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SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Design the degree of your dreams in Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts 

Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts (MPhil) is an advanced interdisciplinary graduate degree that you can customize to meet your academic goals—whether you want to explore new topics, develop your passion projects, or prepare for a PhD. Ideal for students and professionals who have already completed a master’s degree, the MPhil degree requires five courses and an independent study that forms the basis of your final research paper or creative project. MPhil students value the flexibility of the program as well as the opportunity to make the most of what Penn has to offer.

Hand-pick courses that interest you from across the University

Denise Dahlhoff (MPhil `10) already held a PhD in marketing and an established career in marketing-related consulting and academia when she began looking for her next academic challenge. “I specifically wanted to study something that had nothing to do with my day job,” she says. “I took a variety of courses that initially didn’t seem to have a connection—but they actually did, in the end,” she reflects. Drawing from courses in ethnography, urban culture, digital media’s social impact, and social psychology, she developed a well-rounded study of public spaces in Philadelphia. 

“The MPhil is one of the only programs I know that encourages you to take any graduate class you want, to blend knowledge, and do something nobody has done yet,” adds Chris Mustazza (MPhil `15), whose research focused on the intersection of digital technology and poetry. 

Benefit from world-class faculty instruction and advising

Jonathan Broder (MPhil `19), chief legal officer and vice-president of corporate development for a regional railroad company, pursued advanced interdisciplinary study in order to write a corporate history of his organization. The MPhil not only connected him with historians and industry experts, but provided him with the structure to focus his research. “My advisors have been helpful in keeping me on track but also giving me the breathing space I need to do this right—because I didn’t want to do it halfway,” he says.

“Penn is its people,” reflects Andie Tursi (MPhil `19), who enrolled in the program to take graduate-level writing courses. “I was not expecting to be able to take classes with Penn’s top faculty, who are some of the most brilliant minds I’ve ever encountered, and classmates from every part of the country and different parts of the world. But you’re really part of the world of Penn when you’re in one of these programs.”

Complete the program on a full- or part-time basis with courses that fit your schedule 

“Taking one or two classes at a time, I was able to keep my job and even advance my career,” says Chris, who now oversees technology for all academic departments in Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences.

Andie agrees: she was transitioning from the finance sector into a professional writing career when she began her studies, so a flexible schedule with evening and online classes was critical. “When you have a full-time job, finding time to write is always a challenge,” she adds. “The MPhil provides structure and deadlines for your work—and the guidance of someone who's done it before and believes that you can do it too.”

Interested in making the most of what Penn has to offer? Contact our program director, Dr. Christopher Pastore, to schedule an appointment to review your current research and explore your options for pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts at Penn. 

(215) 898-7326
lps@sas.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/mla-mphil