Concentration Options & Requirements
All students in the Wharton undergraduate program major in business but select an area of concentration designed to provide greater depth in one specialty area. The concentration consists of four courses above the introductory level. The Wharton School’s undergraduate concentrations include:
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Business and Public Policy
Entrepreneurship & Innovation (second concentration only)
Environmental Policy & Management
Finance
Global Analysis (second concentration only)
Health Care Management and Policy
Individualized
Insurance and Risk Management
Legal Studies & Business Ethics (second concentration only)
Management
Managing Electronic Commerce (second concentration only)
Marketing
Marketing & Communication (dual concentration)
Marketing & Operations Management (joint concentration)
Operations and Information Management
Real Estate
Retailing (second concentration only)
Statistics
Transportation
Second Concentrations
To complete a second concentration, the requirements of two Wharton concentrations must be satisfied (one of which must be one of the primary concentrations offered). In most cases, students use their unrestricted electives to pursue this option. Because this reduces the number of arts and sciences courses students can take, students should consider carefully before deciding to complete more than one concentration. Students may not double-count courses between concentrations.
Individualized Concentrations
Some students find, after thoroughly examining options currently available, that the standard concentrations do not satisfy their interests or goals. These students should explore the possibility of designing an individualized concentration, consisting of at least four courses that are united by a common theme.
Students who wish to pursue this option should complete the following steps:
- Consult with an academic advisor in the Undergraduate Division.
- Draft a proposal listing the four courses to be included in the concentration and presenting a reasoned argument for the individualized concentration.
- Submit the proposal to a faculty member in the department of a related field to provide guidance and to ultimately endorse the proposal in writing.
- Submit the proposal and proof of faculty endorsement to the Petitions Committee in the Undergraduate Division for approval.
An established concentration can also be tailored to specific student interests by substituting a required course with one not on the list of courses that traditionally defines the concentration. Students must obtain approval from the relevant Wharton concentration advisor and then submit a petition to the Petitions Committee in the Undergraduate Division for final approval.
How to Declare a Concentration
To declare a concentration, students can simply complete a Concentration Declaration Form or speak to an advisor in the Undergraduate Division. Students may change their concentration at any time.
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