Acquire the knowledge, skills, and networks you need to create new schools, launch edtech ventures, and drive innovation in educational organizations and corporations around the world.
Empowering you to create innovative solutions that drive global change through the power of education.
The Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program understands the urgency of addressing the world's most pressing challenges. This one-year, executive program will equip you with the tools to design, test, and implement forward-thinking solutions in an ever-evolving global landscape. Here, education is the catalyst for transformative impact, and through our innovative approach, you’ll not only tackle critical issues but also contribute to the greater good.
September 1 Application Opens
Summer Entry Term
Executive* Enrollment Format
10 Course Units
1 Year Duration
Hybrid Modality
Through its unique design at the intersection of education, innovation, business, and entrepreneurship, the Master's in Education Entrepreneurship program empowers current and aspiring leaders with the critical academic knowledge, cross-sector tools, business skills, and entrepreneurial mindset necessary to create innovative solutions in education.
Built for working professionals seeking to innovate within an existing organization and for education and business leaders, entrepreneurs, and others interested in building and accelerating new ventures, students develop expertise in three key domains: Education Foundations, Business Essentials, and Entrepreneurial Leadership. This curriculum is complemented with premier access to Penn GSE and Wharton startup resources and clubs, education and ed tech networks, school design labs, and professional development across the innovation ecosystem.
Across the program, students work with renowned faculty from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, The Wharton Business School, Weitzman School of Design, and the School of Engineering and Applied Science to identify emerging opportunities and create the next generation of high-impact education programs, products, and services. In the 12-month Capstone project, students work with industry leaders and entrepreneurs to identify a new opportunity for education innovation based on their own personal mission and professional goals.
| This program qualifies for the STEM OPT extension for students on an F-1 visa. |
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
Jenny Zapf, Ph.D., Program Director and Penn GSE Senior Fellow in Education
Jenny Zapf, Ph.D., Program Director and Penn GSE Senior Fellow in Education
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Location: Online
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am | Location: Online
Students learn and apply new knowledge, theory, and skills in three domains: Education Foundations, Business Essentials, and Entrepreneurial Leadership. For more information on courses and requirements, visit the Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
The program culminates a year of discovery with a capstone project, where students develop a paper with reflections and valuable marketplace tools, such as a financial model and a pitch deck. So far, students have created 400 capstone ventures. Learn more about the impact of past student capstone projects.
The Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program also offers a dual-degree option for students in the Wharton M.B.A. to tailor their career goals. Learn more about the M.B.A./M.S.Ed. Dual-Degree option between Wharton and Penn GSE.
We are here to help! Contact the Assistant Director, Kaajal Vyas, gse-edent@gse.upenn.edu.
The Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program is designed to fit the schedule of full-time working professionals. The program meets eight times over 12 months: seven times onsite and once virtually, and includes virtual supplemental learning opportunities between onsite sessions. The format and schedule allow students to continue residing in their home communities and maintaining their full-time employment.
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Summer 2025 | July 27 - August 4 |
| Fall 2025 | September 26-28 |
| October 31 - November 2 | |
| December 5-7 | |
| Spring 2026 | January 9-11 |
| February 13-15 (Virtual Intensive) | |
| March 27-29 | |
| Summer 2026 | June 13-18 |
In the culminating capstone project, students identify a new opportunity—either for an existing entity or for the creation of a new venture—and implement the skills they have built in the program to launch their own education program, service, or product. Students build a business case, executing experiments that validate or invalidate key hypotheses governing the opportunity. The capstone culminates with a demo day where students pitch their ventures to a distinguished panel of judges.
The exploratory work for the capstone project begins on day one, with discovery-driven planning, ideation, and pitch practice. The second stage includes design thinking, market research, and rapid validation testing using lean methods. Designing learning environments, building venture financial models, and developing marketing plans are key elements in the third stage. In the final stage, students build integrated businesses cases for their education ventures, including financial models and pitch decks. Throughout the 12-month project, students pitch, test, iterate, pivot, and refine venture ideas through meetings with a team of mentors—including ed tech and school entrepreneurs, education intrapreneurs, business leaders, researchers, practitioners, and investors.
At the completion of capstone project, students develop a strong business case for a real-world education solution or innovation that allows them to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to potential employers, partners, and investors.
New ventures(*) and existing entities that students strengthened through their programmatic work as both entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs:
The Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. at Penn GSE offers students exclusive opportunities that foster professional growth, expand networks, and accelerate ventures. Through access to premier conferences, specialized mentorship, and hands-on training with emerging technologies, students gain the experiences and skills needed to lead and innovate in the education sector.
Students receive complimentary or discounted admission to leading global convenings,
including the ASU+GSV Summit, the HolonIQ Back to School Summit, and the Reimagine
Education Conference. The program offers professional development workshops prepare students to make the most of these experiences by strengthening communication, networking, and venture positioning skills.
The Startups Masterclass Series supports students with ventures beyond the idea stage through a close-knit founder community, expert mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. Additional programming, including office hours, masterclasses, and workshops, helps students refine strategies and scale their impact.
The AI Labs Masterclass equips students with practical skills to apply artificial intelligence in their coursework, ventures, and professional practice. Through expert-led sessions, students gain hands-on experience with AI tools and explore real-world applications in education and entrepreneurship.
Graduates of this unique program leave with the tools necessary to create new schools and initiatives, launch education startups, fund and manage technology ventures, scale leading-edge programs, and drive innovation in educational organizations and corporations.
The Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. program celebrated its milestone birthday by welcoming back 10 years of alumni and faculty for a reunion. Learn more about how the program helped alumni accelerate their careers.
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.
Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
