Individualized Major, MBA

You may find that your course choices do not fit within the standard majors at Wharton. In this case you may plan an individualized major as an alternative to the existing majors. Wharton offers this option for students who have specific, carefully determined interdisciplinary interests and wish to acquire depth in an area not adequately covered by any of the existing majors. To pursue an individualized major, you must propose a theme, course plan, and title for the major and describe how the proposed courses address the theme. You should submit this proposal on an Individualized Major Request form to a faculty member for approval. Completed forms should be submitted to the MBA Program Office in 300 Jon M. Huntsman Hall for final approval. When possible, this form should be submitted toward the end of the third semester in the MBA Program.

The following rules apply to individualized majors:

1. An individualized major must be a sole major; it may not be pursued in conjunction with an existing major.
2. The title of the individualized major must not sound like “general management” or like an existing major or combination of existing majors.
3. Your proposal for the individualized major must be approved by a faculty member in the relevant field and an administrator in the MBA Program Office.

For more information: https://mba-inside.wharton.upenn.edu/individualized-major/

Curriculum

A minimum of 19 course units is required for graduation.

Only one (1) CU of pass/fail coursework can be counted toward the major.

MBA Core Requirements

¹

Students cannot enroll in both FNCE 6210 and FNCE 6230.

²

STAT 6210 is by placement only.

³

Enrollment in WHCP 6180 requires pre-approval.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

The Global Experience Concentration facilitates MBA student participation in a study abroad program. Students must complete two full credit units in an approved International Exchange Program at the partner university’s location. In addition, students must take one full credit unit of internationally focused MBA electives to satisfy the concentration requirement.  

Curriculum

Students must complete two full credit units in an approved International Exchange Program at the partner university’s location. Approved International Exchange Programs include:

• Australia – AGSM, Sydney
• Brazil – COPPEAD, Rio de Janeiro
• Chile – Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Santiago
• China – CEIBS, Shanghai
• China – Peking University, Beijing
• France – HEC/ISA, Paris
• France – INSEAD, Fontainebleau
• Hong Kong – HKUST, Kowloon
• India – ISB, Hyderabad
• Israel – IDC, Herzliya
• Israel – Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv
• Italy – SDA Bocconi, Milan
• Japan – Keio University, Tokyo
• Netherlands – RSM, Rotterdam
• Philippines – AIM, Makati City
• Singapore – INSEAD, Singapore
• Spain – IESE, Barcelona
• Sweden – Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm
• Thailand – Sasin, Bangkok
• United Kingdom – LBS, London

In addition to two full credit units taken in an approved study-abroad program, students must take one full credit unit of internationally focused MBA electives to satisfy the concentration requirement. The electives should be selected from the list below and cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis.

¹

Global Modular Courses (0.5 CU) offered in a foreign location also count.

Other courses with substantive international content may be counted upon approval of the concentration adviser.

Concentration advisor: Alyssa Swanson