International Educational Development
M.S.Ed.
Political and economic shifts in the relationship between international organizations, states, civil society and markets worldwide have had a significant impact on educational purposes, policies and practice across national contexts. Working in the field of educational development in the 21st century requires analysts to consider the complex interrelationships between local and global political, economic and cultural dynamics and implications for the viability of both public and private educational initiatives.
The International Educational Development M.S.Ed degree program is designed to meet this challenge by providing students with a set of distinctive skills and dispositions required for working in the field of education and development in the era of globalization.
The program will provide students with:
- A foundational knowledge of the history of international development institutions, their efforts as well as key theoretical frameworks in the field;
- A disposition and ability to understand issues of educational policy and practice from a comparative perspective as well as within historically specific cultural contexts;
- Enhanced understanding of the interplay of local, national and international politics, policies and priorities in the dynamics of educational change;
- Quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation skills necessary for examining educational issues and assessing the value and contribution of programs and projects cross-culturally;
- Preparation for reading critically and communicating evidence-based knowledge persuasively to different stakeholders for distinctive purposes.
Applicants are expected to have at least two years work experience or its equivalent and to have spent some time in a culture other than their own or studying a language and culture of another nation. Students are encouraged to concentrate on developing a deeper appreciation of a particular region and possibly study a relevant language while they are at Penn.
The university has made it a priority to support efforts to enrich Penn’s programming and engagement in international work. In addition to the four National Resource Centers on campus—African Studies, East Asian Studies, Middle East Studies, and South Asia Studies—a significant proportion of GSE’s faculty have long-term experience in studying educational processes in other parts of the world. There are strong international dimensions to many schools at Penn and students in the program are encouraged to access courses across the University.
Program of Study
The degree requires a minimum of 10 course units of approved graduate work beyond the baccalaureate degree. The degree can be completed in one year (two semesters and a summer session) or part-time across two years. Completion of the degree will require students to conduct a substantial and critical review the research literature addressing a particular educational issue within one geographic area and write a report on this case to inform policy deliberations on this issue.
Required Courses:
EDUC 545 International Educational Development Proseminar
Foundational Courses (3 required):
EDUC 514 Basic Education in Developing Countries
EDUC 547 Anthropology and Education
EDUC 601 Economic Aspects of Education Policy
EDUC 611 Language Diversity and Education
Research Methods Courses:
EDUC 545 Qualitative Modes of Inquiry
EDUC 667 Introductions to Statistics
One Distribution course
Two Area Studies courses
Two Elective courses
To view GSE course offerings, click here.
Program Faculty
Yuko Goto Butler, Ph.D., Stanford University
Kathleen Hall, Ph.D., University of Chicago
Nancy H. Hornberger, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
Kathryn M. Howard, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Alan Ruby, Associate, University of London
Daniel A. Wagner, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Program Contact
Corrie Tice, Administrative Assistant
Education, Culture & Society Division
University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
3700 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6216
Phone: 215-898-5690
Email: corriet@gse.upenn.edu