Gain a nuanced understanding of education as a social, cultural, and historical phenomenon in the U.S. and around the world.
Our master’s program prepares you to be an educator or scholar with a critical understanding of school in society, using approaches from anthropology, history, and philosophy.
Under the supervision and mentorship of a faculty advisor, students undertake individualized and interdisciplinary programs of study in the social foundations of education. Working in small cohorts, students explore and build a unique vision for the program through collaborative dialogue, intensive writing, and critical inquiry.
February 1 Priority Deadline
Fall Entry Term
Full or Part-Time Enrollment Format
10 Courses
12-15 Months Duration (Full-Time)
On Campus Modality
The Education, Culture, and Society, M.S.Ed. (ECS) program is committed to fostering meaningful community engagement, activism, and participatory research. Students critically examine education's social, cultural, political, and moral roles while being encouraged to actively shape educational practices. The program values all perspectives and allows students to personalize their studies based on their passions, drawing from courses across Penn GSE and other departments across the University of Pennsylvania. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of domains and gain a broader perspective through courses in Sociology, Law, Anthropology, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Work, Non-Profit Leadership, History, and many others.
ECS program offers flexible options, including joint programs and options to tailor their academic journey to their specific interests and career goals. like a scholarly paper or community-based digital portfolio, depending on students' interests and career goals.
Learn more about Dual and Joint Degrees at Penn GSE.
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
We offer the flexibility to shape your degree around what matters most to you—whether that's community advocacy, activism, or educational nonprofits. With customizable concentration paths and dual-degree options, you’ll build a graduate experience that aligns with your passions and makes a real impact.
We offer the flexibility to shape your degree around what matters most to you—whether that's community advocacy, activism, or educational nonprofits. With customizable concentration paths and dual-degree options, you’ll build a graduate experience that aligns with your passions and makes a real impact.
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
The master’s program includes four core courses and six electives. We recommend completing the program in 1.5 years (fall, spring, summer, fall), which allows students to build strong relationships with faculty and make the most of their time at Penn. An expedited, intensive option (fall, spring, summer) and a flexible part-time option over two years are also available. Students are expected to work closely with their advisor to plan their course of study.
The core program provides a common, academic foundation, while electives allow students to individualize the program of study. In consultation with a faculty advisor, ECS students may select electives across outside of education, including related fields such as social work, political science, sociology, public policy, and more. All course selections should be reviewed in consultation with a faculty advisor. The program culminates in a rigorous academic master’s paper.
For information on courses and requirements, visit the Education, Culture, and Society, M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
The Education, Culture, and Society, M.S.Ed. program also offers the following dual-degree options:
We are here to help! Contact the program staff below:
Program Manager: Alex Posecznick, alpos@upenn.edu
Program Assistant: Paula Rogers, progers@upenn.edu
Program graduates are prepared for careers in school administration, educational nonprofits, higher education, community advocacy, and educational consulting, while also obtaining a strong foundation for doctoral study.
A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.
Nikhil Anand
Mia Bay
Jasmine Harris
Kristina Lyons
Ranah McKay
Jennifer Morton
Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
On May 17, in the Palestra, Penn GSE commemorated the achievements of the roughly 600 master’s and doctoral graduates at this year’s Commencement ceremony.
The McGraw Center for Educational Leadership hosted Obama’s education secretary for public conversation with Dean Katharine Strunk.
A new study from Penn GSE’s Center for Benefit–Cost Studies of Education puts numbers on California's educational challenges.
Weaver examines the broad implications of the evolving role of college athletics and the coming impacts to institutions and students.
This award will support the assistant professor in Penn GSE’s Policy, Organizations, and Leadership division in a five-year research plan on institutional responses to truancy.
In a San Francisco public radio story, Quinn discusses how desegregation-era policies triggered lasting enrollment shifts and funding challenges in San Francisco’s public schools.
From first-time presenters to seasoned scholars, the Penn GSE community showed up big at AERA 2025 with fresh ideas and powerful conversations.
Penn GSE students explored policy, shared research, and burnished their professional development at the recent Comparative and International Education Society conference in Chicago.
Penn GSE alumni from across the academic spectrum have advised politicians, worked in the White House and the statehouse, and spurred change in our nation’s schools and universities thanks to their evidence-backed expertise in education policy.
