,” in the words of The Penn Compact, “cannot be addressed by one discipline or profession. To comprehend our complex world, we must better integrate knowledge from different disciplines and professional perspectives in our research and teaching.”
Penn’s 12 schools put this principle directly into practice. And it comes to life through such campus-wide initiatives as the Penn Integrates Knowledge (PIK) professors, whose work crosses departments, bringing together diverse academic areas in innovative and creative ways.
Here are some of the opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study that integrates knowledge across schools, programs, and departments.
Undergraduate
Interdisciplinary Programs
Students are usually admitted to these programs when they are admitted to Penn. However, some programs may allow students to apply as freshmen or sophomores.
- Huntsman Program in International Studies and Business
- Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology
- Roy and Diana Vagelos Program in Life Sciences and Management
Dual and Joint Degree Programs
- Computer and Cognitive Science Program
- Liberal Studies and Technology Program
- Nursing and Health Care Management Program
Submatriculation Programs
These programs allow students to combine an undergraduate degree in one school with an advanced degree from another. See More Information »
University Minors
These opportunities involve the collaboration of two or more schools. See More Information »
Interdisciplinary Majors
The College offers a number of interdisciplinary majors and programs. See More Information »
Graduate
Penn is committed to providing graduate students with a wide range of occasions for interdisciplinary research and learning.
Visit our web page on interdisciplinary opportunities for graduate students to learn more about the variety of available options.
Penn’s large number of high-level research centers and institutes play an active role in bringing together scholars and students from across departmental and school boundaries.
Many of the University’s unique graduate groups are interdisciplinary by design, including faculty across multiple departments and schools. Penn’s graduate students are therefore trained to do teaching and research that will advance the frontiers of knowledge in their fields.