Earn a certificate in project-based learning and engage your students in authentic student-centered inquiry.
The Project-Based Learning certificate program is designed for current educators who strive to create rich, meaningful, and rigorous learning experiences through student-centered approaches to teaching and learning. The program can be completed remotely, except for one week-long in-person summer institute at the beginning of the program and a final week-long in-person summer institute at the conclusion of the program.
What Sets Us Apart
About the Program
The Project-Based Learning certificate program provides an innovative professional learning experience that allows currently practicing teachers to leverage the educational expertise of Penn GSE’s faculty and some of the most skilled and experienced student-centered learning practitioners from across the country. The program was developed in collaboration with the Science Leadership Academy, the Workshop School, Inquiry Schools, and EL Education.
Certificate/Licensure offeredPenn GSE Certificate in Project-Based Learning
Professional developmentEquivalent of 3 Continuing Education credits
- Part-Time
- Certificate
The Project-Based Learning certificate program is advanced professional development. The program is designed to help teachers engage their students in authentic intellectual inquiry, facilitate learning through projects, and develop vital student skills such as critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
A blended program structure allows for the best of both in-person and virtual learning experiences. The program begins with a week-long summer institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Throughout the school year, teachers will work with an expert instructional coach from the program’s instructional team. Coaches provide ongoing feedback and support that teachers can use immediately in their own classrooms. Teachers return to Penn GSE for a final week-long summer institute, where they learn how to develop themselves as instructional leaders within their schools and their communities.
Ideal candidatesCurrent elementary, middle, or high school teacher; instructional coach; department chair; principal; or other instructional leader
Curriculum
While some programs focus on developing or refining curriculum or projects, the Project-Based Learning certificate program is different. Even with a terrific project or unit, we recognize that what a teacher does to bring it to life makes all the difference. Accordingly, our program focuses on what teachers actually do in the classroom. For example, how do teachers support students to collaborate? How do teachers help students make connections to their work and contributions to their world? How do teachers support students to reflect and revise their work?
The program consists of three main learning experiences:
Summer Institute I (August 3-7, 2020): Explore the driving goals and core teaching practices of project-based learning.
Academic Year Learning Cycles (August 2020-June 2021): Record and share video of classroom teaching and analyze within small virtual teams.
Summer Institute II (August 2-6, 2021): Synthesize learning and plan for future.
*Note: Penn GSE Certificates are awarded as a standalone, non-credit bearing education credential.
Our Faculty
Our program leadership and instructional team come with deep experience and expertise in teacher development and student-centered approaches to teaching and learning.
Advisory Team
Advisory Team
Pam Grossman
Dean, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
Ph.D., Stanford University
Christopher Pupik Dean
Senior Fellow
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Riggan
Co-Founder, The Workshop School
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Chris Lehmann
Founding Principal and CEO, Science Leadership Academies
M.A., Columbia University
Sarah Schneider Kavanagh
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Washington
Meg Riordan
Director of External Research & Project Director, Teacher Potential Project, EL Education
Ph.D., New York University
What Our Participants Are Saying
“A rich, in-depth, transformative experience!” – Project-Based Learning program participant
“Amazing! One of the best professional development experiences I’ve ever had. It challenged me, and I was immersed in an experience that provided specific ways for me to take what I’ve learned and implement it immediately.” – Project-Based Learning program participant
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 us if you have any questions about the program.
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
Zachary Herrmann
Executive Director, Center for Professional Learning
(215) 573-6751
PennPBL@gse.upenn.edu
Sara Goldstein
Program Coordinator, Center for Professional Learning
(215) 898-0846
PennPBL@gse.upenn.edu
Chenelle Boatswain
Assistant Director, Center for Professional Learning
PennPBL@gse.upenn.edu
Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.
Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.
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