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Wharton MBA Dual Degree Programs
Many Wharton MBA students choose to extend their education beyond the Wharton School. Whether it’s an MBA for Engineers, a JD/MBA, or a dual MBA/Master of Science in Nursing, consider customizing your MBA experience with one of the MBA dual degree or interdisciplinary program options Wharton offers with the University of Pennsylvania and other schools below.
Dual Degree & Joint MBA Programs
A dual or joint MBA degree allows students to complement their business education with another area of study. Some students choose to combine their business degree with a professional program, while others combine their business education with another graduate degree in a particular area of interest to hone their expertise. Wharton offers three integrated interdisciplinary MBA programs at the University of Pennsylvania. These programs allow students to draw from different academic disciplines, pursue a variety of interests and become interdisciplinary thinkers who solve problems with both a creative and analytical approach.
MBA/MA Lauder Joint Degree in International Studies
The MBA/MA Lauder Joint Degree in International Studies combines foreign language skills with a passion for international business by integrating the Wharton MBA program with an MA program in international studies from Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences.
The Francis J. & Wm. Polk Carey JD/MBA
The Francis J. & Wm. Polk Carey JD/MBA Program is a fully integrated three-year joint MBA and JD program that combines the Wharton’s top business school program with Penn’s elite law school. This dual JD MBA program is unique in its three-year curriculum, allowing students to earn two degrees from prestigious schools just blocks away from each other at the University of Pennsylvania. As dual JD MBA programs become more popular, this program’s prestige shines more and more.
MBA in Health Care Management
The MBA in Health Care Management provides students with strengths in health economics and a focus in health management. As dual MBA and healthcare programs become more popular, this program has become increasingly competitive.
Partnerships with Other Schools
Wharton offers established dual MBA programs with Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and Harvard Kennedy School.
Wharton + School of Advanced International Studies Dual Degree
This three-year, MA/MBA dual degree program, offered by Wharton and the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of The Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., prepares students to operate in both business and the international political environment. Students earn an MBA from Wharton and an MA in international relations from SAIS, a program that pioneered area studies and the integration of international politics and economics. While in Washington, students have access to Washington’s resources and to leaders in foreign policy and international trade.
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
| Wharton | SAIS | Semester 1 Wharton |
| Semester 2 SAIS |
Applicants must begin the Wharton part of their program in Pre-Term, and conferral of each degree is contingent upon completion of all requirements for the other program. Students with less preparation in their chosen field of study or in their language requirement may need additional time to complete the SAIS degree. Requests to spend Year 1 at SAIS will also be considered.
Applicants should apply within the cycle directly preceding the year they would like to begin at Wharton. All requests for deferral will be considered within Wharton’s deferral policy.
Wharton + Harvard Kennedy School MPA/MBA and MPP/MBA Dual Degrees
These three-year, dual-degree programs, offered by Wharton and the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) prepare students to operate in both business and public policy or public administration fields. For students with an interest in crafting solutions for public problems across business, government, policy, and more, the dual degree MBA in public policy may be the path for you.
The dual degree option with Wharton allows students to complete the HKS portion of their dual degree over three semesters. The below shows the pathway for students completing the MPA degree where they split the second year between the schools. The MPA/MBA dual degree, MPA/ID and MPP pathways differ in that they require a full year at each school with the third year split between the two.
| YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
| Wharton | Semester 1 HKS |
HKS |
| Semester 2 Wharton |
- The Master in Public Administration (MPA) prepares its graduates for positions of significant responsibility in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. The program’s curriculum lends itself to individual tailoring with guidance from HKS faculty and administrators.
- Geared to the future leaders in the field of international development, the Master in Public Administration/International Development (MPA/ID) is an economics-centered, multidisciplinary program, combining analytical and quantitative methods with an emphasis on policy and practice.
- The Master in Public Policy (MPP) equips future leaders with a conceptual framework and the specific skills they will need to be successful in public service. The initial emphasis of the curriculum is on building a strong conceptual foundation for analysis, management, and advocacy. This MBA/MPP dual degree program is a good option for students interested in working in politics or government.
Applicants must fill out applications to both schools during the first year at either school or simultaneously before enrolling at either school. The two degrees may not be completed sequentially. Conferral of each degree is contingent upon completion of all requirements for the other program. Applicants should apply to Wharton during the application cycle directly preceding their desired Wharton start date. All requests for deferral will be considered within Wharton’s deferral policy.
13+ Dual Degree and Interdisciplinary Programs at Wharton
You can combine your MBA with a degree from one of University of Pennsylvania’s top-rated graduate and professional schools. Listed below are some of the fully integrated programs available to students considering a dual MBA and another degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
| Program | Schools | Degrees Conferred | Class Schedule |
| MBA/MA Lauder Joint Degree in International Studies | The Wharton School & Penn School of Arts and Sciences | MBA/MA in International Studies | 24 months, begins in May with immersion |
| Joint MBA/JD Degree | The Wharton School Penn Law | MBA/JD | 3 years, begins in Law School |
| MBA in Health Care Management | The Wharton School | MBA | 22 months |
| Joint Dental MBA with Wharton and Penn Dental | The Wharton School Penn Dental Medicine | MBA/DMD | 5.5 years, 4 years Dental & 3 semesters MBA |
| Joint Design MBA with Wharton and Penn Stuart Weitzman School of Design | The Wharton School & Penn Stuart Weitzman School of Design | • MBA/MArch • MBA/MLA • MBA/MCP • MBA/MH • MUSA | • 3 years • 4 years • 3 years • 3 years • 2 years |
| Dual Degree Wharton/Education | The Wharton School & Penn Graduate School of Education | • MBA/MSEd in Education Entrepreneurship • MBA/MSEd in Education Policy | • 13 months, begins in July with immersion bootcamp between years 1 and 2 of MBA program. • Concurrent |
| Wharton MBA for Engineering | The Wharton School & Penn School of Engineering and Applied Science | • MBA/MSE • MBA/MCIT • MBA/MIPD • DATS | • Varies, 4 to 6 semesters |
| Environmental MBA with Wharton and Penn SAS | The Wharton School & Penn School of Arts and Sciences | MBA/MES | Concurrent, 3 years or less |
| Dual MBA and Medicine | The Wharton School & Penn Medicine | MBA/MD | Varies |
| Dual degree Wharton MBA and Nursing | The Wharton School & Penn Nursing | • MBA/MSN • MBA/PhD | Varies |
| Dual degree Wharton MBA and Social Work | The Wharton School & Penn School of Social Policy and Practice | MBA/MSW | Concurrent |
| Wharton/Veterinary Medicine | The Wharton School & Penn Veterinary Medicine | • MBA/VMD • MBA/MS | Varies |
Applying for a Dual MBA Degree Program
You can apply for one of the dual-degree programs if you are a current first-year student at one of our partner schools (except any of the Medical Sciences programs, which have different application guidelines) or you plan to pursue the first year of the dual degree at Wharton.
