A master's program that prepares you for a career in education policy research, evaluation, and analysis.
The one-year Education Policy master's program equips students with the knowledge and methodological tools to understand, evaluate, and implement programs and policies that impact students and communities across the country and around the world, from early childhood to K-12 and beyond.
What Sets Us Apart
About the Program
The one-year master's degree in Education Policy includes coursework in the foundations of education, research, evaluation, data analysis, and education policy.
Fall: 4 courses; Spring: 4 Courses; Summer: 2 courses
Culminating experienceEducation Policy Research Practicum
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
The Education Policy M.S.Ed. program consists of 10 course units along with the successful completion of the Education Policy Research Practicum. As part of these 10 courses, you select three electives that allow you to tailor the program of study towards your own specific interests and goals.
Students in the program usually complete courses in a 4/4/2 pattern; i.e., four courses in each of the Fall and Spring semesters and two during the Summer term. You must complete the Education Policy Research Practicum (EDUC 711) during the Spring semester in order to complete the degree.
Curriculum
For information about courses and requirements, visit the Education Policy M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
Education Policy Research Practicum
Education policy and practice increasingly rely on empirical evidence to inform state and local decision-making. With the widespread availability of educational data, there is an increasing need for the timely generation of empirical evidence to support the work of policymakers and practitioners. The Education Policy Research Practicum is designed to address this information gap. Students partner with educational leaders to conduct client-based, applied education research projects.
You will will engage in original empirical analysis, complete written policy reports, and present your findings to clients in end-of-semester formal client briefings. This course will provide direct benefits to the client as well as to the student research teams. On the client side, the findings will provide immediate, actionable guidance around an issue related to program implementation, educational practice, or other questions of educational significance. For the student researchers, this course will enhance both your human capital through real-world training in applied education research as well your social capital through partnership with high-level education policymakers and practitioners. Moreover, the key findings from these studies will be circulated throughout the Mid-Career, Penn GSE, and Penn community to enhance knowledge about important educational issues.
Former clients include district and state education agencies, private and independent schools, and non-profit educational organizations. Examples of previous projects include:
- Assessing Measures of Teaching Practice in an Urban Teacher Preparation Program
- Examining the Role of a Summer Enrichment Program in Improving Student Achievement
- A Longitudinal Analysis of School Budget Allotments and Expenditures
- Understanding the Impact of Teacher Hiring Policies on Teacher Retention and the Distribution of Teacher Performance
- Do Students with Autism Benefit from Inclusion in General Education Classes?
- The Long-Term Impact of Head Start on Student Achievement and Grade Promotion
Internship and Research Opportunities
In addition to the Education Policy Research Practicum and the other program coursework, many master’s students seek other opportunities to develop applied research and policy analysis skills. Each year, a number of students work with faculty and/or research centers here at Penn GSE. Examples of projects and centers that students have worked with include the Consortium for Policy Research in Education, the Center for Standards, Alignment, Instruction and Learning, and the Institute for Research on Higher Education.
Other students find off-campus internship and research opportunities. In the past few years, students have found rewarding off-campus employment opportunities with organizations such as the School District of Philadelphia, the Mayor's Office for Education, the Philadelphia Education Fund, Research for Action, and KIPP.
Dual and Joint Degrees
We offer joint and dual degrees with Penn Law, the Fels Institute of Government, and Wharton. Learn more about Dual and Joint Degrees at Penn GSE.
Our Faculty
The Education Policy faculty study everything from big data in early childhood education to assessment and evaluation to the teacher workforce. In addition to the standing faculty in Education Policy, our program is enriched by the scholarship of faculty members from the Literacy, Culture, and International Education, Human Development and Quantitative Methods, Higher Education, and Teaching, Learning, and Leadership divisions.
Affiliated Faculty
Sigal Ben-Porath
Professor
Ph.D., Tel Aviv University
Wendy Chan
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Northwestern University
Dennis P. Culhane
Professor, Penn Social Policy & Practice
Ph.D., Boston College
Joni Finney
Professor of Practice
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
John MacDonald
Professor of Criminology and Sociology, Penn Arts & Sciences
Ph.D., University of Maryland
Laura W. Perna
GSE Centennial Presidential Professor of Education
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Andy Porter
Professor Emeritus of Education
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
John L. Puckett
Professor Emeritus of Education
Ph.D., University of North Carolina
Rand Quinn
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Stanford University
Daniel A. Wagner
Professor
Ph.D., University of Michigan
Sharon Wolf
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., New York University
Jonathan Zimmerman
Professor of History of Education
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Our Graduates
Our graduates go on to take leading roles in school districts, federal and state education departments, education policy research institutes, and education-related non-profit organizations. Many continue their studies in prestigious doctoral programs.
Alumni Careers
- Management and Program Analyst, U.S. Department of Education, Washington DC
- Education Policy Researcher, Council of the Great City Schools, Washington DC
- Program Manager for Student Support Services, School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Policy Analyst, RAND Corporation
- Project Manager, First Up
- Data Analyst, New York City Department of Education, New York, NY
- Executive Director, Institute for Recruitment of Teachers, Andover, MA
- Associate Director of Social Justice, College Board
- Research Analyst, NORC at the University of Chicago
- Program Manager, New Jersey Department of Education
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
Krista Featherstone
Program Manager
(215) 573-8075
kfeat@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.
Related News & Research
The Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) is a joint effort of seven graduate schools of education. Its research focuses on school reform, governance, policy, and finance.
The Penn Child Research Center promotes the educational and psychological well-being of children through the application of informed social and scientific policy.
Joint Degree Program: Penn GSE (M.S.Ed.) and Penn Law (J.D.)
The J.D./M.S.Ed. is a joint program sponsored by Penn GSE and Penn Law. Students earn both degrees in three years and are prepared to assumed positions of leadership in educational law and policymaking in both the public and private sectors.
Joint Degree Program: Penn GSE (M.S.Ed.) and Fels Institute of Government (M.P.A.)
The M.S.Ed./M.P.A. is a joint program sponsored by Penn GSE and Penn's Fels Institute of Government. This dual-degree option is ideal for students looking to combine preparation for nonprofit leadership and public administration with the study of education policy.
Joint Degree Program: Penn GSE (M.S.Ed.) and Wharton School (M.B.A.)
The M.S.Ed./M.B.A. is a joint program sponsored by Penn GSE and the Wharton School. This dual-degree option is ideal for students who have an interest in education policy, leadership, and management. Admitted students complete both degrees over the course of two academic years.