Advance Your Career in Medical Education

About the Program

This 2-year innovative program is designed for physicians and healthcare professionals across many fields—including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, nutrition science, physical therapy, veterinary science, and healthcare administration— who aspire to lead in medical education. With brief in‑person sessions, you can pursue your Ivy League degree without leaving your current role.

Gain insight into adult learning, build skills to design impactful curricula, and apply educational technologies to enhance instruction. Build expertise in assessment, remediation, and program evaluation while using methods to conduct and publish research.

Develop leadership skills to inspire others, sustain innovative programs, and shape the future of medical education. Developed with the Perelman School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the program provides interdisciplinary training and hands-on experience to prepare you to lead and innovate in health professions education and contribute to medical education research.

Curriculum

Our 10-course 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 five 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: 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 Med Ed program.
• 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: 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.
• Virtual Coaching Clinics: Each block includes two to three 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.

Cohort Schedule 2026–2028

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	September 16–19, 2027	October 14–17, 2027
Capstone II	February 3–4, 2028	March 9–10, 2028
Graduation 2028	May 2028 (Exact date TBA)

Learn Why Our Students Chose Penn GSE

Where Will Your Medical Education Career Take You?

Do you want to advance into leadership positions across academia and healthcare? Our Medical Education masters program is right for you! Graduates go onto serve as university and college professors, associate professors, and program directors, leading faculty development and educational initiatives—demonstrating the program’s impact in preparing professionals to shape medical education, research, and practice.

We also have an online, 9-month certificate program. Request information to learn the differences between our master's program and certificate option. 

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About Penn GSE

Penn GSE is an institution that convenes the best and brightest. People who have differing backgrounds and a unique set of skills come together here to inspire and galvanize one another as they take the initiative to challenge the status quo.

We’re here because we believe in the power of education. Because we know there’s no greater force for building communities, bridging barriers, improving lives and healing society. We’re here, at Penn GSE, because the world deserves better educational systems and better educators.

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