A Brief History of Research Degrees at the University of Pennsylvania

In October 1973, the Trustees merged the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences into a new academic division of instruction known as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In May 1974, the Trustees amended the Statutes of the University to provide for the new Faculty of Arts and Sciences. One month later, the Trustees further emphasized the significance of graduate education at Penn by confirming the establishment of a new staff position in the Office of the Provost to be known as the Vice-Provost for Graduate Studies and Research.

In November 1976, the Provost and the Faculty Senate came to an agreement that the three research degrees [of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Arts (A.M.) and Master of Science (M.S.)] are University-wide degrees requiring University-wide standards. The Provost and the Faculty Senate therefore jointly approved the establishment of the "Graduate Council of the Faculties" to serve as the chief advisory body to the Provost on the oversight of graduate education at Penn. The Vice-Provost for Graduate Studies and Research was the named Chair of the Graduate Council.

Beginning in 1977 and continuing to the present time, the Graduate Council of the Faculties, acting through its Chair, has served the central administrative function of certifying candidates to the Trustees for the award of Ph.D., A.M., and M.S. degrees.

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