Student Handbook

These policies apply to all programs unless otherwise noted. Your program may also have a program handbook with specific policies, rules, and guidelines that apply only to your program. You must also comply with those policies as well.

Penn GSE Student Handbook

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Updated August 2026

Table of Contents

I. Academic Policies

A. Code of Academic Integrity

1. Academic Dishonesty Definitions

(From the Code of Academic Integrity of the University of Pennsylvania)

Penn GSE prohibits conduct that is contrary to accepted principles of academic honesty. Membership in this community imposes both an obligation to comply with its rules and the responsibility to assist in their enforcement.

Activities that have the effect or intention of interfering with education, pursuit of knowledge, or fair evaluation of a student’s performance are prohibited. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, the following definitions:

Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, or study aids in examinations or other academic work or preventing, or attempting to prevent, another from using authorized assistance, material, or study aids. Example: using a cheat sheet in a quiz or exam, altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade, etc.

Plagiarism: using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment. Example: copying another person’s paper, article, or computer work and submitting it for an assignment, cloning someone else’s ideas without attribution, failing to use quotation marks where appropriate, etc.

Fabrication: submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise. Example: making up data for an experiment, fudging data, citing nonexistent articles, contriving sources, etc.

Multiple submission: submitting, without prior permission, any work submitted to fulfill another academic requirement.

Misrepresentation of academic records: misrepresenting or tampering with or attempting to tamper with any portion of a student’s transcripts or academic record, either before or after coming to the University of Pennsylvania. Example: forging a change of grade slip, tampering with computer records, falsifying academic information on one’s resume, etc.

Facilitating academic dishonesty: knowingly helping or attempting to help another violate any provision of the Code. Example: working together on a take-home exam, etc.

Unfair advantage: attempting to gain unauthorized advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise. Example: gaining or providing unauthorized access to examination materials, obstructing or interfering with another student’s efforts in an academic exercise, lying about a need for an extension for an exam or paper, continuing to write even when time is up during an exam, destroying or keeping library materials for one’s own use, etc.

If a student is unsure whether a specific action(s) constitute a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, then it is that student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor to clarify any ambiguities.

Infractions can occur in any academic situation including, but not limited to, a course, research project, independent study, presentation, qualifying examination, preliminary examination, or dissertation.

2. Procedures for Handling Academic Integrity Violations

Penn GSE embraces the principle that faculty members have wide authority to judge the academic work of their students. The University’s policy titled “Faculty Authority to Assign Grades and Academic Integrity” notes the distinction between academic evaluation and disciplinary action:

Faculty members have the authority to make academic judgments in relation to their students and to make decisions in the interests of furthering their students’ education. Only the institution, acting through its formal processes, may discipline a student. Grades are not sanctions, even if they arise from a judgment that a student has violated a norm of academic integrity. In such cases, the grade may reflect the faculty member’s view that a piece of work was done inappropriately but it represents the quality of the work, not a record of discipline for the behavior. There are many ways to do work inappropriately or badly, resulting in low or failing grades. The policy of the charter is to preserve the faculty member’s right to grade work on the basis of all of its qualities and to make the decision to pursue disciplinary action a separate matter.

3. Faculty Member's Options

A faculty member who concludes that a student has violated the Code of Academic Integrity has two options:
The faculty member may assign a grade that reflects the faculty member’s view that the work was done inappropriately

If the faculty member believes that the violation merits disciplinary sanctions or that further investigation is warranted, the faculty member may refer the matter to Penn’s Center for Community Standards and Accountability (CSA) through Penn GSE’s Director of Academic Affairs. If a case is referred to the CSA, they will follow the principles and process outlined in the Charter of the University of Pennsylvania Student Disciplinary System.
If the faculty member wishes to handle the matter with the grading option, it should be reported to Penn GSE’s Director of Academic Affairs for recordkeeping.

4. Appeals in Matters Involving Academic Dishonesty

For assistance and/or advocacy in navigating the entire process, please contact Penn GSE’s Director of Academic Affairs. In matters referred to The Center for Standards and Accountability, the appeal procedures described in the Charter of the University of Pennsylvania Student Disciplinary System will apply.

5. Miscellaneous

A faculty member involved in an academic integrity matter will be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary proceeding by Penn GSE’s Director of Academic Affairs. If the student has been found not to be responsible for an academic integrity violation, the instructor may reconsider or regrade the student based upon the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings. In the event that the student believes the final grade is unfair or fails to take account of the outcome of the disciplinary proceeding, the student may appeal the grade through the Penn GSE Academic Grievance Policy.

In addition to the channels outlined above, a student may take problems to the Office of the Ombuds. The Ombuds does not have decision-making authority but serves as an impartial mediator in helping to resolve disputes. Further, students who feel they have been subject to discrimination may take their complaint to the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. The role of this Office is to ensure that the University meets its obligations as an equal opportunity employer and educational institution.

6. Policy on Ethical Behavior in the Electronic Environment

Please refer to the university’s Policy on Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources.

B. Grading Policies

1. Course Grades

The following grades for Graduate School of Education courses will be entered on the student’s record at the close of the term.

Grade Grade Points
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
F 0.0 - Failure
I Incomplete

All courses are graded according to the preceding chart, with the following exception:

Instructors of practicum and fieldwork courses in Education may submit a “Pass (P)/Fail (F)” report as the final evaluation of the course performance of students enrolled in the Graduate School of Education.

“Pass/Fail” courses do not factor into the GPA. Note: Ph.D. students may not count coursework with a “Pass/Fail” grade toward degree requirements. Master’s and Ed.D. students may not count “Pass/Fail” grades toward degree requirements unless noted otherwise in the graduate catalog.

Some courses grade on a progress scale, meaning students will receive grades of Satisfactory Progress, Satisfactory Completion, or Unsatisfactory Progress (SP, SC, UP). Grades of SP are not considered final grades and will not confer the course unit amount associated with the course (for instance, a grade of SP will not confer the total three CU count for a Master’s Thesis Completion course; students must receive SC to receive the CUs). These grades are not factored into the GPA.

Multi-term courses are utilized by several Penn GSE programs and are indicated by a letter following the course number (i.e. 6000A/6000B). These are courses that span academic terms and students receive the same grade for each upon completion of course. Students receive PR, F, or I grades in terms leading up to the final offering. The PR grade is an In-Progress grade that functions like a P or Passing grade, but a PR grade indicates that the student is still engaged and completing outcomes as part of the multi-term course. Once the multi-term course is completed a final grade is issued and all prior terms will reflect that final grade. Students who are not making satisfactory progress in a multi-term course or have an extenuating circumstance that has impacted their ability to maintain satisfactory progress can be awarded an F or an I.

Grade changes are not permitted for a student whose graduation audit has already been completed.

A grade of “F” in a course will not yield a student academic credit. As a result, students will need to retake courses for which they have received an F to earn credits. Students who retake a course for which they previously received an “F” will see both the original “F” and new course grade on their transcript. Their cumulative GPA will reflect all course grades, including any original “F” earned.

No instructor is required to change a grade after the final grade submission for the semester.

2. GPA Minimum Requirement and Academic Probation

All Penn GSE students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above throughout the degree program. Additionally, all Penn GSE students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above to graduate.

Students who fail to maintain this minimum GPA requirement will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. Students who don’t raise the cumulative GPA to a 3.0 at the end of the semester on probation will be withdrawn from the degree program.

Additionally, Penn GSE will withdraw any student whose cumulative GPA prevents them from reaching a 3.0 GPA in the term following their placement on academic probation. Students may re-apply for program admission after withdrawal.

3. Satisfactory Progress

In addition to the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, students must maintain satisfactory progress through all phases of their program. Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from the program. Criteria for determining satisfactory progress for each degree is detailed in the sections below.

M.S.Ed. Degree Requirements – Advising and Satisfactory Progress
M.Phil.Ed. Degree Requirements – Advising and Satisfactory Progress
Ed.D. Degree Requirements – Advising and Satisfactory Progress
Ph.D. Degree Requirements – Advising and Satisfactory Progress

4. Student Evaluation and Grade Inflation

Student evaluation is the prerogative and responsibility of the faculty and an important educative act. Each student is entitled to the careful and timely review of his or her academic work. Grades are the means by which such evaluations are efficiently communicated to external groups (e.g. doctoral admissions committees, fellowship committees, employers) and, most importantly, to the student. The compression of grades in the upper range (grade inflation) has occurred at many colleges and universities and the phenomenon is particularly prevalent at highly selective institutions. There are, of course, circumstances in which grades may be somewhat skewed toward the upward range such as independent studies or small advanced doctoral seminars. Further, some faculty members use the “mastery” approach to teaching, providing students with feedback and the opportunity to rework certain assignments for a higher grade. Nevertheless, without variation in grades, it is impossible to differentiate between “distinguished” work (the criterion for an A in graduate grading system at Penn) and “good” work (the criterion for a B). Grade inflation is problematic because it unfairly penalizes students whose exemplary work deserves to stand apart through the recognition of an A. Inflated grades also can mislead students and give them an unreasonably optimistic assessment of their performance. At Penn, the expectation is that grade distributions in courses fall predominantly in the A to B range and that the typical mean of most courses (excluding small seminars and so forth and subject to the professional judgment of individual faculty members) is a B+.

5. Incompletes

Students are expected to complete all coursework during the semester in which a course is taken. However, in special circumstances, such as family or medical emergencies, students may request that their instructor issue an Incomplete in place of a grade if they are unable to finish course assignments by the end of the term. Students requesting Incomplete grades are expected to have engaged in the course for at least 80% of the term, as determined by the instructor (this includes, but is not limited to, attendance, assignments, exams, etc.). For specific guidelines on this threshold, students should consult the academic calendar each term. Students requesting an Incomplete grade before this point may not be approved and may be directed toward other administrative options, such as a leave of absence.

Additionally, students requesting Incompletes are expected to have written communication with their instructor regarding a plan for resolving their incomplete coursework. They must then submit the Incomplete Request Form with instructor and program approval. No Penn GSE instructor is required to give a grade of Incomplete and can issue the grade earned by the student; however, when a student requests an Incomplete grade and the faculty approves this option, the student is subject to the procedures and timeline for completing the coursework (see #1 below). Students who opt to receive the grade earned from their cumulative engagement in the course should not request an Incomplete grade.

Students with two or more Incompletes will not be permitted to enroll in the subsequent semester without the approval of the Director of Academic Affairs.

Please note that the above policy may not apply to all Penn GSE courses, such as courses in the executive-format programs. In these cases, the incomplete policy will be outlined in the instructor’s syllabus.

a. Procedures for Completing Coursework

Students who request an Incomplete grade have a four-week courtesy period after the last day of classes to submit outstanding work. If the work is not submitted within this period, the student’s Incomplete grade will become a Permanent Incomplete (I*). It is the student’s responsibility to construct a plan with their instructor that will inform them of their timeline for submitting outstanding work within this four-week courtesy period.

The student may not expect an instructor to review academic work during the summer unless a prior agreement has been reached between the student and the instructor. Once the student submits all outstanding coursework to the instructor for review, the instructor evaluates the student's academic performance and submits a grade.

If the student follows the timeline for submitting work, but the instructor is unable to meet the Registrar’s deadline for having a grade recorded, an extension will be granted.

