College students try two-for-one degrees

Two degrees for the price of one? The College of Arts and Sciences/School of Arts and Sciences submatriculation program allows qualified College students to make the most of Penn's hefty price tag, earning both a bachelor's and master's degree within four years. Although the majority of graduate programs require one to two years of study, submatriculating students may double-count a maximum of four courses to their B.A. and graduate degrees, thereby shaving off at least two semesters and the corresponding tuition payments. Approximately 30 students currently submatriculate in graduate-level programs, including SAS, the Graduate School of Education and the School of Dental Medicine. Although English represents the most popular SAS submatriculation program, a number of students study under graduate programs in History, Folklore, Anthropology and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Economics and Political Science are the only departments that don't offer the option. The Graduate School of Education submatriculation program is particularly impressive to students seeking teaching certification within four years, College Assistant Dean of Advising Srilata Gangulee said. Yet College Dean Robert Rescorla said the usefulness of a master's degree varies by discipline. "There are fields in which [a master's degree] is the highest degree needed; there are other fields in which it is of quite minor importance," he said, adding that he would expect individual departments to instruct potential submatriculants accordingly. History Professor Bruce Kuklick said a master's in History is "good for your soul," especially if a student is interested in secondary school teaching. "Two degrees in four years has to impress an employer," Director of Career Planning and Placement Patricia Rose said. "Submatriculation reflects ambition, determination and an ability to master a discipline." Political Science Professor Henry Teune classified the M.A. as the "fastest-growing degree" in today's society, adding that a master's is particularly attractive to international organizations and government agencies. Although submatriculation offers students a "taste of graduate-level coursework," it may detract from the undergraduate experience, English Department Chairperson Wendy Steiner said. The professional outlook and serious stance of submatriculants may negatively affect their private lives, she said. Rescorla recommended that College students gain the broadest education possible within their four years at the University. "The increased concentration [submatriculation] entails may constrain the richness of a student's liberal arts education," he added. "It was more difficult than I initially anticipated," Folklore submatriculant Holly Shere said, adding that enrolling in four graduate courses qualifies as a "whole new level" of education and that the calibre of her peers took her somewhat by surprise. Yet she said the submatriculant may have an advantage over graduate students by being familiar with the department and by already having established a rapport with the professors. "The graduate school considers you much more as a colleague, whereas undergraduates just hand over their money," Mathematics submatriculant Robert Zeithammer said. Gangulee warns prospective submatriculants to consider academic objectives and requirement standing before embarking on the complicated application process. The choice to submatriculate should be guided by a strong interest in either higher research in the selected academic field or in graduate-level professional training, she said. Prospective submatriculants should consult with a College advisor during their sophomore year and apply for submatriculation at the beginning of their junior year. Applications will not be processed after the fall term of senior year.