Requirements

For the PhD:

  1. A total of 20 graduate course credits, of which at least 14 must be in HSSC.
    • One of these courses must be HSSC 505
    • Four others must be graduate seminars in each of at least two of our three major subfields (science, technology and medicine)
    • One must be a research seminar in which the student completes a substantial writing project, and earns an A- or better.
    • One must involve historical study of the period before 1850.

    Obviously, sometimes a single course can satisfy more than one of these requirements, e.g. a research seminar in the history of science focusing on the period before 1850, in which the student writes a paper that earns an A- or better, fulfills three of the requirements.

  2. Successful completion of the formal Second Year Evaluation (required by the University) at the end of the second year of study.

  3. Demonstration of proficiency in two languages. In some cases, statistics can be considered equivalent to a language. Language proficiency must be completed before the Orals Examination can be scheduled. [Click here for information about the department's French language exam.]

  4. Successful completion of the Orals Examination, demonstrating mastery in three fields.

  5. At least one year of mentored teaching experience (two semesters or two courses). At the student’s discretion, it is possible to receive course credit for teaching.

  6. An approved dissertation proposal within six weeks of passing the orals.

  7. A dissertation, approved by the student’s dissertation committee, in accordance with university regulations.

For the Master’s Degree:

  1. A total of 10 graduate course credits, of which at least 8 must be in HSSC.
    • One of these courses must be HSSC 505
    • Four others must be graduate seminars in each of at least two of our three major subfields (science, technology and medicine)
    • One must be a research seminar in which the student completes a substantial writing project, and earns an A- or better.
    • One must involve historical study of the period before 1850.

  2. Successful completion of the formal Second Year Evaluation, as required by the University.

For submatriculation:

To earn a combined BA and MA in four years, undergraduates must complete all normal requirements for graduation at Penn, and all requirements for submatriculation in SAS.

Specifically within HSSC:

  1. A total of 8 graduate course credits, of which at least 6 must be in HSSC. Four of these courses can count toward the BA.
    • One of these courses must be HSSC 505
    • Four others must be graduate seminars in each of at least two of our three major subfields (science, technology and medicine)
    • One must be a research seminar in which the student completes a substantial writing project, and earns an A- or better.
    • One must involve historical study of the period before 1850.

  2. Application no later than the junior year, and completion of all requirements in four years.

View all University of Pennsylvania Graduate Rules and Regulations