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Although the dual degree option provides the possibility of receiving two undergraduate degrees, one of the disadvantages is the reduction in the number of free electives students can take, a consideration for those who wish to expand, not limit, the breadth of their liberal arts education.
Another disadvantage is the heavy course load - often five to six courses a semester - and the effect this might have on a student's cumulative grade point average. Some students decide not to do a dual degree because of the extra time (summers or a ninth semester) that the dual degree program often demands.
Dual Degree
Penn undergraduates have the unique opportunity to receive two Bachelor's degrees simultaneously by completing the requirements of the College along with those of the Nursing School, the School of Engineering and Applied Science or the Wharton School.
A student pursuing the dual degree earns a B.A. from the College and a B.S. from Wharton or Nursing, or the B.S.E. or B.A.S. from Engineering.
It is important to distinguish between a double major and the dual degree program: A student pursuing a double major satisfies the requirements for two separate major programs within the College but earns a single degree, the B.A. A student pursuing a dual degree will receive two bachelor's degrees simultaneously, from two separate schools of the University.
A candidate for a dual degree should consult with an advisor from the school of interest and the College advisors who specialize in dual degree, Dr. Srilata Gangulee in the College Office. Careful planning is an important part of doing a dual degree.
College students submit their application for the program to Dr. Gangulee, who forward it to the school to which the student is applying. If the student is accepted, the College will continue to act as his or her home school.
Satisfying the requirements of both schools can require more than four years, depending upon A.P. credits and how many courses overlap both schools' requirements.