If a student fails to follow the timeline for having coursework reviewed by the deadlines, the instructor and the School have no obligation to resolve the Incomplete or grant a further extension.

b. Permanent Incompletes

After the four-week courtesy period, grades of I will become frozen by the Registrar’s Office as Permanent Incompletes (I*). The Registrar automatically changes I to I* after the end of the semester which is one year from the term in which the course is taken. For example, a grade of I given in fall semester becomes I* after the end of next fall term. There will be no refund of tuition for courses that are recorded as I*. Any required course that shows a grade of I* must be retaken at the current tuition rate.

c. Exceptions to Incomplete Time Limits

Exceptions to the School’s time limit on Incompletes are granted to students only with approval by the instructor and the Director of Academic Affairs. Extensions are considered when the student is experiencing a personal or family medical emergency or an ongoing debilitating condition, when the student is called for military duty, or when the instructor does not submit the change of grade on time.

6. Grade Appeals

See section a of the Penn GSE Academic Grievance Policy listed below.

C. Penn GSE Academic Grievance Policy

1. Grade, Evaluation, and Examination Appeals

A Penn GSE student who wishes to appeal the result of an examination, evaluation, or course grade must first discuss the situation with the course instructor or relevant faculty member administering the evaluation or examination. Students are expected to make a good-faith effort to resolve the issue with the course instructor or relevant faculty member before elevating to others.

If a student finds their issue requires further review, the student may refer to the following order of elevation:

Course Instructor or relevant Faculty Member administering the evaluation/examination
Program Director
Division Chair (of the program in which the grade has been issued or the examination administered, which may not necessarily be the program of the student)
Associate Dean

The decision of an Associate Dean is considered final.

2. Requests for Exceptions to Penn GSE Policies or Procedures

A Penn GSE student who wishes to seek an exception to a Penn GSE policy or procedure, or appeal a decision made in reference to a schoolwide policy, should first discuss the situation with their academic advisor. Students are expected to understand and comply with Penn GSE schoolwide policy before requesting an exception; a request for an exception must refer to a specific school policy in order to be considered.

As much as possible, a Penn GSE student should aim to resolve their request or situation within their primary program and division. The below order of elevation may be helpful in suggesting potential avenues for guidance. Please note: though the personnel below can offer advice, counsel, and information, exceptions to schoolwide policy can only be made by the Committee on Degrees. Please refer to section 3 below for more information on the Committee.

Academic Advisor
Program Director
Division Chair
Director of Academic Affairs

If the student issue cannot be resolved through prior conversations, the student will be referred to the Committee on Degrees to file a petition. See section 3 below for more information.

3. Committee on Degrees

The Committee on Degrees is comprised of Penn GSE faculty, administrators, and students who review individual requests during the fall and spring semesters. The Committee on Degrees meets once in the fall and once in the spring. Students who are seeking an exception to a policy should fill out the Committee on Degrees form. For assistance and/or advocacy in navigating the entire process, please contact the Director of Academic Affairs, Chris Kubik Cedeño, at cdkubik@upenn.edu.

D. Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals

1. Leave of Absence Policy

The University requires degree students to be continuously registered every semester until all degree requirements have been met unless a leave of absence has been approved. Degree students who intend to become inactive must submit a request for a Leave of Absence online. Leaves of absence (LOA) can be requested and approved for up to one year. If an extension is desired, another LOA request needs to be submitted.

Eligible degree students who wish to request a LOA must submit the online form prior to the term when the leave is desired, or at minimum, before the drop deadline of the semester in which the leave is desired. Failure to register for coursework, master’s/doctoral degree completion, or dissertation status without permission from the University does not constitute a leave of absence. Students who are not continuously registered or on an approved LOA will be withdrawn from their program. A student’s LOA will end in the term indicated on their LOA application form. If a student does not subsequently confirm their intent to return in the semester indicated on their leave form or does not extend their leave with a new LOA application form, they will be withdrawn. A master’s student will not be permitted to be on a LOA for more than two consecutive years at a time; the maximum time limit for Ed.D. and Ph.D. students will be three consecutive years at a time. After this time, students will be withdrawn from their program if they do not officially return from the leave.

If students request a leave after the beginning of the semester, course dropping and withdrawal deadlines apply. Leaves of absence will not be granted retroactively for terms when students fail to register or request a leave.

The granting of a leave of absence does not change the time limit for completing degree requirements. Any exceptions to the time limit for completing degree requirements will be noted in the leave of absence letter and are determined on a case-by-case basis when students require the following: leave for military service, maternity/paternity leave, and/or medical leave.

Students may not register for courses, submit assignments to faculty, request a change of grade, hold dissertation hearings, sit for exams, or graduate during a leave of absence. Additionally, students on a leave of absence do not have access to Penn or Penn GSE resources. Students on an approved leave of absence who wish to retain access to Penn’s facilities (in particular, the library) may be required to pay a fee per term of absence. This fee, if required, is added to the Student Financial Services bill by the Penn GSE Registrar.

Students can request a leave of absence only after they have matriculated to Penn GSE and enrolled in at least one course past the drop deadline. New students who need to leave before the end of the drop period can explore the possibility of deferring their admission but will likely need to reapply for a future term since they are not permitted to take a leave of absence.

For Doctoral Students Only: In addition to adhering to the policies noted above, Ph.D. students must have divisional approval, in addition to program approval, for a leave of absence. All doctoral students (Ph.D. and Ed.D.) may request a leave of absence up until the term they hold a successful oral proposal hearing. Students who have defended their oral proposal are not eligible for leave of absence except for an approved family leave, military leave, or medical leave. Even if a leave of absence is approved in these circumstances post an oral proposal hearing, this does not necessarily stop the clock with regard to the time limit on finishing the degree. As previously noted, stopping the clock for a degree time limit is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Doctoral candidates must be continuously enrolled from the term of oral proposal completion until graduation.

2. Returning from a Leave of Absence

Students returning from a leave of absence must fill out a Return from Leave of Absence Form at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the term in which they plan to return. Once written permission has been granted by the Office of Student Success for the term requested, the student will be officially notified in writing and allowed to register. It is the student’s responsibility to submit a return from leave request in a timely manner or to request an approval for extension of the leave. If the student does not return from leave in the expected timeframe, they will be withdrawn from their program.

3. Family Leave of Absence Policy for Doctoral Students

A student in the Ph.D. program at Penn may take an unpaid Family Leave of Absence for the birth or adoption of a child, child care, or care of an immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) with a serious health condition. This policy is outlined in the University’s Pennbook. To take advantage of this option, Ph.D. students must fill out BOTH the University’s Ph.D. Family Leave Request Form and 2) the Penn GSE Leave of Absence Form. Approved leaves of absence under this policy “stop the clock” towards the time limit on the degree as long as an application for a leave of absence has been completed with proper documentation. Leaves of absence with “clock stoppage” will be notified in writing upon approval of the leave.

Students may take a Family Leave of Absence for one or two semesters. Students are expected to notify the Graduate Group Chair and adviser in writing of his/her plans to take a Family Leave at an early date, so that appropriate arrangements can be made to cover any teaching/research responsibilities.

An Ed.D. student also has the option to take a Family Leave of Absence that stops the clock. The student is responsible for arranging leave from an employment standpoint. Ed.D. students only need to fill out the Leave of Absence Request Form and should note if they would like to consider “stopping the clock” on their degree time limit. If this request is approved, students will be notified in writing by the Office of Student Success.

Eligible degree students who wish to take a Family Leave of Absence must submit the request prior to the term when the leave is desired. These leaves of absence will not be granted retroactively for terms when students fail to register or request a leave medical leave.

During the period of Family Leave, students may arrange to continue Student Health Insurance but are responsible for the payment of their own premiums. Upon paying a fee and making the appropriate indication on the Leave of Absence form, students on approved Family Leave can retain their PennCard, e-mail accounts, library privileges, and building access.

Funding commitments from the institution are deferred until the student returns from Family Leave. Students receiving funding from external sources, such as government grants, are subject to the conditions established by the funding source.

Service requirements (e.g., teaching, research) will be met by the student following return from Family Leave.

Requests for extension of Family Leave beyond one year, or for repeated Family Leaves, may be made. Approval of an extension, deferral of funding, and continued academic accommodation is at the discretion of the program faculty, the Office of Student Success, and the Graduate Group Chair.

*IMPORTANT: If you anticipate adding a dependent (e.g., newborn) to your Penn Student Insurance Policy while on Family Leave, you must remain in ACTIVE student status at the start of the fall semester. Students should arrange with their school/division to maintain full-time student status for at least 31 days from the start of fall classes, after which time the Family Leave status can be recorded in the Student Records System. After the birth/adoption, contact the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) to enroll the dependent. The premium for dependent coverage is payable directly to Aetna Student Health.

4. Withdrawal

A student who intends to terminate candidacy for a degree at the Graduate School of Education should formally withdraw from the School by filling out the Withdrawal Request Form. The effective date of separation from the University is the date on which the student files a request for withdrawal unless a future date is specified on the form. Students are responsible for tuition charges and other financial obligations to the University incurred before the effective date of withdrawal.

II. General Policies

A. Official Communications

The official method of communication between Penn GSE students and faculty, program staff, and Penn GSE administration is the student’s Penn-issued email address. It is the student‘s responsibility to remain informed of critical updates—from the University, from Penn GSE, and from their specific program—through active monitoring of their Penn email. Penn GSE cannot guarantee transmission of important communications via personal email addresses, phone numbers, or other methods of communication outside of Penn email.

B. Code of Student Conduct

C. University of Pennsylvania Policy on Equal Opportunity

D. Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement

E. Sexual Misconduct Policy, Resource Offices and Complaint Procedures

F. Respect for Others in the Workplace

G. Consensual Sexual Relations Between Faculty And Students In GSE

The relationship between faculty member and student is central to the academic mission of the University. No non-academic or personal ties should be allowed to interfere with the integrity of the faculty-student relationship. Consensual sexual relations between faculty and student can adversely affect the academic enterprise, distorting judgments, or appearing to do so to others, and providing incentives or disincentives for student-faculty contact that are inappropriate. Because Penn GSE is a single department with a single graduate group with many cross-school courses and activities, we believe that any sexual or dating relationships between faculty members and graduate and professional students at Penn GSE can interfere with the learning environment. For these reasons, any sexual relations or dating relationships between a faculty member and a Penn GSE student are prohibited. The prohibition extends to all academic advisors and program directors, as well as part-time faculty.

We recognize that there may be some exceptional cases, such as the case of a pre-existing relationship between an incoming faculty member and a current student or a relationship that predates this policy. In such cases, we would ask that the faculty member disclose the relationship to the dean who can ensure that the faculty member does not play a supervisory or advisory role to the student while the student is enrolled at Penn GSE. Read the University's Policy on Consensual Romantic and Sexual Relations in the Workplace and Educational Setting.

H. University Policy on Secular and Religious Holidays

I. Poster Policy

Penn GSE values open expression. There are bulletin boards located at the 3700 Walnut Street building on the west side of each floor. Posters or messaging relevant to the Penn GSE community should be posted there. To enable out of date items to be easily removed, please attach posters using push pins. Items that are out of date will be removed from bulletin boards. If you need to post in a place other than the bulletin board, please seek permission from the Office of Student Success. In order to maintain an orderly appearance and to prevent damage, no materials should be taped to the doors or walls at any location.

J. University Resources For Resolving Information Complaints

The University has resource offices that will provide information, support and advice to individuals who have questions or concerns regarding University policy. See confidential resources below.

