The Higher Education Division (HED) prepares managers for the world’s post-secondary institutions, offering the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.S.Ed. degrees, in addition to The Executive Doctorate.

HED students examine, understand, and integrate the areas of knowledge that must function in concert for an academic institution to succeed and prosper—policy, finance, law, academic and student affairs, technology, economics, strategic planning, resource allocation, marketing, and management. The curriculum integrates case studies, discussion-oriented seminars, individual and group research projects, and work-based programs. Through classroom study and practical experience, students learn about the factors influencing change in higher education institutions, such as government policy, management theories, and information technology. In the process, they further develop their written and spoken communication skills, and acquire both the theoretical knowledge and the hands-on experience required for success in higher education management.

Work within the Ed.D. and M.S.Ed. programs in the Higher Education Division is focused on practice. We expect graduates of these programs to be the future senior management of higher education. As part of the program, all full-time M.S.Ed. students are expected to work in paid internships. The Division’s internship program currently includes over 35 positions at Penn and other area institutions spanning a large range of specializations, from business services to departmental management, from academic program management to alumni relations, from recruitment to academic and student affairs. All are part-time, professional positions with significant levels of responsibility. These positions are primarily for HED students, but students in other Penn GSE Divisions are welcome to apply.

Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program at HED focus on theory-based research, as opposed to the applied research focus on the Ed.D. program. These students generally aim for careers as faculty or researchers. HED Ph.D. students generally enroll full-time and typically receive full funding through research assistantships or fellowships.

Those interested in other Penn programs in higher education management, including information on financial aid, scholarships, and research assistantships, should contact the Penn GSE Admissions Office:

University of Pennsylvania
Graduate School of Education
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6216
Telephone: 1-877-PENN-GSE
Fax: 215-746-6884
Email: admissions@gse.upenn.edu