Joint Degrees and Certificates

The Annenberg School for Communication offers its doctoral students a number of opportunities to customize their education by adding on additional degrees or certificates, including the Joint Degree in Communication and Political Science. 

Joint Degree in Communication and Political Science

The University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication and Political Science Department of the School of Arts and Sciences offer a joint doctoral degree in Communication and Political Science.

This combines the academic resources of Penn’s two well-respected schools, and provides an opportunity for advanced study by students who are interested in both fields. The degree can be satisfied with a single dissertation by the student. 

Learn More About the Joint Degree

Certificates

The Annenberg School curriculum allows for as many as six courses to be taken outside of the Annenberg School. With these courses, some of our students choose to pursue certificates in the following disciplines, which are listed with their certificates' course requirements:

• Africana Studies (5 courses and 1 seminar) 
• Cinema Studies (4 seminars, a paper, 2 workshops, and 6 colloquia) 
• Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN) (4 courses) 
• Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies (5 courses and a paper) 
• Urban Studies (4 courses, 1 independent study, and 1 seminar)  

Teaching Certificate

Students can also earn a Teaching Certificate by taking part in a series of workshops and formal conversations about teaching and reflecting on their own teaching with a fellow from the Center for Teaching and Learning who has observed them in the classroom. The certificate contains four components:

1. Pedagogical Discussions and Training 
2. Teaching Experience 
3. Observation and Review  
4. Teaching Philosophy

Learn More About the Teaching Certificate

Individualized Dual Degree Opportunities

The Annenberg School prides itself on being flexible and interdisciplinary, offering students a chance to design their own course of study and pursue their unique academic interests. In fields where we may not offer official dual degree programs, several of our doctoral students have arranged for their own dual degree opportunities with other schools at Penn, including Penn Carey Law School and the School of Social Policy and Practice.

These students need to gain admission to both programs and then arrange special permission with both programs. Please contact Rachel Pepper for more information.