A doctoral program focused on measurement and evaluation that trains students to create new research methodologies and design empirical data analyses. 

The Quantitative Methods Ph.D. program is designed to prepare future professors at research universities and principal investigators at research and assessment organizations in education, psychology, and related human services fields.

What Sets Us Apart

 Penn GSE is a top-ranked Graduate School of Education by U.S. News & World Report
  Penn proudly houses the IES Predoctoral Training Program, a multi-year opportunity for current Ph.D. students offering both financial and skill-building support
4 Years Full funding for up to 4 years

About the Program

Rigorous coursework across the field of education will prepare students with the tools needed to conduct cutting-edge research and assessment.  

Application deadline
Closed for Fall 2024. The application for Fall 2025 will be available September 1, 2024.
Entry term(s)
Fall
Course requirements
20 courses (12 chosen from required competency areas and 4 electives)
Typical course load

Fall: 4 courses; Spring: 4 courses

Research apprenticeshipYes

Culminating experienceDissertation

Schedule
  • Full-Time
Overview

The Ph.D. program in Quantitative Methods is designed to prepare students for faculty positions at universities as well as important responsibilities at research and assessment organizations. Graduates will be prepared to design first-rate empirical research and data analyses and to contribute to the development of new research methodologies. Students who apply directly to the doctoral-level study program following a baccalaureate degree will enroll in the core courses described for the M.S.Ed. degree in Statistics, Measurement, Assessment, and Technology (SMART) and the more advanced courses for the Ph.D. degree. This will include the development of independent empirical research projects.

 

 

Curriculum

Doctoral degree studies include advanced graduate coursework, a research apprenticeship, a Ph.D. Candidacy Examination, and the completion of a doctoral dissertation that represents an independent and significant contribution to knowledge. The research apprenticeship provides students with an opportunity to collaborate with a faculty sponsor on an ongoing basis and to participate in field research leading to a dissertation. 

For information about courses and requirements, visit the Quantitative Methods Ph.D. program in the University Catalog.

Our Faculty

Penn GSE Faculty Robert F. Boruch
University Trustee Chair Professor of Education and Statistics
Ph.D., Iowa State University
Penn GSE Faculty Wendy Chan
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Northwestern University
Penn GSE Faculty Paul Austin McDermott
Professor
Ph.D., Temple University
Penn GSE Faculty Michael Rovine
Senior Fellow
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Affiliated Faculty

Eric T. Bradlow
K.P. Chao Professor, The Wharton School
Ph.D., Harvard University

Timothy Victor  
Adjunct Associate Professor, Penn GSE 

"Penn GSE’s Quantitative Methods Ph.D. program equipped me with the methodological skills to do impactful applied education research as soon as I graduated."

Anna Rhoad-Drogalis

Quantitative Methods Ph.D., 2016

Our Graduates

Graduates go on to careers as university professors, researchers and psyshometricians for government agencies, foundations, nonprofits organizations, and corporations. 

Alumni Careers

  • Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Associate Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Lead Psychometrician, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Research Analyst, Penn Child Research Center, University of Pennsylvania
  • Senior Director, Educational Testing Service
  • Senior Researcher, Mathematica

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements, as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact Information

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Office of Admissions and
Financial Aid

Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-6415
admissions@gse.upenn.edu
finaid@gse.upenn.edu

Program Contact

Christine P. Lee
Program Manager
(215) 898-0505
cplee@gse.upenn.edu

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.