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