Wharton Degree Abbreviations (Acronym Guide)
Wharton’s credentials depend on the level of study: undergraduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics, MBA students earn a Master of Business Administration, and doctoral students earn a Doctor of Philosophy. “Wharton” names the school, while “EMBA” usually names a program format. For applications and résumés, use the degree wording supported by your official academic record.
A quick joke before the acronyms: if every school name were a degree, your diploma might need its own table of contents. The useful distinction is simpler: a school, a program, a degree, and a concentration are related, but they do not mean the same thing.
I often see people search for “a Wharton degree” when they need the exact credential name for an application or résumé. Below is a practical guide to the common abbreviations, what they refer to, and how to check the wording for a specific program.
Wharton programs and degree abbreviations: what each credential means
A degree abbreviation is a short form of the academic award a university grants. At Wharton, the abbreviation changes with the study level. The key terms are BS, MBA, and PhD. “Wharton” identifies the University of Pennsylvania school, and “EMBA” commonly describes a program format rather than a separate degree.
| Study level or program | Degree name | Common abbreviation | What the wording means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science in Economics | BS in Economics | A University of Pennsylvania undergraduate degree associated with Wharton |
| Full-time graduate business program | Master of Business Administration | MBA | A graduate degree offered through Wharton |
| Executive MBA program | Master of Business Administration | MBA; EMBA often describes the program | An MBA program designed for experienced professionals |
| Doctoral study | Doctor of Philosophy | PhD | A research degree; name the field or program as Wharton lists it |
“BS” means Bachelor of Science. “MBA” means Master of Business Administration. “PhD” means Doctor of Philosophy. These short forms identify the kind of award, not every detail of a student’s program.
The undergraduate degree: BS in Economics
Wharton undergraduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics. “BS in Economics” is a clear short form. Wharton is the school at Penn where the student studies; it is not a separate bachelor’s degree title.
A student may also complete a concentration. A concentration is a focused area of study within a program. It does not replace the degree name. If you are writing a résumé, list a concentration only if it appears in your academic record or is otherwise confirmed by Penn.
The MBA and Executive MBA
The formal degree for Wharton’s full-time MBA program is a Master of Business Administration, usually written as MBA. “Wharton MBA” is common wording that identifies the school and degree together. It does not name a different kind of MBA credential.
Wharton’s Executive MBA program also awards an MBA. “EMBA” is commonly used to identify the executive program, but do not assume it is the formal degree title. Use the wording on the official record, especially on applications or forms that ask for the exact degree earned.
The doctoral degree: PhD
Wharton doctoral students earn a Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated PhD. People may use phrases such as “PhD in Management” in conversation, but the specific field or program should match Wharton’s current wording and the student’s record.
Do not treat “PhD” as a complete program name when a form asks for the field of study. Check the relevant Wharton doctoral program page or academic record, then enter the field as shown there.
Degree, school, program, and concentration: how the terms differ
These words describe different parts of a student’s academic path. The degree is the award; the school is the academic unit; the program is the course of study; and a concentration is a focused area within a program. Keeping these labels separate helps you describe your education accurately.
| Term | Plain meaning | Example of careful wording |
|---|---|---|
| School | The academic unit where a student studies | “Wharton, University of Pennsylvania” |
| Degree | The formal academic award | “Bachelor of Science in Economics” |
| Program | A defined course of study or format | “Executive MBA program” |
| Concentration | A focused area within a degree program | Add it only when it is accurate and supported |
| Abbreviation | A shortened form of a name | “MBA” for Master of Business Administration |
A common mix-up is to call the undergraduate award a “Wharton degree.” That phrase may be understood informally, but it does not give the precise degree title. For formal use, name the award and institution. Add the school or concentration as a separate detail if it fits the form.
Another frequent mix-up is treating “EMBA” as a distinct degree. It is useful shorthand for an executive MBA program, but the degree awarded is an MBA. If a form offers only a degree field, “MBA” is generally the relevant term; if it asks for program format, “Executive MBA” may be useful.
How to verify the official wording and requirements
Official wording is the safest guide for both degree names and program details. Check the current Wharton or Penn page for the exact program, then compare it with application instructions and, for graduates, the transcript or diploma. Do not use one program’s requirements to describe another program.
Use this check in order:
- Identify the study level. Decide whether you mean undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, or doctoral study.
- Find the exact program page. Use a current page from Wharton or the University of Pennsylvania, not an old third-party acronym list.
- Separate the award from the format. For example, an Executive MBA is a program; the award is an MBA.
- Check the record or application field. If you have already completed the program, follow the wording on your transcript or diploma. If you are applying, follow the application’s own labels.