Confidential Resources for Information, Counseling, and Support:

K. Formal Complaints And Reporting Offices

An individual who wishes to report an allegation of discrimination or harassment may contact anyone on the list below, a manager of a relevant office, or one of the designated University resource offices. If a report is made to any of these individuals/offices listed below, the staff of that office is responsible for ensuring that appropriate action is taken by the University. Please note that Penn GSE staff listed below are not considered confidential resources and could be mandatory reporters.

Complaint regarding Staff

Kate Hellings, Chief People Officer, Penn GSE
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs
Office of Staff and Labor Relations, Division of Human Resources

Complaint regarding Faculty

Susan Yoon, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs, Penn GSE
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs

Complaint regarding Students

Ronika Money Adams, Director of Student Success, Penn GSE
Office of the Vice Provost for University Life
Penn Housing Services (* for students)
The Center for Community Standards and Accountability (* for students)

III. Degree Requirements

A. Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)

1. Course Requirements

Master of Science in Education degree programs require 10-20 course units (CUs). Your academic advisor will assist in planning an appropriate program of study to meet degree requirements. All students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

To earn an M.S.Ed. degree, a student must complete the appropriate number of courses units required for their program and pass a master’s comprehensive examination, thesis, or portfolio.

All courses completed for this degree must be at the 5000 level or above in any discipline across the University. Courses must be completed for a letter grade unless noted otherwise in the graduate catalog.

2. Advising and Satisfactory Progress

Each student will be assigned an academic advisor upon enrollment. A student will work with their advisor in the first semester of the first year of study to plan their curriculum. The advisor may assist in selecting courses, provide academic advising, and monitor academic progress. Students are not required to consult the advisor to register for classes*; therefore, it is solely the student’s responsibility to ensure that all degree requirements are completed.

All master’s students are reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate their progress. Evaluation is based on a review of coursework, fieldwork, and completion of degree milestones.

Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from the program. A lack of satisfactory progress is indicated by, but not limited to:

two grades of “Unsatisfactory” (either UP or U). Students should communicate closely with their advisor or dissertation chair to understand the conditions for earning a grade of “Satisfactory” (either S or SP). For more information on these grades, please visit the section on Penn GSE Grading Policies.
not successfully completing each degree milestone
a cumulative GPA below 3.0

*Note: some executive-format programs complete registration for students on their behalf.

3. Distribution Requirement

Candidates for the M.S.Ed. degree must demonstrate knowledge of the field of education beyond their chosen area of specialization. This requirement is met by satisfying a distribution requirement. To meet the distribution requirement, students must complete one approved graduate level (5000 and above) Penn GSE course outside the student’s area of specialization, earning a grade of B or better. Students should check with their program staff for a list of courses approved to fulfill the distribution requirement. Further requirements regarding these courses may be specified by each program.

Note: For programs with a set curriculum, such as Executive format programs, the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program and the Urban Teaching Residency Program, the distribution requirement has been incorporated into the series of courses required for the program.

4. Culminating Experience: Comprehensive Exam, Capstone Project, or Portfolio

Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by passing a culminating experience in their area of study. These culminating experiences may take the form of a capstone project, an exam, a portfolio, or other. It serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review and integrate what they have learned in their coursework and program-specific fieldwork. All culminating experiences are administered in accordance with the rules outlined in the Code of Academic Integrity. The faculty in each specialization determines the appropriate examination or capstone format and is responsible for communicating the guidelines, expectations, rationale, and evaluation criteria to students. Students may be asked to do one or more of the following: take a timed, written examination administered at Penn GSE, complete a take-home examination, complete a capstone project, submit a portfolio, or undertake a field project.

If a sit-down examination is given, it must be at least three hours in duration. Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the comprehensive examination. Students who are unsuccessful after two tries will be withdrawn from the degree program.

To qualify for a culminating experience, students must first fulfill the following requirements:

Be registered for the term in which they apply to take the exam.
Exam cannot be taken or capstone cannot be completed until all grades of Incomplete have been rendered final grades or the student has written documentation that they will be taking a permanent incomplete in the course.
Hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at the time of the culminating experience.
Demonstrate that there is no outstanding tuition owed for terms before taking the exam.

There may be additional criteria from the program required to take the comprehensive exams. Check with the program staff or faculty advisor. Students should check with their program staff or advisor regarding the timing of when they should undertake their culminating experience.

5. Transfer Credit

Penn GSE does not allow the transfer of credit toward M.S.Ed. degree programs except in the following scenarios:

The student has completed a graduate-level EDUC (or other Penn GSE subject code) course as a Penn GSE General Admission student before matriculation into a Penn GSE master’s degree. In this scenario, no more than two course units taken under Penn GSE General Admission status can count towards a Penn GSE degree. Penn GSE courses taken as part of a previously earned degree, either at Penn GSE or a different Penn School, will not count toward a new Penn GSE master’s degree.
The student has completed a non-credit Penn GSE certificate program prior to matriculating as a degree student and the certificate program has been approved as eligible for transfer credit by the Division Chair of the degree program and the Vice Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs. Certificate programs that have been approved for transfer credit will be noted on the Penn GSE website. In this scenario, the certificate may count toward one course unit toward the total course unit requirement for the degree.
No academic work done while the student was an undergraduate will be counted toward a graduate degree with the exception of courses taken when the student was an official Accelerated Student in the Graduate School of Education.
The student has completed a certification-only program within Penn GSE’s Urban Teaching Residency Program. If that student later enrolls in the Urban Education, M.S.Ed. program, the student will be permitted to transfer in one course unit from the certification-only program toward the Urban Education, M.S.Ed.
The LGIS and TESOL programs may allow 1-2 graduate-level courses to transfer into degree program under the following conditions:
- If the desired course is to be taken after matriculation in a degree program at Penn GSE, the course must be approved by the program and the student’s advisor.
- Courses taken at other Penn schools before matriculating at Penn GSE cannot be counted
- Students must matriculate at least one semester before submitting the transfer of credit form.
- Transfer credit will only be granted if the grade received is a “B” or higher.
- Non-letter grades are not transferrable.
- Fill out the appropriate internal or external transfer credit request. You will be required to submit a syllabus from the transfer course.
- EDUC subject code courses taken under “Penn General Admission” status do not need to be transferred. They can count towards the degree if the program sends approval to SRO prior to the graduation audit.

6. Time Limitation

A maximum of six consecutive years from the date of matriculation in a master’s degree program will be allowed for completion of the work for the master’s degree, including satisfactory completion of all examinations required. Official leaves of absence will not change this time limit, except under certain conditions. Leaves of absence that stop the time limitation clock are only approved by the Office of Student Success and will be documented in writing when the leave is granted. After the six-year mark, students will be withdrawn from the program. Any requests to extend beyond the time limit is considered an exception to policy and thus a petition must be submitted to the Committee on Degrees (COD).

7. Graduation Requirements

The Penn GSE Academic Calendar lists the deadlines for completing degree requirements in order to graduate in any academic term. All degree candidates must apply to graduate to guarantee that their names appear in the commencement program and to ensure they receive the next steps related to alumni status (e.g., setting up an alumni email account, completing an alumni survey, etc.)

All required coursework, including exam/thesis/portfolio, must be complete. All courses must be at or above the 5000 level.

Students must be registered in the term in which they intend to graduate
Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

Penn GSE holds one commencement ceremony each year in May for students who will be receiving their degrees in that academic year’s fall, spring, or summer term (e.g. For Academic Year 2026-2027, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 graduates are eligible to walk in the May 2027 Penn GSE commencement ceremony). Students will not receive a diploma at the ceremony. The diploma is mailed after the confirmation of degree completion by the University Registrar. Participation in the ceremony does not guarantee a degree; only completion of all degree requirements will result in confirmation of degree completion.

The University requires that students who have completed all their degree requirements be conferred their degree.

B. Master of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed.): Quantitative Methods

1. Background and Requirements

The Master of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed.), with a specialization in Quantitative Methods (QM), is designed for professionals who have already earned a relevant conventional master's degree, and who wish to advance their mastery of scale development and validation, research design and controlled field trials, multivariate statistical analyses, and the production of high-quality evidence for decision-making in public and organizational policy. Emphasis is placed on mentored research. This program requires 16 CUs and a comprehensive examination. However, students who have completed Penn GSE’s M.S.Ed. degree in Statistics, Measurement, Assessment, and Research Technology (SMART) will be able to apply the coursework completed for the SMART degree toward the M.Phil.Ed. degree, thereby needing to complete only an additional 6 CUs to earn the M.Phil.Ed degree. Students who have earned relevant master’s degrees at other institutions will be allowed to transfer up to 4 applicable courses toward the minimum of 16 courses required for the M.Phil.Ed degree.

The M.Phil.Ed. degree curriculum prepares graduates for mid-level research and evaluation positions in education, other professional fields, and the social sciences. Although it also prepares students to pursue further graduate study at the Ph.D. level, students who matriculate for the M.Phil.Ed. degree ordinarily will be most interested in earning the M.Phil.Ed. degree to enhance their career prospects at this level and will not be inclined to seek more advanced study at the doctoral level.

Graduates are prepared to design, apply and interpret measures of attitude, behavior, and other social science, education and related phenomena; to validate, scale and equate such measures; to plan and conduct controlled field experiments; to apply and interpret advanced univariate and multivariate statistics; to evaluate programs and policies through quantitative studies; and to disseminate and interpret results for understanding and policy development. Relevant positions are found in city and state educational research institutions, public and private research organizations, medical and pharmaceutical organizations, and state and federal criminal justice systems.

The M.Phil.Ed. degree is ideal for students who wish to prepare for research careers in education and related fields. This degree can be completed in one academic year of full-time study. Graduate study leading to the M.Phil.Ed. degree studies in QM includes coursework, a research apprenticeship, and a written comprehensive examination.

2. Coursework

The core content of coursework includes advanced statistical methods, measurement, research design, and completion of an independent research project.

3. Advising and Satisfactory Progress

Each student will be assigned an academic advisor upon enrollment. A student will work with their advisor in the first semester of the first year of study to plan their curriculum. The advisor may assist in selecting courses, provide academic advising, and monitor academic progress. Students are not required to consult the advisor to register for classes; therefore, it is solely the student’s responsibility to ensure that all degree requirements are completed

All master’s students are reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate their progress. Evaluation is based on a review of coursework, fieldwork, and completion of degree milestones.

Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from the program. A lack of satisfactory progress is indicated by, but not limited to:

two grades of “Unsatisfactory” (either UP or U). Students should communicate closely with their advisor or dissertation chair to understand the conditions for earning a grade of “Satisfactory” (either S or SP). For more information on these grades, please visit the section on Penn GSE Grading Policies.
not successfully completing each degree milestone
a cumulative GPA below 3.0

Students should take the initiative in providing their advisor with evidence of continuous progress each term; in the absence of such evidence, advisors may apprise themselves of their advisee’s status each term and recommend a student for withdrawal if satisfactory progress is not maintained.

4. Written Comprehensive Examination

Toward the end of completion of course requirements, M.Phil.Ed. degree students are required to pass a written three-hour comprehensive examination in the core content of the M.Phil.Ed. curriculum. Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the comprehensive examination. Students who are unsuccessful after two tries will be withdrawn from the degree program. In order to qualify to take the examination, students must first fulfill the following requirements:

a. Be formally admitted to the M.Phil.Ed. degree program in Quantitative Methods.
b. Be registered for the term in which they apply to take the exam.
c. Exam cannot be taken until all grades of Incomplete have been rendered final grades or the student has written documentation that they will be taking a permanent incomplete in the course.
d. Hold a GPA of 3.0 or better at the time of the exam.
e. Demonstrate that there is no outstanding tuition owed for terms prior to taking the exam.

