Education Policy, MSEd
The M.S.Ed. in Education Policy equips students with the knowledge and methodological tools to understand, evaluate, and implement programs and policies that impact students and communities across the country and around the world. Our graduates go on to take leading roles in such organizations as school districts, federal and state departments of education, education policy research institutes, and education-related non-profit organizations.
For more information: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/programs/education-policy-masters
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
M.S.Ed. students in Education Policy must complete 10 course units, in accordance with the curriculum outlined below, including the Education Policy Research Practicum (which fulfills the Comprehensive Examination requirement) and the Distribution Requirement. All degree candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by completing the Education Policy Research Practicum. The Practicum serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review, integrate, and apply what they have learned over the course of their degree.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Disciplinary Foundations Course (1) | 2 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| If you take more than 2 classes from this list, you can count the third, fourth (etc.) as an elective in Section 5 | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| The Politics of Policymaking in K-12 Education | ||
| Economics of Education | ||
| The Social Organization of Schooling | ||
| Required Methods Courses (2) | 2 | |
| Introductory Statistics for Educational Research (note: since this course is within GSE and outside of EDPL, it can also count as your distribution course as long as you receive a B or higher within the course) | ||
| *Students with previous stats course experience can replace 6667 with 7665 with director approval. To do so, please email M. Gottfried and Nakia Gard with a transcript PDF that shows your previous coursework in statistics. A grade of B or better is required in all prior statistics courses for this approval. | ||
| Select one of the following required courses within Spring: | ||
| Methods of Economic Evaluation in Education | ||
| Does Education Policy Work? | ||
| *Note that you can take both of these classes and one can count in Section 3 or Section 5. | ||
| Education Policy Core Courses (3) | 3 | |
| Select three of the following: | ||
| *If you take more than 3 classes from this list, you can count the fourth (etc.) class as an elective. | ||
| Research Foundations in Education Policy | ||
| Software Skills for Policy Analysis and Reporting | ||
| Applied Research Methods to Inform Policy and Practice | ||
| Education Policy Foundations | ||
| Dimensions and Drivers of Educational Inequalities | ||
| Education Policy Issues | ||
| Education Policy Research Practicum (fulfills MSEd Capstone Requirement) (4) | 1 | |
| (Fulfills M.S.Ed. Capstone Requirement): | ||
| Education Policy Research Practicum | ||
| Elective Courses (5) Which includes your distribution | 2 | |
Distribution Requirement 2 | ||
| Select 2 electives (These are recommendations, but you can select others) 1 | ||
| Economic Perspectives on Higher Education Policy | ||
| Assessing Research Quality in Education Policy | ||
| Teachers and Teaching Policy | ||
| The Intersection of Leadership Theory and Practice | ||
| Expanding Civic Opportunities for Youth (Practicum) | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
Required Milestones:
Capstone Requirement
Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by completing a capstone project in their area of study. The examination/portfolio/thesis serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review and integrate what they have learned in their coursework and fieldwork. Capstone requirement is met through the EDPL Research Practicum requirement.
- 1
One of the elective courses must fulfill the distribution requirement unless the distribution requirement is fulfilled through one of the above courses. Beyond the required distribution course, elective courses may be taken at any school at Penn. Additional courses taken in #1, #2(b and c), #3 and #4 can qualify as elective courses as long as they are not counting for category requirements. Courses must be at the 5000 level or above and taken for a letter grade (no pass/fail). Students must consult their faculty advisor before enrolling in any course outside of the Graduate School of Education.
- 2
Candidates for the M.S.Ed. degree must demonstrate knowledge of the field of education beyond the area of specialization. This requirement is met by satisfying the distribution requirement. To meet the distribution requirement, students must complete one approved graduate level (5000 and above) GSE course outside the student’s area of specialization, earning a grade of “B” or better. Students should check with their program manager for a list of courses approved to fulfill the distribution requirement (EDUC 6667 being one of them).
Fall Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| Category 1 Courses | 2 | |
| Category 2 Course | 1 | |
| Category 3 Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Category 2 Course | 1 | |
| Category 3 Courses | 2 | |
| Category 4 Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| Category 5 Courses | 2 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
Summer Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| Category 3 Courses (Summer Institute Courses) | 2 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| Category 1 Courses | 2 | |
| Category 2 Course | 1 | |
| Category 5 Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Category 2 Course | 1 | |
| Category 3 Course | 1 | |
| Category 4 Course | 1 | |
| Category 5 Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
Accelerated (two-term)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| Category 1 Courses | 2 | |
| Category 2 Course | 1 | |
| Category 3 Course | 1 | |
| Category 5 Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Category 2 Course | 1 | |
| Category 3 Courses | 2 | |
| Category 4 Course | 1 | |
| Category 5 Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
Education Policy and Education, Culture, and Society
Students wishing to complete a double major in Education Policy and Education, Culture and Society must complete all requirements for each major. These majors are structured to allow for overlap.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| EDUC 5490 | School and Society in America | 1 |
| EDUC 6667 | Introductory Statistics for Educational Research | 1 |
| EDPL/EDCS Disciplinary Foundations | 2 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 6720 or EDUC 6739 |
Methods of Economic Evaluation in Education or Does Education Policy Work? |
1 |
| EDPL Core | 2 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 6490 | Master's Seminar in Education, Culture, and Society | 0.5 |
| EDPL Core | 1 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Course Units | 3.50 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 6490 | Master's Seminar in Education, Culture, and Society | 0.5 |
| EDPL Research Practicum | 1 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Course Units | 3.50 | |
| Total Course Units | 14.00 | |