- Verify current admissions rules separately. Requirements can differ by program and application cycle. There is no universal GPA or test-score cutoff encoded in BS, MBA, EMBA, or PhD.
The last point matters. An abbreviation tells you what a degree or program is called. It does not tell you who is eligible, what tests are required, or how a student completes the program. Confirm those details on the relevant current program page.
Accreditation is not a degree abbreviation
Accreditation is a review of an institution or program by an outside accrediting body. It is separate from the name of a degree. The University of Pennsylvania is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and Wharton holds AACSB business accreditation.
These names do not change the credential abbreviation. For example, accreditation does not turn an MBA into an EMBA or make “Wharton” the formal name of an undergraduate award. If you are asked about accreditation, answer that question separately from the degree-name field.
Accreditation details can matter when an employer, school, or agency asks about an institution’s status. For a current confirmation, check the accreditor’s listing and Penn or Wharton’s official information. Do not infer a degree title from an accreditation label.
Examples: choosing the right wording in common situations
These examples are illustrative, not personal student records. They show how to choose a precise label when a form, résumé, or conversation uses broad language. If your own record uses different wording, follow your record or ask the registrar or program office.
Scenario 1: An undergraduate lists education on a résumé.
Use “Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of Pennsylvania.” “Wharton” may be added as the school, where accurate. Add a concentration only if it is confirmed.
Scenario 2: An applicant asks whether an Executive MBA is a different degree.
Explain that Wharton’s Executive MBA program awards an MBA. “EMBA” is widely used for the program format, but the formal award should be checked on the official record.
Scenario 3: A doctoral applicant fills in a field-of-study box.
Enter the specific doctoral program or field using Wharton’s current wording. “PhD” names the degree type, but may not fully answer a question about the field.
Scenario 4: A form asks for “degree,” “school,” and “major” separately.
Do not put “Wharton” in every box. Enter the degree in the degree field, the University of Pennsylvania or Wharton in the appropriate school field, and the accurate academic field or concentration where requested.
These distinctions reduce the risk of mismatches during admissions review, employment screening, or background checks. When unsure, do not guess at a more specific title. Confirm the official wording first.
How to write a Wharton credential accurately
A clear credential entry names the degree, institution, and any relevant program or concentration without merging them into one label. Use the official record as your source. This simple order works for most résumés and application forms, though each form may ask for information in a different way.
- Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Economics, University of Pennsylvania; add Wharton or a concentration only where accurate.
- MBA: Master of Business Administration, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton).
- Executive MBA: Master of Business Administration, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton Executive MBA program), if the format is relevant and supported.
- Doctoral study: Doctor of Philosophy, followed by the specific field or program as listed by Wharton.
For a degree in progress, label it as expected or in progress rather than implying it has been awarded. For a program you have not completed, do not list the credential as earned. These small wording choices keep a school, program, and completed degree distinct.
Frequently asked questions
These answers address the most common questions about Wharton degree names and abbreviations. They focus on what the labels mean and how to use them, not on admissions decisions. Program rules and application wording can change, so check the current official page when a detail matters.
Is “Wharton” the name of an undergraduate degree?
No. Wharton is a school at the University of Pennsylvania. Wharton undergraduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
What is the correct abbreviation for Wharton’s undergraduate degree?
“BS in Economics” is a clear abbreviation for Bachelor of Science in Economics. Use the full wording when a form asks for the degree’s complete name.
Does Wharton award an MBA or an EMBA?
Wharton’s full-time MBA and Executive MBA programs award an MBA. “EMBA” commonly describes the executive program format, not a separate formal degree title.
Is “Wharton MBA” a different credential from an MBA?
No. “Wharton MBA” names the school and degree together. The degree is a Master of Business Administration.
What degree do Wharton doctoral students earn?
Wharton doctoral students earn a Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD. The specific field or program should be written as Wharton lists it.
Can I put “Wharton degree” on a résumé?
You can use “Wharton” to identify the school, but it is clearer to list the actual degree too. Use the wording supported by your academic record.
Is a concentration the same as a degree?
No. A concentration is a focused area within a program. It does not replace the degree name, and you should list it only when it is accurate.
Does accreditation change the degree abbreviation?
No. Accreditation and degree names are separate. Penn’s institutional accreditation and Wharton’s AACSB accreditation do not change the BS, MBA, or PhD titles.
Does an abbreviation tell me the admissions requirements?
No. Degree abbreviations do not set GPA, test, or other admissions rules. Check the current requirements for the exact Wharton program and application cycle.
Which wording should I use if my transcript differs from a website?
For a completed degree, follow your official academic record when reporting what you earned. If a form’s options do not match, ask the school or organization requesting the information.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Alan Westbrook. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
