Graduate Resource Guide Academic Policies and Support
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Students should familiarize themselves with the policies and handbooks set forth in the Pennbook, as well as the policies and rules of their schools and academic programs. Links to these policies and rules can be found on the Provost's website and Office of the Vice Provost for Education.
Most academic policies and procedures at Penn are school-based. University policies are also often administered through your specific school. Students should consult with their school or graduate group with questions or for help in understanding academic policies and procedures.
Code of Academic Integrity requires that every member of the University community adhere to the principles and spirit of the code.
Educational Policies and Publications relevant to graduate education, including Rules and Regulations, the Pennbook, Ethics and Original Research Guidelines, and the manual of Graduate Supervision, are important reading for all graduate students.
Course Registration can be completed during the summer after your school provides you with information on course registration.
Penn offers a wide variety of resources, offices, and programs for graduate students to support them in all aspects of their Penn experience. The following list highlights some of the most commonly used resources and areas of interest relating to academics and educational opportunities.
Graduate Center Programs and Resources
University Resources
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Doctoral Dissertation Formatting Guide and Formatting Template
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Graduate Group Review Student Feedback Form
Graduate Groups are periodically reviewed by the Graduate Council of the Faculties (GCF) in order to identify strengths and weaknesses within each program, and to recommend any changes that may help to improve the Graduate Group. This feedback form is intended to solicit general information and impressions about your graduate school experiences to share with GCF. If there is a specific incident you would like to report, please use the University’s Bias Incident Reporting Form. Additional reporting resources and information can be found here. -
The University Catalog provides detailed information for current and prospective students about all academic programs at Penn as well as important policies and resources. It also provides information about courses at all levels of study.
Campus Centers and Initiatives
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Career Services provides support and resources to assist PhD and master's degree students with career exploration and planning at any time during their academic programs.
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Center for Teaching and Learning is available to graduate students interested in improving as teachers, whether they are working as TAs or preparing to become future faculty.
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Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships serves as the information hub and primary support office for Penn students considering applying for major grants and fellowships such as the Fulbright and Soros.
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Communication Within the Curriculum supports student speaking as means of both communicating and learning.
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Critical Writing Program provides writing and advising to all students enrolled in credit-bearing courses at Penn.
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English Language Programs provides courses in English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) and orientation to life in the United States.
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Global Activities Registry is Penn’s central resource for collecting information about the travel plans and activities of faculty, staff, and students preparing to travel abroad for academic, educational, extracurricular, clinical, research, or University business purposes.
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International Student & Scholar Services advises international students on F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrant procedures and compliance with immigration laws and regulations.
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Office of the Vice Provost for Research provides services to researchers and coordinates a number of research related offices.
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Penn Libraries comprise over seven million volumes, one million of which are in electronic form, over 33,000 videos, four million microforms, more than 100,000 e-journals, and over 1,300 online databases and indexes accessed from the online catalog. They provide a wide range of support for graduate and professional students.
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University Life enhances students' ability to reach their fullest potential through diverse academic, personal, and professional development experiences in support of the Penn compact.
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The Weingarten Center provides a wide range of academic support programming and professional consultation services in university-relevant skills such as reading, writing, study strategies, and time management.
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The Weingarten Center's Disabilities Services staff work closely with students who self-identify with disabilities in order to ensure equal academic opportunities and access to all University programs, activities and services.
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Weigle Information Commons (WIC) supports students at the individual and course level. Students can receive assistance with writing, speaking, and study skills at WIC, in addition to learning software and hardware through workshops and online tutorials. High-tech study spaces, equipment, and specialized printers are available as well.
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Weiss Tech House is designed to support students in the development and/or commercialization of innovative technologies.
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Wellness at Penn Initiative provides support, resources, and practical tools for wellness across the Penn community. The initiative offers a range of opportunities to reflect and engage on issues of wellness, stress, mental health, resilience, happiness, personal and academic goals, and the meaning of success. See additional wellness resources at gsc.upenn.edu/resources/wellness
The Graduate Student Center is here to help you navigate the many resources at the University. Any graduate or professional student experiencing an issue or unsure where to turn can contact us for guidance or request an appointment to meet with us.
The University's HELP Line 215-898-HELP (4357) is a 24-hour-a-day phone number for members of the Penn community who are seeking time sensitive help in navigating Penn’s resources for health and wellness.