5. Transfer Credit

As stated in the Background and Requirements for the Master of Philosophy in Education, students in this program can apply for transfer credit on a limited basis. Students who have completed Penn GSE’s M.S.Ed. degree in Statistics, Measurement, Assessment, and Research Technology (SMART) will be able to apply the coursework completed for the SMART degree toward the M.Phil.Ed. degree, thereby needing to complete only an additional six CUs to earn the M.Phil.Ed degree. Students who have earned relevant master’s degrees at other institutions will be allowed to transfer up to four applicable, graduate-level courses toward the minimum of 16 courses required for the M.Phil.Ed. degree.

6. Time Limitation

7. Graduation Requirements

The Penn GSE Academic Calendar lists the deadlines for completing degree requirements in order to graduate in any academic term. All degree candidates must apply to graduate to guarantee that their names appear in the commencement program and to ensure they receive the next steps related to alumni status (e.g., setting up an alumni email account, completing an alumni survey, etc.)

All required coursework, including exam/thesis/portfolio, must be complete. All courses must be at or above the 5000 level.

a. Students must be registered in the term in which they intend to graduate
b. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

The University requires that students who have completed all their degree requirements be conferred their degree.

C. Master of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed.): Professional Counseling

1. Background and Requirements

This program prepares students to become Certified School Counselors and/or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). This two-year program is designed to provide the highest level of counselor preparation for work in schools, community mental health agencies, universities, and private practice. The program requires 20 course units (CU) plus a required oral clinical comprehensive examination and a written report of that examination.

2. Practicum

In the first year of the program, a student will be required to complete a 200-hour practicum in a counseling setting. The practicum experience gives students the opportunity to not only see counselors in various professional settings, but to begin implementing strategies and techniques with the support and supervision of skilled professionals. The student may or may not be compensated for services rendered under the practicum. Students receive supervision both on-site and in a small seminar group format. This combination of field placement and classroom discourse enables students to learn and practice counseling skills with deep, ongoing professional support.

3. Internship

An integral part of the learning experience is the completion of a 600-hour internship in a counseling setting. The nature of the internship will vary based upon the student’s interests. The purpose of the internship is to provide students with clinical experience on an ongoing basis during the course of their M.Phil.Ed. studies. The internship is arranged by mutual agreement of the student, the student’s academic advisor, the PC internship course instructor, and the supervisor at the field site (who must be at least a licensed master’s-level mental health professional). The student may or may not be compensated for services rendered under the internship experience. Performance in the internship must be rated as satisfactory via a first-semester evaluation process based upon the assessment of the student’s progress by the field site supervisor, the student’s academic advisor, and the PC program faculty. Satisfactory performance in the first half of the student’s coursework is a prerequisite for admission to the Oral and Written Clinical Comprehensive Examination for the M.Phil.Ed. degree.

4. Comprehensive Exam

The Oral Clinical Comprehensive Examination process for the M.Phil.Ed. program is designed to assess the student’s working knowledge of the three major themes of the program: (1) applied counseling/clinical services; (2) understanding of clients’ cultures and contexts; and (3) lifespan human development. The examination assesses the student’s competence in using and integrating applied skills in settings where counselors work. The clinical examination uses a case presentation format to evaluate the student’s level of competency as a counselor, which is considered the capstone of the program.

Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the capstone. Students who are unsuccessful after two tries will be withdrawn from the degree program. In order to qualify to take present their capstone, students must first fulfill the following requirements:

a. Be registered for the term in which they apply to take the exam.

b. Have completed the program’s required course units or be enrolled in the final term of required coursework.

c. Additionally, the capstone cannot be completed until all grades of Incomplete have been rendered final grades or the student has written documentation that they will be taking a permanent incomplete in the course.

d. Hold a GPA of 3.0 or better at the time of the exam.

e. Demonstrate that there is no outstanding tuition owed for terms prior to taking the exam.

5. Transfer Credit

In accordance with licensing requirements, the Professional Counseling, M. Phil. does not allow for any courses to be transferred into the degree program.

6. Time Limitation

7. Graduation Requirements

All required coursework, including exam/thesis/portfolio, must be complete. All courses must be at or above the 5000 level.

Students must be registered in the term in which they intend to graduate
Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

The University requires that students who have completed all their degree requirements be conferred their degree.

D. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

1. Purpose of Degree

The Doctor of Education degree is intended for students who are interested in the application of scholarship and research to educational endeavors. Coursework, examinations, and the dissertation emphasize the reflective use of research as the basis of informed educational practice. Students are required to attain comprehensive knowledge of education, intensive knowledge of an area of specialization, skills in critical evaluation of research pertinent to the specialization, and proficiency in the planning and execution of research on topics in the practice of education.

2. Course Requirements

At least 15 course units (CUs) of graduate work must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania for the Ed.D. degree. One course must be a research seminar in the area of specialization.

Courses must be completed for a letter grade unless noted otherwise in the graduate catalog.

3. Transfer of Credit

Penn GSE will, under certain conditions, accept equivalent graduate-level credit toward the degree if the credit has been earned within the preceding 10-year period.

For the Higher Education and Literacy Studies Ed.D. programs up to eight graduate-level CUs taken at Penn GSE, Penn, or another institution, may count toward the Ed.D. degree to fulfill the degree requirements
For the Educational Linguistics, Ed.D., up to 4 graduate-level CUs taken from another institution or up to 8 graduate-level CUs taken at Penn may count toward the Ed.D.
For the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education, the Penn Chief Learning Officer Program, and the Mid-Career Doctorate in Educational Leadership, no prior graduate-level credit is transferred into these programs.

Transfer credit is not automatically accepted or applied toward the doctoral degree. Students must follow formal procedures to request the application of transfer credit toward Penn GSE degree requirements. The acceptance of transfer credits does not override specialization requirements. In order to receive transfer credit students must have earned a grade of at least B or above for all courses. Grades of “Satisfactory” or “Pass” are not transferable. No academic work done while the student was an undergraduate will be counted toward a graduate degree with the exception of courses taken when the student was an official Accelerated Student in the Graduate School of Education. EDUC subject code courses taken under Penn GSE General Admission status do not count against the course units that can be transferred. They can count towards the degree if the program sends approval to SRO prior to graduation audit.

The following conditions apply to transfer of credit:

For graduate-level courses taken more than 10 years prior to admission to the Ed.D. program, within or outside the University, students must show that:

a grade of B or above was earned;
the faculty advisor and the division chair agree that the courses are acceptable. For example, some programs may require that students have engaged in academic activity after completing the previous courses to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the field of study.
when there is not agreement between the student’s advisor and division chair, the student must pass an examination in the content areas for which credit is requested.

Process for Approval of Transfer of Credit:

Students must be enrolled in a degree program before a request for transfer of credit can be considered. To request transfer of credit, students must:

Obtain the appropriate Request for Approval of Transfer of Credit form.
Complete the form in consultation with their advisor and obtain the necessary approvals from the advisor and division. Ed.D. students should discuss the transfer of credit with their advisor after at least their first year of study.
Submit an official copy of the transcript.

Transfer credits will reflect on your transcript but will not count toward your GPA.

4. Residency Requirement

There is no residency requirement for Ed.D. students in the Graduate School of Education. Students need to be continuously registered as is consistent with all degree programs at Penn GSE.

5. Advising and Satisfactory Progress

Each student will be assigned an advisor upon enrollment. A student will work with their advisor in the first semester of the first year of study to plan their curriculum. The advisor may assist in selecting courses, provide academic advising, and monitor academic progress.

When a doctoral student has formed a dissertation committee, the committee chair automatically becomes the student’s advisor. In executive-format Ed.D. programs, a student’s initial advisor is the program director. The program will select a dissertation committee chair for students.

All doctoral students are reviewed annually, which includes meeting with their advisor to review progress and a written communication issued by the program outlining student progress and plans for completion of the degree. Annual evaluation is based on a review of coursework, completion of degree milestones, and evidence of performance in assigned graduate assistantship (if required by program). Additionally, traditional-format Ed.D. students will be asked to complete a self-evaluation, though timing and form of the self-evaluation may vary by program.

Note that degree milestones, such as the Qualifications Evaluation, Preliminary Exam, and Oral Proposal, along with graduate assistantships, serve as formal measures of satisfactory progress toward degree requirements. Failure to meet these milestones will result in the student being withdrawn from the program.

Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from the program. A lack of satisfactory progress is indicated by, but not limited to:

two grades of “Unsatisfactory” (either UP or U). Students should communicate closely with their advisor or dissertation chair to understand the conditions for earning a grade of “Satisfactory” (either S or SP). For more information on these grades, please visit the section on Penn GSE Grading Policies.
not successfully completing each degree milestone
a cumulative GPA below 3.0

6. Time Limitation for Completing Ed.D. Requirements

Ed.D. students will be withdrawn after 12 years. Only family, medical, and military leaves of absence will extend this degree time limitation and must be processed through the Office of Student Success. Any requests to extend beyond the time limit is considered an exception to policy and thus a petition must be submitted to the Committee on Degrees (COD).

7. Evaluations and Examinations

a. Qualifications Evaluation (also known as Program Candidacy)

The purpose of program candidacy is to provide rigorous review and feedback to Ed.D. students regarding their academic progress within the first two years of study. Program candidacy is a prerequisite to doctoral candidacy. Minimum school-wide criteria are described below. Additional requirements about the timing, process, and materials for program candidacy review may be further specified by each specialization. Check with your academic advisor or program staff for details.

b. Timing for Qualifications Evaluation (Program Candidacy)

For traditional Ed.D. programs and the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, the qualifications evaluation must be completed after the completion of 6, but not more than 8 CUs, and no later than the fourth semester of coursework.

For the Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, the qualifications evaluation will occur at the beginning of a student’s second year in the program.

For the Penn Chief Learning Officer program, the qualifications evaluation will take place after 12 course units, after which the student will be assessed for eligibility to continue in coursework.

c. Procedure for Qualifications Evaluation

Program faculty reviews the student
Program faculty votes whether to advance the student to program candidacy.
The student is given feedback in conference or in writing about the decision, their performance and future course of study.

Eligibility to continue in the program will be assessed according to the following criteria: satisfactory performance in courses as shown by the student’s Penn GSE transcript and faculty recommendations; a coherent program of study and prospectus; and a demonstration of the ability to do research as demonstrated by a research paper.

Students who are recommended for program candidacy are permitted to continue in the program. Students who do not pass program candidacy are withdrawn from the degree program.

d. Appeal of Qualifications Evaluation

Students may appeal to the division chair if the program faculty does not admit them to program candidacy by contacting the division chair directly. Students may appeal to the Committee on Degrees if the division does not admit them to program candidacy.

e. Preliminary Examination (Doctoral Candidacy)

The preliminary examination is a means of testing of knowledge in the candidate’s area of specialization. The examination requires students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as specified by the academic program. The format of the examination varies from program to program, but must include at least six hours of examination, at least three hours of which must be written. All examinations are administered in accordance with the rules set forth in the Code of Academic Integrity. Students should consult their advisor about the particular form of the examination they will take. Doctoral candidacy is conferred upon successful completion of the doctoral preliminary examination.

Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the preliminary examination. If they are unsuccessful after two tries, they will be withdrawn from the doctoral program.

