Medical Education, M.S.Ed.

An innovative program for physicians and healthcare professionals who want to lead the way in medical education.

The Medical Education, M.S.Ed. (Med Ed) program is a unique collaboration between physician educators and education experts. We provide a comprehensive, innovative curriculum designed for physicians and other healthcare professionals who want to pursue master-level training, evidence-based education, educational scholarship, and educational technologies. Our approach—brief on-site intensives paired with flexible distance learning—accommodates professionals from a broad geographic area and with a broad variety of professional roles and responsibilities.

Program Details

September 1 Application Opens
Fall Entry Term
Executive Enrollment Format
10 Courses
2 Years Duration
On Campus Modality

Overview

Participants complete five learning blocks over five semesters: Learning and Technology, Educational Research, Leadership, Master’s Capstone I and Master’s Capstone II. Virtual coaching clinics are coordinated with each of the program blocks. These clinics hone students’ online teaching abilities and collaborative learning skills, and help students complete their block assignments.

Prepare to teach medical educators: Gain an understanding of how adults learn, how to develop effective and efficient educational experiences in medical education, and how to teach others to do the same. Prepare to take on the many challenges facing medical educators, including assessment, curricular design, remediation, and integrating educational technologies into learning experiences.

Become a medical education researcher: Acquire the skills and knowledge to meet the growing need for research and innovation in medical education. Learn how to evaluate learning programs and produce scholarly research for peer reviewed journals.

Grow into a leadership role at your healthcare organization or medical school: Influence and inspire others to learn. Develop the leadership competencies to plan, implement, and maintain successful, sustainable programs. Acquire relevant leadership skills and tools that are specific to medical education.

Take the Next Step

Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid

What Sets Us Apart

Leading the Next Generation of Medical Educators

Developed with the Perelman School of Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Medical Education, M.S.Ed. program offers interdisciplinary training and hands-on experience to prepare you to lead and innovate in health professions education and contribute to medical education research.

What Sets Us Apart

Admissions Events

Sep 10

Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed. Virtual Information Session

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Sep 16

Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. Virtual Information Session

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Sep 24

Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. Virtual Information Session

Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Location: Online

Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to integrate the expertise of professional educators with the perspective of clinicians. Created for adult learners, the program is active, engaging, and experiential. Our program consists of four integrated blocks, combining in-person large-group sessions with synchronous, small-group virtual discussions. Each block is designed to build core competencies in medical and health professions education:

Learning & Technology: Explore the theories and research underpinning learning, curriculum design, instruction, and educational technology in health professions education. Develop a deeper understanding of common educational challenges such as learner assessment, curricular development, and pedagogical techniques.
Educational Research: Gain essential skills in educational inquiry and evidence-based investigation. Learn to design and conduct both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, utilize evaluation tools and techniques, and navigate the practical aspects of scholarly work, from proposal writing to research publication.
Capstone I: Design and complete a capstone project or paper that addresses a need within your professional setting. Projects are guided by a clear framework and supported through synchronous and asynchronous online sessions faculty mentorship and peer collaboration.
Leadership: Develop leadership capabilities critical to educational innovation and program management. Topics include emotional intelligence, influence and motivation, group dynamics, organizational culture, and leading change in complex systems.
Capstone II: Clear communication and strong observational skills are fundamental tools in a medical educator’s toolkit. These abilities are essential for providing feedback, assessing competence, remediating learners, and coaching – all of which require educators to self-manage while interpreting and communicating observed data. More broadly, effective teaching, dissemination of educational scholarship, and team leadership all rely on the clear communication of information. The Capstone portion of the Med Ed program is designed to equip participants with pragmatic tools to enhance their skills in teaching, presenting, and observing, enhancing their effectiveness as educators, scholars, and leaders. Additionally, the content of the Capstone program prepares students to complete the Capstone requirements that are required for successful completion of the MedEd program.
Virtual Coaching Clinics: Each block includes three to four small group virtual coaching clinics, designed to reinforce key concepts from the teaching sessions and help students complete their block assignments. Led by expert coaches, these clinics provide targeted support for applying course content, completing assignments, and enhancing instructional practice in digital environments.

For information on courses and requirements, visit the Medical Education, M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.

Do you have questions about the plan of study?

We are here to help! Contact the program Associate Director, Jessica Hall hallje@upenn.edu.

Block	Week One	Week Two
Learning & Technology	September 17–20, 2026	October 22–25, 2026
Educational Research	January 28–31, 2027	March 18–21, 2027
Capstone I	June 24–27, 2027	July 22–25, 2027
Leadership	TBD	TBD
Capstone II	TBD	TBD
Graduation 2028	May 2028 (Exact date TBA)

Outcomes

The Medical Education, M.S.Ed. program is designed for physicians, veterinarians, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals who have, or are interested in pursuing, positions in educational leadership, such as program directors, fellowship directors, clerkship directors, and positions with responsibilities in undergraduate or graduate medical education or faculty development. In addition, the program is tailored to meet the needs of healthcare professionals interested in a specific facet of medical education, such as simulation, research and scholarship, program evaluation, learner assessment, or leading learning efforts in complex systems. Our program strongly emphasizes equipping graduates to serve as leaders and resources within their institutions.

Alumni Careers

Associate Professor of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School
Professor, Penn Vet
Vice Chief of Medical Oncology, Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA)
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Director, Faculty Resources, Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina
Pediatric Cardiologist, A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children
Professor of Nutrition/Associate Dean of Education, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Program Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency, SUNY Downstate/Kings County Hospital
Residency Program Director, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Apply Now

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.

Application Requirements

"The Med Ed program has been a gateway to connect with world-class faculty and tackle some of the most challenging problems we face in the modern healthcare era."
Hear directly from Medical Education master's students to learn more about the active, engaging, and experiential executive-style program specifically designed for working professionals. This look into the program will highlight the student experience, cohort model, and its impact on educational frameworks.

Our Faculty

Affiliated Faculty

Our affiliated faculty are valued members of the Penn GSE community and are leaders in their fields and disciplines across higher education and in the private sector. In addition to teaching students, many of our affiliated faculty also contribute to curricular development, research, and serve as student mentors.