At Wharton, we value the unique perspectives of students with non-business and nonprofit backgrounds.  Because an MBA is a highly flexible degree, it creates opportunities for students from virtually every background, whether you plan to pursue a traditional business career or a more nontraditional career in a non-profit organization, the government sector, an international agency, or another area.  You can also pursue nontraditional coursework at Penn’s 11 world-leading schools and gain a solid foundation in quantitative courses during Pre-Term.

Each year, we accept students from a wide range of non-business backgrounds, including government, the arts, communications, and medicine.  And each year, Wharton graduates enter the nonprofit and public service fields — some directly upon graduation, others after years in a traditional business career.

Non-Traditional Academic Focus

Wharton is committed to social responsibility and strong corporate citizenship. The school offers a Business and Public Policy major, with fields of study in International Policy, Public Finance, Public/Nonprofit Management, Business and Government Relations, and Urban Economic Development. In addition to a required course on Ethics in Management, Wharton offers integrated discussion on ethical business decisions across the curriculum. The Carol and Lawrence Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research conducts leading research in business ethics and the relationship between markets and morality. Courses offered through Wharton include:

• Community Reinvestment
• Environmental Management Law and Politics
• Geopolitics
• Management of Culture and Performing Arts
• Nations, Politics, and Markets
• Political Economics of the Public Sector
• Privatization: International Perspectives
• Urban Fiscal Policy
• Urban Public Policy & Private Development

To further customize their course of studies, MBA candidates may take up to four graduate-level electives in other University of Pennsylvania schools or complete a full dual-degree program with the School of Social Practice and Policy, Graduate School of Education, Law School, Annenberg School for Communication, or the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, or Dental Medicine.

Academic Support for Non-Traditional Students

Nontraditional students may have studied liberal arts, social science, engineering, law, or medicine; developed specialized skills; or earned an advanced degree in another field entirely. What they do not have is formalized business training as an undergraduate or from a corporate training program. In our program, nontraditional students can develop basic business knowledge and skills required for a successful academic experience. Wharton's Pre-Term courses prepare students for the first-year curriculum. In addition, Wharton's cohort system and learning team structure provide built-in support networks. Students bring their individual expertise to the team, helping those with different experience and business backgrounds to meet common goals.

Clubs for Non-Traditional Students

Wharton's 100+ student clubs and conferences play a special role for nontraditional students. Clubs may focus on a specific business/social issue, and membership facilitates a natural learning and networking environment. There are many opportunities for putting leadership skills into action by playing a role in organizing high-level conferences and community outreach activities. This is especially important for nontraditional students who are using the MBA to transition to traditional careers.

The John M. Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Fund for Public Service

The John M. Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Fund for Public Service was created in 2005 to encourage Wharton MBA graduates to pursue careers in the public and non-public sectors. Awards are to based on commitment to the public and/or not-for-profit sectors, long-term career goals and financial need. This Program replaces the Wharton Public/Non-Profit Loan Assistance Program established in 2001. View a printable copy of the program description and application. (PDF,56KB)

Summer Public Interest Fund (SPIF)

SPIF, a student-founded and student-run program, makes it economically viable for Wharton MBA students to pursue summer internships in the nonprofit/public-interest sector. Many nonprofit opportunities can offer minimal or no salary for the summer. SPIF supplements or fully funds these opportunities, giving Wharton students the opportunity to use their skills for the public interest with less economic hardship. First-year students donate a percentage (usually 1%) of their summer salary to SPIF, and the remainder of funding comes from corporate sponsors.

Wharton Alliance for Social Responsibility

The Wharton Alliance For Social Responsibility (WASR) represents an alliance of student clubs and interest groups focused on social impact issues. WASR activities cover a wide range of interests, from environmental sustainability to corporate ethics and social responsibility to nonprofit and public sector management. Through coursework, on-campus speakers and conferences, professional activities, and volunteer work, WASR offers Wharton students the opportunity to pursue professional and personal interests in social impact fields while earning their MBA.

Wharton Veterans Club

This professional club provides outreach to current and former members of the military interested in earning an MBA, as well as current MBA students and veteran alumni in the business community. Members of the Veterans Club facilitate the transition of potential students from the military to the Wharton community.