To be eligible to take the preliminary examination students must:

i. Have been admitted to program candidacy
ii. Have the recommendation of their advisor
iii. Submit evidence satisfactory to the advisor of ability to do research in their area of specialization
iv. Be registered for the term in which the exam is taken
v. For traditional Ed.D. students (not in an executive-format Ed.D. program): Have completed all coursework or be in the last year of coursework.
vi. Exam cannot be taken until all grades of Incomplete have been rendered final grades or the student has written documentation that they will be taking a permanent incomplete in the course.
Note that students are not permitted to take a permanent incomplete in the following programs: Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Penn Chief Learning Officer.
vii. Hold a GPA of 3.0 or better at the time of the exam.
viii. Demonstrate that there is no outstanding tuition owed for terms prior to taking the exam.
ix. If applicable, register to take the preliminary examination.

Doctoral candidacy is conferred upon successful completion of the doctoral preliminary examination. Students must successfully pass the preliminary examination before defending their Oral Proposal.

8. Dissertation Status

For more information on dissertation status and details related to registration in dissertation status, please visit the page in Course Registration here.

9. Continuous Registration

For more information on continuous registration and its effects on the Ed.D. degree, please visit the page in Course Registration here.

10. The Dissertation

The dissertation is the final degree requirement for the Ed.D. degree. While the minimum requirements are outlined below, your specific program may have a more detailed process. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all guidelines for the dissertation both at the program and school level are followed and satisfactorily completed.

a. Forming a Dissertation Committee

Students must consult with their advisor for assistance in selecting a group of at least three people with earned doctorates to serve as the dissertation committee. The dissertation committee is responsible for evaluating their proposal for dissertation research, for supervising the preparation of a dissertation on an approved problem, and for evaluating the dissertation. Committee members should be selected on the basis of their relationship to the dissertation content. This process typically happens near the end of coursework and/or around the time of the preliminary examination. The dissertation committee needs to be fully approved at the school level before a student can hold an oral proposal hearing. Without an approved committee, any hearing that takes place will not be counted as a completed milestone for the student.

The chair of an Ed.D. dissertation committee must be approved to chair Ed.D. dissertations, and at least one member of the committee must belong to the Ed.D Graduate Group. View our list of faculty authorized to chair Ed.D. dissertation committees and the Ed.D. Graduate Group. Students should see their academic advisor for specific information.

Note: for executive-format Ed.D. programs, the program will select a committee chair for students.

b. Approval Process for a Dissertation Committee

To formalize the committee, submit a Penn Graduate Forms request for Milestone: Committee Formation (under Available Forms). At the same time, you may submit your Oral Proposal Scheduling request form, however, you are not required to do so. The committee must be formally approved before your oral proposal hearing date. Allow at least three weeks for the request to be reviewed by the Director of Academic Affairs. To request a change in dissertation committee, students must update the Milestone: Committee Formation form and submit for review again. Changes to the committee must also be approved by the Director of Academic Affairs.

c. Procedure for Oral Proposal of Dissertation

All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in-person, virtually, or in a hybrid format to the dissertation committee. To schedule the oral proposal, the student must:

Already have submitted dissertation committee approval request (see Approval Process for a Dissertation Committee section above).
Decide with the committee members on a day, date, and time to hold the proposal hearing.
Submit the Scheduling of Oral Proposal Hearing Form at least two weeks in advance of the date the hearing is to take place. The Student Records Office will assign a room for the proposal hearing and notify the student, the committee members, and program staff. The notice will also be posted on the Penn GSE calendar, the second-floor bulletin boards within the Penn GSE building, and the building monitors. If a hearing is virtual or hybrid, it will be up to the student and the program to ensure that a proper virtual hearing is set up and that all stakeholders have the information for the hearing.
All members of the dissertation committee are required to attend the oral proposal hearing.
Having passed the oral proposal, the student will submit a Penn GSE Dissertation Hearing/Defense Ballot to collect committee members’ digital approval. This will notify SRO to update the transcript with the date the successful hearing was held.

At the oral proposal hearing, the dissertation committee will review the proposal with the student and help refine the proposed dissertation project. The committee will vote on the proposal and indicate any revisions that might be required before the student may be allowed to proceed with the dissertation research. Oral proposal hearings are not normally held during the summer. Candidates who wish to have the oral proposal hearing during the summer must secure the approval of all committee members. If approval is granted, the student will be required to register for courses or for Dissertation (EDUC 9950) and pay tuition for the summer session in which the oral proposal hearing is held. Students must complete all remaining requirements for the degree within the time allotted for the Ed.D. degree. For an extension of time to complete the dissertation, please see above description of Ed.D. degree time limits.

d. Penn GSE Standards for the Oral Proposal

Your committee will determine whether you pass your oral proposal hearing. Your proposal must pass the following criteria:

The topic is stated clearly and relevant background literature is reviewed and evaluated.
The research question(s) are stated clearly.
The contribution and importance of the research question(s) with respect to relevant literature, theory, policy, and/or practice are articulated in a convincing manner.
The research plan and methods are appropriate and adequate to study the research question(s) posed and are explicitly described.

The general expectation is that a document containing the above information is sent prior to the hearing to the entire dissertation committee for review. Exceptions to this expectation should be agreed upon by the entire dissertation committee. The committee chair must ensure that the oral proposal hearing is not scheduled until the student meets all the above criteria.

e. Research on Human Subjects

After passing the oral proposal hearing and obtaining permission to start the dissertation project, students must obtain University approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before they may conduct research on human subjects for their dissertation study. Since education research generally involves little or no risk to the participants, the University permits Penn GSE students to apply for an expedited review by the IRB. Detailed information about these procedures is available at the University of Pennsylvania Human Research Protections Program.

f. Dissertation Research Abroad

A student who will conduct dissertation research abroad for the semester registers for Dissertation Research Abroad status. Full tuition is charged to students in years 1-5, reduced tuition to students in years 6-10; a reduced general fee is charged for students on Dissertation Research Abroad regardless of their year.

Note: this above policy does not apply to doctoral students in the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education, the Penn Chief Learning Officer Program, or the Mid-Career Doctorate in Educational Leadership programs.

g. Standards for the Dissertation

The topic is stated clearly and relevant background literature reviewed and evaluated.
The research question(s) are stated clearly.
The contribution and importance of the research question(s) with respect to relevant literature, theory, policy, and/or practice are articulated in a convincing manner.
The research plan and methods are appropriate and adequate to study the research question(s) posed and are explicitly described.
The research plan and methods are implemented effectively.
The research produced trustworthy evidence that bears on the research question(s).
The conclusions follow convincingly from the evidence and its interpretation.
The dissertation manuscript is coherent, well structured, clearly written, and is formatted in accordance with the Ed.D. Dissertation Manual.
With appropriate revisions, the dissertation is of sufficient quality to be publishable in an academic or practice-oriented journal that is peer reviewed.

h. Formatting the Dissertation

The dissertation must be formatted in compliance with the Ed.D. Dissertation Manual. Use of the Ed.D. Dissertation Template is strongly encouraged.

11. Final Defense of the Dissertation

The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length, depending upon the candidate’s dissertation. The public is welcome to attend these presentations. A private discussion for certain periods of the defense may also be granted as per the decision of the dissertation committee. All members of the dissertation committee are required to attend the dissertation defense.

The oral proposal hearing and the final defense cannot be completed within the same term. The earliest that a final defense can be held is in the next consecutive term after the oral proposal hearing has been successfully completed.

After agreeing to a successful defense by the candidate, the dissertation committee will recommend the candidate to the faculty of the Graduate Group in Education for the degree of Doctor of Education. After the final defense hearing, the student will submit a Penn GSE Dissertation Hearing/Defense ballot to collect their committee members’ digital approval. Once all committee members have submitted their approval, the Student Records Office will receive a final copy of the ballot and update the student’s record with the date the successful hearing was held.

Final oral examinations are not normally held during the summer. Candidates who wish to have the final oral examination during the summer must secure the approval of all committee members and register for Dissertation Status (EDUC 9950) and pay tuition for the summer session in which the final dissertation defense is held.

Procedure for Scheduling the Final Defense of the Dissertation

To schedule the final defense, the student must:

Mutually agree with the committee members on a day, date and time to hold the defense.
Submit the Final Defense Notification form signed by the dissertation chair and the proposal abstract at least three weeks in advance of the date the hearing is to take place. The Student Records Office will assign a room for the defense hearing and notify the student, the committee members, and the program staff. The notice will also be posted on the Penn GSE calendar, the second-floor bulletin boards within the Penn GSE building, and the building monitors. If a hearing is virtual or hybrid, it will be up to the student and the program to ensure that a proper virtual hearing is set up and that all stakeholders have the information for the hearing.
Tuition is waived the semester after students successfully pass the final defense to finish their revisions to their dissertation manuscript. This waiver is only for one semester and cannot be extended.

12. Submission of the Ed.D. Dissertation

Students should review the Steps for Submission of Ed.D. Dissertations.

13. Certificate of Advanced Study

Students who complete all requirements for a Doctor of Education except the preliminary examination and the dissertation may apply to the Director of Academic Affairs to receive a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS). The CAS is a form of recognition for completing significant doctoral-level study in an educational field. Students who elect to receive a CAS will not be eligible to re-enter a degree program and complete the doctorate at a later date. A CAS may be awarded to students matriculated in the Graduate School of Education who:

are in good standing;
have completed all requirements for an approved doctoral specialization of study except the preliminary examination and the dissertation; and
are recommended by the faculty of the appropriate program.

The certificate contains:

The name of the School and the University;
The name of the student;
The title of the field of specialization in which the advanced study was completed;
The signature of the Dean of the Graduate School of Education.

13. Graduation

The Penn GSE academic calendar lists the deadlines for completing degree requirements in order to graduate in any academic term. All degree candidates must apply to graduate online by the deadline listed on the Penn GSE academic calendar. All degree candidates must apply to graduate to guarantee that their names appear in the commencement program and to ensure they receive the next steps related to alumni status (e.g., setting up an alumni email account, completing an alumni survey, etc.)

Penn GSE holds one commencement ceremony each year in May for students who will be receiving their degrees in that academic year’s fall, spring, or summer term (e.g. For Academic Year 2026-2027, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 graduates are eligible to walk in the May 2026 Penn GSE commencement ceremony). Students will not receive a diploma at the ceremony. The diploma is mailed after the confirmation of degree completion by the University Registrar. Participation in the ceremony does not guarantee a degree; only completion of all degree requirements and a valid application for graduation will result in confirmation of degree completion.

For the Doctoral Hooding ceremony, doctoral graduates need to both be eligible for commencement and have submitted their form to schedule a final defense before the date of the ceremony to be able to participate. (e.g., For Academic Year 2026-2027, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 doctoral graduates who submit their form to schedule their final defense before May 15th, 2027 are eligible to participate in the May 2027 Doctoral Hooding ceremony).

In the Doctoral Hooding ceremony, the student's dissertation committee chair may hood them as a symbolic celebration of their degree completion. In scenarios where the committee chair is unavailable, another member of the student's committee may hood the student. If neither the committee chair nor other committee member is available, the program director may also hood the student. Note: in unique circumstances, Penn GSE may allow the student to elect an immediate family member to hood them if this person is current or emeritus faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.

Tuition is waived for one and only one semester after the student successfully passes the dissertation defense (e.g., for students who defend their dissertation at any point during the fall term, they will receive the tuition fee waiver in the subsequent spring term). Students will remain enrolled in EDUC 9950 even in the term in which they are receiving the tuition waiver.

For more information on tuition waivers and dissertation status, please visit this portion of the Course Registration policy here.