Candidates interested in applying to any other graduate program at Penn not listed above must apply to both programs separately and contact the other program office for details on their courses. The Wharton MBA will be expected to be completed on a full-time basis, like all other degree candidates, with up to 4 courses being allowed to be taken at other Penn graduate schools.
Please review the specific application processes and requirements for joint and dual degrees.
Dual Degree FAQs
What is the difference between an MBA and Masters degree?
An MBA is a Master of Business Administration degree. It’s a specific designation of a master’s degree course of study.
Am I able to apply to the Lauder Program after I have started the Wharton MBA Program?
The academic calendar for first-year students in the Lauder Program begins in May. Students that have been accepted to the Wharton MBA Program in Round 1 or Round 2 can apply separately to the Lauder Program and still will be expected to start the program in May. Students cannot apply to the Lauder Program after they have started their first or second years at Wharton. For more information about applying to the Lauder Program, please visit the Lauder website or contact lauderinfo@wharton.upenn.edu.
Can I combine the Lauder Program with a degree program other than the Wharton MBA?
The Lauder Institute also offers a joint JD/MA program in partnership with Penn Law. For more information about the Lauder JD/MA, please visit this website.
Is Health Care Management a major or a separate health care program?
Health Care Management (HCM) is one of the 19 majors offered through the Wharton MBA Program. The Health Care Management major differs from other majors in that students must select this major at the time of application to Wharton. HCM integrates academic and professional development, helping students to obtain summer and permanent positions in all parts of the health care sector, including consulting firms, health care venture capital and private equity, digital health, health care analytics firms, biotechnology, pharmaceutical firms, hospitals, insurers, and government agencies. If prospective students wish to explore the Health Care Management major, the HCM department is happy to arrange either a telephone conversation or a meeting with June Kinney, the Associate Director of HCM. Please find more information on the application process here.
If I am not accepted into the Health Care Management major, can I still be admitted to Wharton?
Your application will be evaluated specifically for the Health Care Management major. If the Admissions Committee feels you are not best suited for HCM but could be a good fit for the MBA program more broadly, you will be considered for Wharton.
If I am admitted to a dual degree program with the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) or the School of Advanced Studies (SAIS), can I start my degree at HKS or SAIS instead of Wharton?
Applicants should apply to Wharton during the application cycle directly preceding their desired Wharton start date. If you are admitted to both programs and do not want to begin at Wharton, you will need to request a deferral and will be subject to our deferral policy. Deferrals typically are only granted for extenuating circumstances.
Are there any dual degree programs that will not allow me to start at Wharton?
The School of Design requires all dual degree students to start at Penn Design. The Harvard Kennedy School encourages students interested in the MPA/ID dual degree to start at HKS.
If I want to apply to a dual degree program, do I have to apply to the Wharton MBA Program and the other program separately?
Unless otherwise noted on the Interdisciplinary Programs website, you must submit separate applications and materials to both programs. Some schools will have strict application requirements around testing, recommendations, and essays. Please follow the admissions requirements for each individual school.
Are admissions decisions for dual degree programs made by one committee?
Applicants to the Lauder Joint MBA/MA in International Studies, the Francis J. & Wm. Polk Carey JD/MBA Program, and the MBA in Health Care Management will receive one joint decision. For all other MBA dual degree programs, you will receive separate decisions, and it is possible that you could be admitted to one program and not the other.
Can I create my own dual degree with a school not listed on the website?
We cannot accept any credits from other programs. You can pursue another program in your own time, but you would still be required to complete all Wharton credit units as prescribed by the full-time MBA program. As a full-time MBA student, you are expected to be at Wharton and pay tuition for four full semesters.
How do I learn more about a graduate program not listed on the Wharton Interdisciplinary Programs website?
If you are interested in other programs not listed on the website, please contact the program office of that respective program.
How many credit units can I take at other Penn graduate schools while a Wharton MBA student?
All Wharton MBA students can take four to six credit units at other Penn graduate schools.
Can I apply to a dual degree program after starting at Wharton?
For most dual degree programs, you can apply to the other program during your first year at Wharton. However, this may extend your time at Penn.
Can I connect with a current student that is a part of a specific dual degree program?
Due to the volume of such requests, we are unable to connect prospective students with current students in every dual degree program. Please review the profiles of our Admissions Fellows and request to be connected with a current MBA student who most closely aligns with your interests.
What if I want to pursue a degree beyond the master’s level at Penn?
Please speak with the PhD department of your interest if you intend to continue your studies beyond the master’s level.