Lauder Institute

The Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies (The Lauder Institute) offers a joint degree program at the University of Pennsylvania, combining an MA in international studies from the School of Arts and Sciences with a MBA from The Wharton School or JD from the Penn Carey Law School.

In the program, students pursue one of six programs of concentration focused on five regional areas: Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, or South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, or the Global Program. Within the regional programs of concentration over a 24-month period, students work to attain superior language proficiency in one of 11 languages: Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish.

Each year 60–70 students from around the world join the Lauder Program in May starting in Philadelphia before departing on a 5-week summer immersion to their respective regions of study. Students return to campus in August to join the MBA or JD program and then graduate with their class two years later. In the most recent incoming class, 42% of the class were US Citizens and 42% were international and 17% dual citizens.

History
The Lauder Institute was founded in 1983 by Leonard A. Lauder and Ronald S. Lauder in memory of their father, Joseph Lauder. The goal of the Institute was to help create internationally-minded business leaders through its focus on international studies and its joint-degree structure with the Wharton MBA.

The Wharton Lauder MBA/MA Program
The Wharton Lauder MBA/MA program is a prestigious joint-degree offering that uniquely combines the robust business education of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with an intensive study of international studies from the School of Arts and Sciences. Aimed at developing global leaders, the program equips students with the critical business acumen, deep knowledge of international affairs, and advanced language skills necessary for navigating the complexities of global markets.

Students enrolled in this rigorous program undertake a curriculum that includes core MBA courses, specialized international studies coursework, and advanced language training. The experience is further enriched by international immersions, designed to provide firsthand exposure to global business practices and cultures. Additionally, the program culminates in a master's thesis project, known as the capstone.

The admissions process for the Wharton Lauder MBA program is notably competitive, seeking candidates who demonstrate not only academic excellence and professional achievements but also a profound commitment to global leadership and cross-cultural understanding. Prospective students must submit a comprehensive application that includes GMAT or GRE scores, TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) scores (if applicable), academic transcripts, professional recommendations, essays, and a detailed account of their international experience. Furthermore, applicants are required to display proficiency in at least one language other than English and participate in a rigorous interview process, which assesses their commitment to the program's values and objectives. Successful candidates are those who exemplify the unique blend of leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for global engagement that the program aims to foster.

The Penn Carey Lauder JD/MA Program
Penn Carey Lauder JD/MA program applicants may apply either 1) to Penn Carey Law and Lauder prior to being accepted at either, or 2) during the fall of their first year at Penn Carey Law, with the intention to begin the Lauder program in May of that year. Penn Carey Law and the Lauder Institute make independent judgments about each candidate. Penn Carey Lauder JD/MA students share an interdisciplinary approach with international studies from the School of Arts and Sciences and an expanded network with the Wharton Lauder MBA/MA business students and alumni they graduate with.

This joint-degree offers strong language training, intercultural learning, and immersive experiences abroad. Plus, the JD/MA adds no additional time to degree to the regular JD program.