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
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 | 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 | ||
| Philosophical Aspects of Education Policy | ||
| American Education Reform: History, Policy, Practice | ||
| Sociology of Education | ||
| Public Economics | ||
| The Politics of Policymaking in K-12 Education | ||
| Economics of Education | ||
| The Social Organization of Schooling | ||
| Required Methods Courses | 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) | ||
| *Note that this could count as your distribution requirement no. 6 (only if you receive a "B" or better within the course) | ||
| Select one of the following required courses within Spring: | ||
| Methods of Economic Evaluation in Education | ||
| Applied Policy Analysis | ||
| *Note that you can take both of these classes and one can count in Section 3 or Section 5. | ||
| Education Policy Core Courses | 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. | ||
| Economics of Education in Lower Middle Income Countries | ||
| Global Governance and Cooperation: International Education Policy and Practice | ||
| Applied Research Methods to Inform Policy and Practice | ||
| Public Communications in Education: Challenges and Strategies | ||
| Education Finance Policy | ||
| Education Policy Issues | ||
| Teachers and Teaching Policy | ||
| Education Policy Research Practicum (fulfills MSEd Capstone Requirement) 1 | 1 | |
| (Fulfills M.S.Ed. Capstone Requirement): | ||
| Education Policy Research Practicum | ||
| The Intersection of Leadership Theory and Practice | ||
| Expanding Civic Opportunities for Youth (Practicum) | ||
| Elective Courses | 2 | |
| Select 2 electives (These are recommendations, but you can select others) 3 | ||
| International Early Childhood Policies and Programs | ||
| Policy Planning in International Educational Development: Theory and Practice | ||
| Economics of Education in Lower Middle Income Countries | ||
| Politics of School Reform | ||
| School and Society in America | ||
| Principles of Monitoring & Evaluation in International Education Development | ||
| Risk, Resilience, and Prevention Science | ||
| Distribution Requirement 2 | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
Required Milestones:
Comprehensive Examination (or Portfolio or Thesis)
Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by passing a comprehensive examination 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. Comprehensive formats vary.
- 1
To meet the Capstone requirement, students must earn a grade of “B” or better in this course. You can take 2 and count one of them as an elective.
- 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).
- 3
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.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.