If you intend to graduate in August, these are the important dates to keep in mind:

If you intend to graduate in August but do not want to pay an additional tuition fee, you must complete your final defense by the end of the Spring term as per the Penn GSE academic calendar*. If you defend your dissertation after this deadline, you will have to pay one CU tuition for the summer term, because you have to pay tuition the semester you defend your dissertation. Penn GSE will not pay this tuition fee during the summer, even if you are on a fellowship of any kind. Consult with external fellowships for guidelines on summer tuition payment. An August graduation means that you have deposited the dissertation per the deadlines on the Penn GSE calendar for the Summer term.

The information in the paragraphs below applies only to students in the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education, the Penn Chief Learning Officer Program, or the Mid-Career Doctorate in Educational Leadership programs:

Because these programs follow a different academic calendar, students will have until June 30th to defend their dissertation and still qualify for the free summer term. Students will still need to deposit the dissertation per the deadlines on the Penn GSE calendar for the Summer term if they intend to earn their degree in the summer.

Students must be registered in EDUC 9950 in the summer term to defend and will initially receive a bill. Once the Student Records Office receives the ballot confirming that the defense was successful within the June 30th deadline, the summer term tuition will be waived. Students who move their defense past the June 30th deadline or who are not successful in their defense will be subject to summer tuition. If a student wishes to cancel their summer defense and avoid being billed, they must do so prior to the add deadline of the summer term. The following fall term’s tuition will be waived for those who either defend before the June 30th deadline but don’t deposit their dissertation in the summer term or those who defend after June 30th but prior to the end of the summer term.

E. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Students pursuing their Doctor of Philosophy degree at Penn GSE are subject to both school-specific policy and policy implemented and maintained by the Provost’s Office at the University of Pennsylvania. While much of the below reiterates the Provost’s Office’s policy regarding Ph.D.s, you may also find it outlined here: https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/academic-rules-phd/

1. Purpose of the Degree

The Ph.D. is an intensive, theory-based study of education for scholars who want to pursue careers in research or teaching at colleges and universities. Doctoral students are expected to become competent in both qualitative (action research, case study, ethnographic methods) and quantitative (statistical data analysis, survey research and measurement) research methodologies, Students gain hands-on experience and practical competencies through service-based placements, mentorships, and research assistantships, and undertake independent research culminating in a dissertation that makes an original contribution to knowledge about educational practice or policies.

2. Course Requirements

At least 15 course units (CUs) of graduate work above and beyond the master's degree must be taken at the University of Pennsylvania for the Ph.D. degree. One course must be a research seminar in the area of specialization.

The faculty determines the curricular requirements for its program. The course of study can include a combination of specific required courses, electives, teaching, independent study or laboratory rotations, colloquia, and demonstration through examination of comprehensive knowledge in the major field.

A student who enters the Ph.D. program with a bachelor’s degree will be expected to spend two to three years taking 3-4 course units per semester before satisfying the doctoral group’s academic requirements, passing the required examinations and being advanced to Doctoral Candidacy. Faculty may require more extensive preparation through additional work, especially those programs with substantial language requirements. Students who enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly. Faculty has flexibility to establish the optimal timetable and requirements for their own students and to respond to the specific academic needs of individual students.

The customary maximum load for a Ph.D. student is four course units each semester. For any courseload over four course units, students must obtain permission and submit a request online. A response can be expected within two weeks.

Faculty may establish examination requirements in addition to the University’s standards.

3. Transfer of Credit

Penn GSE will, under certain conditions, accept equivalent credit toward the degree. Up to eight graduate-level CUs taken at Penn GSE, Penn, or another institution, may count toward the Ph.D. degree to fulfill the degree requirements above and beyond the 15 CUs required for the degree. Transfer credit is not automatically accepted or applied toward the doctoral degree. Students must follow formal procedures to request the application of transfer credit toward Penn GSE degree requirements. The acceptance of transfer credits does not override specialization requirements. In order to receive transfer credit students must have earned a grade of at least B for all courses. Grades of “Satisfactory” or “Pass” are not transferable. No academic work done while the student was an undergraduate will be counted toward a graduate degree with the exception of courses taken when the student was an official Accelerated student in the Graduate School of Education. EDUC subject code courses taken under “Penn General Admission” status do not count against the course units which can be transferred. They can count towards the degree if the program sends approval to SRO prior to graduation audit.

The following conditions apply to transfer of credit:

A maximum of eight course units of graduate-level coursework earned at Penn GSE, Penn, or another institution within the preceding 10-year period may be accepted upon recommendation of the program and advisor.

For courses taken more than 10 years prior to admission to the Ph.D. program, within or outside the University, students must show that:

a grade B or above has been earned;
the faculty advisor and the division chair agree that the courses are acceptable; for example, some programs may require that students have engaged in academic activity after completing the previous courses to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the field of study
when there is not agreement between the student’s advisor and division chair, the student must pass an examination in the content areas for which credit is requested.

Process for Approval of Transfer of Credit:

Students must be enrolled in degree program before a request for transfer of credit can be considered. To request transfer of credit, students must:

Obtain the appropriate internal or external transfer request form.
Complete the form in consultation with their advisor and obtain the necessary approvals from the advisor and division. Students should discuss the transfer of credit with their advisor after at least their first year of study.
Submit an official copy of the transcript.

Transfer credits will reflect on your transcript but will not count toward your GPA.

4. Advising and Satisfactory Progress

Each student will be assigned an advisor upon enrollment. The advisor is responsible for helping to plan the program curriculum, guiding the student’s work until completion of coursework and the preliminary examination, and monitoring the student’s academic progress

When a doctoral student has formed a dissertation committee, the committee chair automatically becomes the student’s advisor.

All doctoral students are reviewed annually, which includes meeting with their advisor to review progress and a written communication issued by the program outlining student progress and plans for completion of the degree. Annual evaluation is based on a review of coursework, completion of degree milestones, and evidence of performance in assigned graduate assistantship (if required by program). To facilitate this process, Ph.D. students will be asked to complete a self-evaluation, though timing and form of the self-evaluation may vary by program.

Note that degree milestones, such as the Qualifications Evaluation, Preliminary Exam, and Oral Proposal, along with graduate assistantships, serve as formal measures of satisfactory progress toward degree requirements. Failure to meet these milestones may result in the student being withdrawn from the program.

Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress will be withdrawn from the program. A lack of satisfactory progress is indicated by, but not limited to:

two grades of “Unsatisfactory” (either UP or U). Students should communicate closely with their advisor or dissertation chair to understand the conditions for earning a grade of “Satisfactory” (either S or SP). For more information on these grades, please visit the section on Penn GSE Grading Policies.
not successfully completing each degree milestone
a cumulative GPA below 3.0

5. Evaluations and Examinations

a. Qualifications Evaluation (Program Candidacy)

The evaluation is designed by the program faculty and may be based on an examination or on a review of a student’s overall academic progress. Satisfaction of this requirement is necessary in order to continue in the graduate program and is recorded in the student’s academic record. The student and the Student Records Office must be notified of the outcome of the evaluation.

b. Timing for Qualifications Evaluation

Program candidacy review must be completed after completion of six, but not more than eight CUs, and no later than the fourth semester of coursework.

c. Procedure for Qualifications Evaluation

The following is the procedure used by faculty to determine whether a student is qualified for program candidacy:

Program faculty reviews the student dossier, which includes a record of academic performance in coursework, evidence of performance in assigned graduate assistantship or fellowship (if required by program), written examination (if required by program), faculty assessment and recommendations, other relevant documentation demonstrating scholarly research activities.
A student dossier must demonstrate satisfactory performance in all academic and research components required by their programs in order to be recommended for candidacy.
Program faculty votes whether to admit students to program candidacy.
The student is given feedback in conference and in writing about the decision, their performance, and future course of study.

Students who are recommended for program candidacy are permitted to continue in the program. Students who do not pass program candidacy are withdrawn from the degree program.

d. Appeal of Qualifications Evaluation

e. Candidacy Examination (Doctoral Candidacy)

A Candidacy Examination on the major subject area is required. This examination is normally held after the candidate has completed all required courses. Feedback will be provided to the student within one month, if the exam is completed in the fall or spring terms. Satisfactory completion of the Candidacy Examination requirement is recorded in the student’s academic record in the term of successful completion. Upon successful completion of the Candidacy Examination, the student is advanced to Doctoral Candidacy. Typically, a student should advance to candidacy by the end of the third year. The maximum time limit for a student to be advanced to candidacy is five years (exclusive of approved leaves of absence), after which time the student will be withdrawn from the program.

Doctoral candidacy is conferred upon successful completion of the candidacy examination (formerly doctoral preliminary examination).

The Ph.D. student must pass a candidacy examination in the field of the student’s major subject. The candidacy examination is a test of knowledge in the student's area of specialization, requiring students to demonstrate knowledge and reasoning in the key content areas in their specialization as defined by their academic division, including:

depth and breadth of familiarity with the literature in their field of study
synthesis of material across core content courses taken in the doctoral program
ability to critically analyze issues in the field
knowledge and understanding of the intellectual domains and research paradigms relevant to their field of study
the ability to present cogent arguments including the effective use of evidence

The following conditions apply to committee selection and candidacy examination attempts:

Members of the Ph.D. examination committees must be drawn from the Penn GSE standing or secondary faculty.
Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the candidacy examination; if they are unsuccessful after two tries, they will be withdrawn from the doctoral program.

To be eligible to take the candidacy examination, students must:

Have passed the Qualifications Evaluation;
Have the recommendation of their advisor;
Submit evidence satisfactory to the advisor of capacity to do research in their area of specialization;
Be registered for the term in which the exam is taken;
Register to take the candidacy examination by the deadline listed in the academic calendar.

Examination results should be communicated to students within four weeks of the date the examination was taken, if completed in the fall or spring term. Students must successfully pass the candidacy examination before defending their Oral Proposal.

6. Time Limitation

Beginning in 2010-11, the University’s maximum time limit for completion is ten years after matriculation, including coursework, exams, and completion of the dissertation. Students will be reviewed annually, which includes meeting with their advisors to review progress and the writing of a report by the program outlining the student’s progress and plans for completion of the degree within 4 years. This report is to be placed in the student’s file. Official leaves of absence will not automatically change these time limits. Leaves of absence that stop the time limitation clock are only approved by the Office of Student Success and will be documented in writing when the leave is granted.

Ph.D. students after 10 years will be withdrawn. At this point, the student may request to be readmitted to the program for a maximum of one year in order to achieve recertification and defend the dissertation. The faculty has no obligation to continue working with a student who has been dropped, nor is there any presumption that the program or graduate group will respond favorably to an application for readmission. If the faculty wishes to recommend readmission, it must present to the graduate group chair a list of faculty members willing to serve as a dissertation committee and a detailed, realistic plan of how the student will, within one year of reenrollment, achieve recertification, pass the dissertation examination, and submit the final copy of the dissertation. If re-enrollment is approved by the graduate group chair, such a student must pay reduced rate tuition for two semesters, unless all requirements are completed within one semester. Students may petition for readmission at the time they are dropped from the program, or at a later date. The student should be fully ready and committed to completing within a one-year timeframe; enrollment will not be extended beyond that final year, and no further petition for readmission will be considered by the University.

7. Recertification

If the Graduate Group and Graduate Dean approve the petition for readmission, the student must immediately be recertified. In order to ensure that a student’s dissertation research remains at the frontier of current research in the field, the student must retake and pass the Candidacy Examination, or satisfy alternative recertification criteria designed by their Graduate Group and approved by the Graduate Council of the Faculties. The new deadline for completion of all requirements for the Ph.D., including recertification, shall be within one year.

