Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education, EdD
The Ed.D. in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education program has a strong commitment to educational practice and preparing scholar-practitioners. The program is designed to draw together course work, research apprenticeship, and other professional academic activities to build a complete professional program that is tailored to students’ interests and needs. Students devise an individualized program of study based on their research interests and in consultation with their advisor. Graduates serve as researchers and teacher educators in universities and colleges, curriculum developers and evaluators in educational agencies, curriculum specialists in school districts and state departments of education, and instructional leaders and classroom teachers in K-12 schools.
For more information: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/programs/teaching-learning-teacher-education-edd
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
The program requires a minimum of 15 course units beyond the master's degree.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptualization/Content Strand | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 9126 | How People Learn: Theoretical Foundations | 1 |
| EDUC 7132 | Doctoral Proseminar on Education Research | 1 |
| EDUC 7140 | Social Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 1 |
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation 3 | 3 |
| Select 1 course in Teacher Learning or Teacher Education such as: 1 | 1 | |
| Building a Better Teacher | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select a minimum of 3 electives 2 | 3 | |
| Investigation/Inquiry Strand | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 7460 | Qualitative Research: Concepts, Methods and Design | 1 |
| EDUC 7667 | Regression and Analysis of Variance | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 electives | 3 | |
| Total Course Units | 15 | |
- 1
Chosen in consultation with the advisor.
- 2
Electives may be taken outside of GSE with advisor approval. Electives must be 5000 level and above.
- 3
Attempted each term after completing coursework to finish EdD milestones. Students will earn 3 CU's in the term they upload their dissertation and complete all requirements for the degree. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Required Milestones
Qualifications Evaluation (Also known as Program Candidacy)
The purpose of program candidacy is to provide rigorous review and feedback to Ed.D. students regarding their academic progress within the first two years of study. Program candidacy is a prerequisite to doctoral candidacy.
Preliminary Examinations (Also known as Doctoral Candidacy)
The preliminary examination is a test of knowledge in the candidate’s area of specialization. The examination requires students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as specified by the academic division. The format of the examination varies from program to program, but must include at least six hours of examination, at least three hours of which must be written.
Oral Proposal
All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in person to the dissertation committee.
Final Defense of the Dissertation
The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation.
Required Milestones:
Qualifications Evaluation (Also known as Program Candidacy)
The purpose of program candidacy is to provide rigorous review and feedback to Ed.D. students regarding their academic progress within the first two years of study. Program candidacy is a prerequisite to doctoral candidacy.
Preliminary Examinations (Also known as Doctoral Candidacy)
The preliminary examination is a test of knowledge in the candidate’s area of specialization. The examination requires students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as specified by the academic division. The format of the examination varies from program to program, but must include at least six hours of examination, at least three hours of which must be written.
Oral Proposal
All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in person to the dissertation committee.
Final Defense of the Dissertation
The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation.
Dissertation Supervision Registration
For students registered after the sixth semester of the program, registration for consecutive semesters is required in the form of dissertation supervision (EDUC 9950). Applicable Penn tuition and fees will apply.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| EDUC 9126 | How People Learn: Theoretical Foundations | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Methods Course | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 7140 | Social Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 1 |
| EDUC 7119 or EDUC 6165 | Building a Better Teacher or Research on Teaching | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 7460 | Qualitative Research: Concepts, Methods and Design | 1 |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation | Attempting 3 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation | Attempting 3 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation | Attempting 3 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 9950 | Dissertation | 3 |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 15.00 | |