The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of nine colonial colleges chartered prior to the U.S. Declaration of Independence when Benjamin Franklin, the university's founder and first president, advocated for an educational institution that trained leaders in academia, commerce, and public service. Penn identifies as the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, though this representation is challenged by other universities. Benjamin Franklin and other Philadelphians established the university in 1749, which would make it the fifth-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S.
The University of Pennsylvania's Psychology Department in Philadelphia stands as a distinguished center for both pioneering research and comprehensive education within the School of Arts and Sciences. Holding the distinction of being the oldest continuously functioning psychology department in North America founded in 1887 its legacy includes the establishment of the first US psychological clinic by Lightner Witmer in 1896. Supported by a faculty recognized for significant contributions the department offers robust undergraduate and graduate programs exploring the complexities of the human mind and behavior across diverse fields such as cognitive clinical developmental and social psychology. Research is central covering areas from brain science to positive psychology often through interdisciplinary efforts. Consistently ranked among the top programs globally Penn Psychology provides a dynamic environment for rigorous study and impactful discovery.
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