Ph.D. students in the Graduate Group who have not completed all their degree requirements within the University’s maximum time limit must submit a progress report and plan to their dissertation committee. The purpose of this report/plan is:

to document which degree requirements the student has completed;
to provide a rationale for why they have been unable to complete all the requirements within the time limit and to provide a timeline/ schedule of steps for completion of the remaining requirements within a one-year extension.

The student’s chair and a majority of their dissertation committee must review and approve the progress report and plan. The student must then submit the progress report and plan to the Committee on Degrees for their review and approval. The student must re-take a preliminary exam that documents familiarity with the current status of their field.

Note: the above modified in accordance with Pennbook language from https://catalog.upenn.edu/pennbook/academic-rules-phd/. Changes to the above process must first be brought to the Graduate Council of the Faculties.

8. Dissertation Status

For more information on dissertation status and details related to registration in dissertation status, please visit the page in Course Registration here.

9. Continuous Registration

For more information on continuous registration and its effects on the Ph.D. degree, please visit the page in Course Registration here.

10. The Dissertation

The final stage and culmination of doctoral study is preparation of a dissertation. The dissertation is an independently produced piece of original research on a problem in education prepared under the supervision of a dissertation committee. The student should meet with their dissertation committee at least once a year to ensure sufficient progress. The dissertation should show high attainment and power of independent research and represent a significant contribution to human knowledge. A Penn GSE Ph.D. dissertation should include:

A research problem that is clearly located in the relevant literature;
A research question(s) or research hypothesis(es);
A theoretical orientation or conceptual framework that is used to provide some of the background and rationale for:
- a description of the significance of the dissertation research, and the selection of the research methods approach(es) chosen to investigate the research question(s) or hypothesis(es);
- Description of approach(es)/method(s);
- Data presentation and analysis (i.e., findings, results); and
- Implications for theory, policy, practice, and/or further research.

Dissertations based on joint work with other researchers are allowed, provided that, in such cases, a unique and separate dissertation is presented by each degree candidate. The candidate must include a concise account of their contribution to the whole work. Authorship of an entire dissertation by more than one degree candidate is not allowed.

a. Forming a Dissertation Committee

Students must complete the doctoral candidacy and minor examinations before seeking formal approval for a dissertation committee. Upon advancement to candidacy, each student has a Dissertation Committee consisting of at least three faculty members (including at least two members of the Ph.D. Education Graduate Group, one of whom is the chair of the committee). The third member may be a scholar external to the University of Pennsylvania with a doctoral degree, including a qualified individual who does not hold faculty rank at a college or university. To include an external member on their dissertation committee, students must have approval from the committee chair and the Director of Academic Affairs. If the dissertation committee has more than three members, a majority (or at least half) of the members must belong to the Ph.D. Education Graduate Group.

The Dissertation Committee meets at least once annually with the student to review the student’s progress. The student prepares an Annual Dissertation Progress Report and the committee gives timely feedback (within one month) and confirms whether progress is satisfactory. A copy of the signed progress report is submitted to the Supervisor/Advisor and Graduate Group Chair and is documented by the school in the student’s academic record.

One person is designated the chair. The chair of a Ph.D. dissertation committee must be both a member of the standing faculty and a member of the Graduate Group in Education. The dissertation committee chair becomes the official faculty advisor.

b. Approval Process for the Dissertation Committee

Allow at least three weeks for the request to be reviewed by the Director of Academic Affairs. To request a change in dissertation committee, students must update the Milestone: Committee Formation form and submit for review again. Changes to the committee must also be approved by the Director of Academic Affairs.

c. Procedure for Oral Proposal of the Dissertation

All doctoral candidates must present their dissertation proposals orally and in-person, virtually via video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams), or in a hybrid format with some individuals participating remotely and some in-person. To schedule the oral proposal, the student must:

Already have submitted Dissertation Committee Approval Request (see Approval Process for a Dissertation Committee section above).
Decide with the committee members on a day, date, and time to hold the proposal.
Submit the Scheduling of Oral Proposal Hearing Form at least three weeks in advance of the date the hearing is to take place. The Student Records Office will assign a room for the proposal hearing and notify the student, the committee members, and the program staff. The notice will also be posted on the Penn GSE calendar, the second-floor bulletin boards, and the building monitors. If a hearing is virtual or hybrid, it will be up to the student and the program to ensure that a proper virtual hearing is set up and that all stakeholders have the information for the hearing. All members of the dissertation committee are required to attend the oral proposal hearing.
Having passed the oral proposal, the student will submit a Penn GSE Dissertation Hearing/Defense Ballot to collect committee members’ digital approval, which will notify SRO to update the transcript with the date the successful hearing was held.

Oral proposal hearings are not normally held during the summer. Candidates who wish to have the oral proposal hearing during the summer must secure the approval of all committee members. If approval is granted, the student will be required to register for courses or for Dissertation (EDUC 9950) and pay the Ed.D. tuition rate for the summer session in which the oral proposal hearing is held. Students must complete all remaining requirements for the degree within the time allotted for the Ph.D. degree. For an extension of time to complete the dissertation, please see above description of Ph.D degree time limits.

d. Penn GSE Standards for the Oral Proposal

Your committee will determine whether you pass your oral proposal hearing. Your proposal must pass the following criteria:

i. The topic is stated clearly and relevant background literature reviewed and evaluated.
ii. The research question(s) are stated clearly.
iii. The contribution and importance of the research question(s) with respect to relevant literature, theory, policy, and/or practice are articulated in a convincing manner.
iv. The research plan and methods are appropriate and adequate to study the research question(s) posed and are explicitly described.

e. Dissertation Research Abroad

A student who will conduct dissertation research abroad for the semester registers for Dissertation Research Abroad status. Full Tuition is charged for students in years 1-4, and Reduced Tuition for students in years 5-10. Students who will be abroad for any part of the semester will be registered for Dissertation Status Abroad. To ensure appropriate enrollment, students need to submit the form to request dissertation research abroad to the Student Records Office, and register your trip with Penn Global.

f. Extramural Research

If graduate credit is sought for research work pursued at laboratories not officially a part of the University of Pennsylvania (for example, where the investigator is not a member of the graduate group), the student must obtain prior permission from the Graduate Group Chair. University Policies Regarding Intellectual Property apply in the case of research conducted in extramural settings.

g. Dissertation Copyright and Patent Policies

A dissertation submitted as part of the requirements for a degree is the property of the University. Any copyrights or patent rights arising therefrom shall be governed by the policies of the University of Pennsylvania, including the Patent and Tangible Research Property Policies and Procedures and the Policy Relating to Copyrights and Commitment of Effort for Faculty. Information about securing copyright for a dissertation and using copyrighted or previously published materials in a dissertation is available online.

h. Research on Human Subjects

11. Final Defense of the Dissertation

The final dissertation defense is approximately two hours in length and is based upon the candidate’s dissertation. To schedule the final defense oral examination, doctoral candidates must submit the completed the Final Defense Hearing Form and abstract at least three weeks in advance of the date of the final defense. The Student Records Office schedules the meeting room and formally notifies the dissertation committee that the meeting has been scheduled. The public is also welcome to attend these presentations. A private discussion for certain periods of the defense may also be granted as per the decision of the dissertation committee. All members of the dissertation committee are required to attend the dissertation defense.

If a hearing is virtual or hybrid (when some committee members will be virtual), it will be up to the student and the program to ensure that a proper virtual hearing is set up and that all stakeholders have the information for the hearing.

The oral proposal hearing and the final defense cannot be completed with the same term. The earliest that a final defense can be held is in the next consecutive term after the oral proposal hearing has been successfully completed.

After agreeing to a successful defense by the candidate, the dissertation committee will recommend said candidate to the faculty of the Graduate Group in Education for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. After the final defense hearing, the student will submit a Penn GSE Dissertation Hearing/Defense ballot to collect their committee members’ digital approval. Once all committee members have submitted their approval, the Student Records Office will receive a final copy of the ballot and update the student’s record with the date the successful hearing was held.

Final oral examinations are not normally held during the summer. Candidates who wish to have the final oral examination during the summer must secure the approval of all committee members and register for Dissertation (EDUC 9950) and pay the Ed.D. tuition rate for the summer session in which the final dissertation defense is held.

a. Procedure for Scheduling the Final Defense of the Dissertation

To schedule the final defense, the student must:

i. Mutually agree with the committee members on a day, date and time to hold the defense.
ii. Submit the Final Defense Notification form and the proposal abstract online at least three weeks in advance of the date the hearing is to take place. The Student Records Office will assign a room for the defense hearing and notify the student, the committee members, and the program staff. The notice will also be posted on the Penn GSE calendar, the second-floor bulletin boards, and the building monitors. If a hearing is virtual, it will be up to the student and the program to ensure that a proper virtual hearing is set up and that all stakeholders have the information for the hearing.
iii. Having passed the final defense, the student will submit a Penn GSE Dissertation Hearing/Defense Ballot to collect committee members’ digital approval and update the transcript with the date of the successful defense hearing.
iv. Tuition is waived the semester after students successfully pass the final defense to finish their revisions to their dissertation manuscript. This waiver is only for one semester and cannot be extended.

b. Standards for the Dissertation:

i. The topic is stated clearly and relevant background literature reviewed and evaluated.
ii. The research question(s) are stated clearly.
iii. The contribution and importance of the research question(s) with respect to relevant literature, theory, policy, and/or practice are articulated in a convincing manner.
iv. The research plan and methods are appropriate and adequate to study the research question(s) posed and are explicitly described.
v. The research plan and methods are implemented effectively.
vi. The research produced trustworthy evidence that bears on the research question(s).
vii. The conclusions follow convincingly from the evidence and its interpretation.
viii. The dissertation manuscript is coherent, well structured, clearly written and is in accordance with the specifications of a standard style manual regarding grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc.
ix. With appropriate revisions, the dissertation is of sufficient quality to be publishable in an academic or practice-oriented journal that is peer reviewed.

c. Formatting the Dissertation:

Dissertations must follow the format prescribed in the University of Pennsylvania Dissertation Formatting Guide.

d. Acceptance of the Dissertation

Following a successful dissertation defense, the student will revise the dissertation as necessary, and submit it by email to the Director of Academic Affairs. The Director will review the dissertation for compliance with the PhD Dissertation Formatting Guide, and request revisions from the student if needed. Once the dissertation’s formatting is properly formatted, the Director will send the document to the Graduate Group Chair for review and final approval. The Director will inform the student when the Chair and Graduate Group’s approval is secured (or, alternately, if further formatting edits are required) at which point the student is authorized to deposit their dissertation with the Office of the Provost. Throughout this process, students should ensure their compliance with both the Penn GSE Academic Calendar and the University’s Graduate Degree Calendar. Format review by the Director of Academic Affairs and Graduate Group Chair typically take three weeks.

e. Publication and Submission of the Dissertation

All dissertations will be archived in the Penn Libraries and ScholarlyCommons. For more details, please read about the repositories here.

Steps for Submission of Education Ph.D. Dissertations

12. Tuition

Ph.D. students will be charged full tuition until they have completed four years of full-time study. The time may be as brief as three years if a student enters with credits from a post-baccalaureate degree program or successfully completes the Ph.D. in less than four years.

If the student has not earned the Ph.D. degree by the end of the four years, the student will be charged reduced tuition until the degree is awarded, or for a maximum of six additional years. Continuous enrollment is required through year ten (or until graduation), with exception for approved leaves.

