International Educational Development, MSEd

The M.S.Ed. in International Educational Development program (IEDP) prepares students with distinctive skills required to address social, political and economic concerns in the world's most marginalized communities through both academic coursework and hands-on experiences. Students draw on the program’s strong interdisciplinary foundations to develop expertise in areas such as: learning, curriculum and pedagogy, early childhood education, educational assessment, gender, human rights, language policy, literacy, migration, nonprofit management, poverty alleviation, public health, program evaluation, school climate, and technology for development. Graduates of the IEDP have an enhanced understanding of the interplay of local, national, and international politics, policies, and priorities in a world of rapid educational change, and are able to critically read and persuasively communicate evidence-based knowledge to a diverse set of stakeholders.

For more information: https://www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/programs/international-educational-development-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 

A total of 13 course units are required for the IEDP MSEd.

¹

Both quantitative and qualitative courses prepare students in the practical and theoretical implications of collecting, interpreting, analyzing and presenting data on the human condition broadly (and education/learning in particular).

²

IEDP thematic courses build on and extend the foundation built in core courses around particular, specialized areas. These should be IEDP (or related) courses that prepare students for professional paths in international education. With faculty advisor approval, offerings from outside the program that achieve these aims may be considered.  

³

Candidates for the M.S.Ed. degree must demonstrate knowledge of the field of education beyond the area of specialization. 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 confer with their faculty advisor for further guidance.

⁴

Electives must be graduate level (5000 and above) and taken for a letter grade. Students should draw on elective courses to reflect their emerging, self-identified specialization within the field. They may be based on: region of the world (e.g. South Asia or Latin America);  discipline, topic or issue (e.g. sociology, human rights or literacy); or practical application (e.g. curriculum design or non-profit leadership).   Electives should be determined in conference with a faculty advisor so they align with the Planned Program of Study. With faculty advisor approval, electives may potentially be taken in International Educational Development (IEDP), other programs in the Graduate School of Education or from graduate programs across the University of Pennsylvania. 

⁵

Taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

⁶

All IEDP students complete a capstone through one of three pathways: Project Portfolio, Field Internship, or Research Project. The Field Internship and Research Project pathways are selective and require a separate application. Eligibility requirements and application timelines are outlined in the IEDP Handbook.