Residency Requirement

Because the value of the Penn experience lies not only in courses taken but also in participation in the life of the University community both in and outside the classroom, at least four semesters of full-time study must be completed while enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. Students must also be registered for their last two semesters at the University, including registration through its approved programs for study abroad.

Students who wish to complete their final courses at another institution by means of credit away must speak with an advisor in the College Office. These students must request a leave of absence as part of this process. Those who propose to take more than 4 courses at another institution will be required to submit a petition to the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standing to waive the residency requirement (students should understand that any petition may be denied). Those who need 4 c.u. or fewer do not need to submit a petition. In all cases, any courses proposed for Penn credit must be approved by the relevant department through XCAT.

No student may graduate with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania without having completed at Penn at least one-half of the total number of required course units. Students must also complete at Penn at least one-half of the courses required for their major (though some major programs may require more than this number).