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Master's Degree Requirements and Information 
 
Course Requirements<!--[endif]-->

 

  • A minimum of 10 course units is required for the master’s degree, though students may be required to take more than the minimum to complete the degree
  • A student’s advisor will assist in planning an appropriate program of study to meet degree requirements

     

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    All students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0

     

Distribution Requirement

 

  • Candidates for the M.S.Ed. degree must demonstrate knowledge of the field of education beyond the area of specialization by completing one approved graduate-level GSE course outside the academic division in which they are enrolled
  • Students must earn a grade of “B” or better to satisfy requirement

     

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    Specific courses must be approved by an advisor, and further requirements may be specified by each division

     

Time Limitation

 

  • A maximum of six consecutive years from the date of matriculation in a master’s degree program will be allowed for completion of degree requirements

  • Official leaves of absence will not automatically change this time limit

     

Comprehensive Examination (or Portfolio or Thesis)

 

  • Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of their field of specialization by passing a comprehensive examination
  • All examinations are administered in accordance with the rules set forth in the Code of Academic Integrity
  • The faculty in each specialization determines the appropriate examination format and is responsible for communicating the guidelines, expectations, rationale and evaluation criteria for examination to students
  • Students may be asked to do one or more of the following: take a timed, written examination administered at GSE, complete a take-home examination, write a master’s thesis, undertake a field project or submit a portfolio
  • Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the comprehensive examination, and a student who is unsuccessful after two tries will be withdrawn from the degree program
  • In order to qualify to take the examination, a student must first fulfill the following requirements:
    • Be formally admitted to a Penn GSE master’s degree program
    • Be registered for the semester. If coursework has been completed, or student is submitting work for previous Incompletes, student must be registered for Master’s Registration (EDUC 990) during the term in which the examination is taken
    • Have completed at least six course units, or be enrolled in at least the sixth course unit of graduate study toward the degree
    • Have received a grade for all courses taken, with no outstanding Incompletes
    • Have a GPA of 3.0 or better
    • Have paid tuition for all previous semesters
    • Register to take the master’s comprehensive examination by completing a form on the GSE website by the deadline listed in the GSE academic calendar

       

    • Satisfy any additional requirements specified by the division   

       

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Transfer of Credit

 

  • GSE does not accept courses from another university to be counted as part of a 10 course unit master’s program
  • In unusual cases, transfer credit may be accepted by the Committee on Degrees under the following circumstances:
    • The transfer credit represents course credit in excess of the minimum 10 course units required by GSE
    • If the desired course is to be taken after matriculation in a degree program at GSE, the course must be recommended for approval by the advisor, and approved by the Committee on Degrees in advance of taking the course

       

    • Transfer credit will only be granted if the grade received is a “B” or higher

       

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Advising

 

  • Each student will be assigned an academic advisor upon admission
  • The advisor will help plan the student’s program of study, assist in selecting courses, provide academic advising, and monitor academic progress
  • Advisors should contact their advisees individually in the first semester of the student’s first year before the drop/request period has concluded
  • After an initial meeting, students and advisors are mutually obligated to stay in regular contact, preferably twice a year, but always at the start of the academic year to review progress and consider alterations to the planned program of study
  • The planned program of study should be developed between the advisor and advisee in the first semester of the first year of study
  • Students should always consult the Student Handbook or the Student Records Office for the most current academic policies, procedures and deadlines for completing academic requirements

     

  • To request a change in advisor, the student should see the division coordinator

     

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Graduation
  • The GSE academic calendar lists deadlines for completing degree requirements in order to graduate in any academic term
  • All degree candidates must apply to graduate online at the beginning of the term in which they plan to receive the degree
  • Students must be registered in the term they intend to graduate, and bills must be paid in full
  • GSE holds a commencement ceremony each year in May for students who have earned degrees during the past academic year
  • Master’s students who have completed at least eight course units of a 10 course unit program, or at least 10 course units of a 12 course unit program, and passed the comprehensive examination (or thesis or portfolio), and have a GPA of at least 3.0 and apply to march by the deadline listed in the GSE academic calendar [link] are permitted to march in the May ceremony
  • August graduates who participate in the May ceremony will have their diploma mailed by the Office of the Secretary of the University once they have completed degree requirements
  • August graduates who participate in the May commencement ceremony must apply to graduate in August by the deadline listed in the GSE academic calendar, and their diplomas will be mailed to them by the Office of the Secretary of the University 3 months after they complete their degree requirements
  • August and December graduates are also invited to participate in the spring commencement exercises that follow completion of their degrees

     

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