After a maximum of six years at Reduced Tuition, the student ceases to be enrolled. (See above, Time Limit for Completion of the Ph.D. Degree.) Sitting for exams, holding hearings, or defending the dissertation during the summer will be subject to the Ed.D. tuition rate.

With permission and recertification from the graduate group (see section above, “Recertification”), a student may reenroll for a final year in order to defend and deposit the dissertation. Such a student must pay reduced rate tuition for a final two semesters, unless all requirements are completed within one semester.

13. Leave of Absence

Ph.D. students are allowed to request a leave of absence before completing the oral proposal hearing with approval from the program and the Office of Student Success for any reason. After successful completion of the oral proposal hearing, Ph.D. candidates are not allowed to take a leave of absence except for approved medical, military, or family leave (see specifics below). Ph.D. candidates must be continuously enrolled from the term of oral proposal completion until graduation.

14. New Parent Accommodation & Family Leave of Absence

A student in a Ph.D. program at Penn is eligible for time off of eight weeks for the birth or adoption of a child. Please visit the full policy here.

Additionally, a student in the Ph.D. program at Penn may take an unpaid Family Leave of Absence for the birth or adoption of a child, child care, or care of an immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent) with a serious health condition. Please visit the full policy here.

15. Certificate of Advanced Study

Students who complete all requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy except the preliminary examination and the dissertation may apply to the Director of Graduate Academic Affairs to receive a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS). The CAS is a form of recognition for completing significant doctoral level study in an educational field. Students who elect to receive a CAS will not be eligible to re- enter a degree program and complete the doctorate at a later date. A CAS may be awarded to students matriculated in the Graduate School of Education who:

are in good standing;
have completed all requirements for an approved doctoral specialization of study except the preliminary examinations and the dissertation; and
are recommended by the faculty of the appropriate program.

The certificate contains:

The name of the School and the University;
The name of the student;
The title of the field of specialization in which the advanced study was completed;
The signature of the Dean of the Graduate School of Education.

16. Graduation

The Penn GSE academic calendar lists the deadlines for completing degree requirements in order to graduate in any academic term. All degree candidates must apply to graduate online by the deadline published on the Penn GSE academic calendar. Ph.D. students must also apply on-line to graduate through the Graduate Degrees office.

Penn GSE holds one commencement ceremony each year in May for students who will be receiving their degrees in that academic year’s fall, spring, or summer term (e.g. For Academic Year 2026-2027, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 graduates are eligible to walk in the May 2026 Penn GSE commencement ceremony). Students will not receive a diploma at the ceremony. The diploma is mailed after the confirmation of degree completion by the University Registrar. Participation in the ceremony does not guarantee a degree; only completion of all degree requirements and a valid application for graduation will result in confirmation of degree completion.

For the Doctoral Hooding ceremony, doctoral graduates need to both be eligible for commencement and have submitted their form to schedule a final defense before the date of the ceremony to be able to participate (e.g., For Academic Year 2026-2027, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 doctoral graduates who submit their form to schedule their final defense before May 15th, 2027 are eligible to participate in the May 2027 Doctoral Hooding ceremony).

Please check Penn GSE academic calendar for deadlines on the final defense and commencement RSVP. Check the Graduate Degrees office Ph.D. academic calendar for deadlines to deposit the dissertation and applying for the degree. The Student Records Office asks for three weeks notice to schedule your defense.

May graduates must:

i. Submit the Penn GSE graduation application by the deadline here.
ii. Apply for the degree through the Graduate Degrees office (in addition to Penn GSE) by the deadline here.
iii. Defend and submit your dissertation for Penn GSE review by the Penn GSE deadline.
iv. Deposit your dissertation with the Graduate Degrees office by the deadline.
August graduates who participate in the May commencement ceremony:
i. Should have an expected graduation date in August.
ii. Need to RSVP for the May commencement ceremony by the deadline.

All graduates will have their diplomas mailed to them by the Office of the Secretary of the University approximately three months after they have completed their degree requirements.

If you intend to graduate in August, these are the important dates to keep in mind:

If you intend to graduate in August but do not want to pay an additional tuition fee, you will need to have your final defense completed by the end of the Spring term as per the Penn GSE academic calendar. If you defend your dissertation after this deadline, you will have to pay the the EdD dissertation rate for the summer term, because you have to pay tuition the semester you defend your dissertation. Penn GSE will not pay this tuition fee during the summer, even if you are on a fellowship of any kind. Consult with external fellowships for guidelines on summer tuition payment. An August graduation means that you have deposited the dissertation per the Graduate Degrees office guidelines for the Summer term. Please note that Penn GSE must review a Ph.D. dissertation before it is deposited with the Graduate Degrees office. Both Penn GSE and Graduate Degrees office deadlines must be met to graduate in August.

IV. Course Registration

A. Course Registration

Students must register for approved courses listed on their program’s catalog page. If a student would like to deviate from the approved curriculum, the student must obtain approval from the program and an exception will be placed on the student’s degree audit to reflect the substitution or exception.

Most residential students register for courses using Path@Penn. New students should contact their program to confirm how to register for courses before their first term. Current students register in advance during the advance registration period noted on the academic calendar for each semester.

Advance Registration is a two-week period in which students submit their preferred courses, as well as alternative courses, using Path@Penn. Students enter their course preferences in priority order anytime during the advanced registration period. Although there is no advantage to registering early and no guarantee that students will be enrolled in all their requested courses, it is very important to take part in Advance Registration. Students who do not advance register may find themselves closed out of the courses they wish to take.

At the end of the advance registration period, the system will then register all students’ requests based on availability. For more detailed information on the advance registration process, please use the quick reference guide here. The dates for these registration periods will be on the Penn GSE Academic Calendar.

B. Add/Drop/Swap

There is a designated Add/Drop/Swap period each term during which time students may make changes to their course schedule without penalty. The course selection period is published on the Penn GSE academic calendar, which can vary per program type. Within the dates posted on the Penn GSE academic calendar, students may add or drop courses through Path@Penn. Course registration changes made after the published deadline will be subject to the refund schedule published in the Penn GSE academic calendar.

If students need to drop or register for a course after the course selection period has ended, students will need to complete the form for a Late Registration Request.

A course may not be retroactively added or dropped after the course has concluded.

C. Master’s Thesis (EDUC9900)

Master’s degree students who have completed for all required coursework but still need to complete their final thesis project must be registered for Master’s Thesis (EDUC 9900).

This registration designates the student as an active full-time master’s student. EDUC 9900 carries three course units that are issued upon final completion of the course. To be registered for EDUC 9900, the student must submit the online EDUC 9900 form. EDUC 9900 is intended as a stand-alone course designating full-time status for the specific circumstances noted above and cannot be paired with another course. Exceptions to this policy must go through the Committee on Degrees.

D. Doctoral Student Registration After Coursework Completion

For Ph.D. and traditional Ed.D. students: After a doctoral student finishes coursework, they are registered for a section of EDUC 9950. Before the oral proposal hearing, students will be registered for EDUC 9950 section 001. Registration in a section of 9950 does not imply that a student has entered dissertation status, which is not granted until after coursework, the preliminary or candidacy examination, and oral proposal hearing are completed. The student must request first-time registration for EDUC 9950. EDUC 9950 registration designates the student as an active full-time student.

Once a student has successfully defended the oral proposal, the student will be enrolled in the following term in EDUC 9950 with a section number identifying their dissertation chair.

Note for all doctoral students: Once students have registered for EDUC 9950, Penn automatically re-registers them each fall and spring semester in the same section so long as there are no registration holds on the student’s account and their expected graduation hasn’t passed. If students change committee chairs, they must submit the Change of Dissertation Committee form. Upon receipt of the form, Student Records will change the section number on the registration. It is the student’s responsibility to check their registration in Path@Penn every term to ensure that they have been successfully enrolled.

For the students in the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Mid-Career Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Penn Chief Learning Officer:

A student who has not defended their oral proposal but has finished all coursework will be registered in EDUC 9950 section 001.
Because an executive format doctoral student works on the dissertation proposal while also being enrolled in courses, it is possible that they might defend their proposal before completing all coursework. In that scenario, a student will be registered for EDUC 9950 with a section number identifying their dissertation chair. This will allow them to move forward with their dissertation work even without having completed all coursework. However, the student will not be able to defend their dissertation until all coursework is complete.

E. Dissertation Status

Dissertation status for our Ph.D. and traditional Ed.D. programs signifies that doctoral students have completed all coursework for the doctoral degree, taken the preliminary exam, and successfully defended the proposal at a hearing.

Dissertation status students are ineligible to take a leave of absence except for the reasons described in the Leave of Absence Policy. In keeping with the school's continuous registration requirements, dissertation students who fail to register each semester will be charged tuition for past semesters, if they seek to re-register, to a maximum of six terms.

F. Continuous Registration

All degree students in the Graduate School of Education must be registered during each fall and spring term until all degree requirements have been met unless a leave of absence has been granted. To satisfy the continuous registration requirement, students must be registered for coursework, Master’s Thesis, or dissertation status. Students are not required to register for the summer unless they will sit for an examination, hold an oral proposal or defense, or graduate during the summer. Please refer to Penn GSE’s tuition and fees page for current tuition for master’s registration and dissertation status. A degree student who has not maintained active status by registering each term, or who has not been granted an official leave of absence, will be withdrawn. Withdrawn students who would like to rejoin a Penn GSE program will need to reapply for admission.

G. Auditing

Students who wish to attend a course without completing the assignments or taking examinations may request to audit the course. The students register in the usual way, but auditing a course requires the student to get permission from the instructor. This permission is then given to the Student Records Office to change the grade type to audit. Auditors are subject to the full course tuition and fees. They will not receive credit for the course, but it will appear on their transcript with “AUD” in the grade column.

H. Interschool Courtesy

Students at the Graduate School of Education are encouraged to take courses in other schools of the University, and students registered as candidates for degrees in other schools of the University are encouraged to take courses in the Graduate School of Education. To qualify for interschool courtesy, students must have the consent of their academic advisor and the instructor of the course in which they wish to enroll. Only courses 5000 level or above are considered graduate level. Courses below the 5000 level will not count toward degree requirements and will be charged at the Penn GSE tuition rate. Any exception to this policy needs to go through the Committee on Degrees.

I. Application For Graduation

All degree candidates must apply to graduate. To apply to graduate, complete the online application for graduation before the deadline listed for the appropriate semester on the Penn GSE academic calendar. Graduation applications are only valid for the term indicated in the application at the time it is submitted. If the degree is not granted for that term, for any reason, the student must submit a new graduation application for the term in which they anticipate graduation.

J. Course Load Per Term

The maximum course load per term is five course units for master’s degree students and four course units per term for doctoral students. Doctoral students wishing to exceed the four-course unit maximum in a term, must submit the Request to Exceed 4.0 Course Units form.

There is a maximum course load of four course units in the summer term, with a maximum of three course units permitted in either six-week session.

1. Enrollment Status

Full-time status: Registration for three or more course units in a term is considered full-time status.
Half-time status: For the purpose of federal loan eligibility and in-school deferment eligibility, students must be registered in a degree granting program at least half-time. Half-time status is defined as 1.5 CUs. Note that if you are registered for less than 1.5 CUs in a term, you are not at half-time status and you will not qualify for federal loans or in-school eligibility. Please plan accordingly.
Part-time status: Registration for .5 to 2.5 course units is considered part-time status.
A special note for international students: Federal Regulations limit your ability to enroll less than full-time. If you cannot meet the full-time requirement (at least 3 course units), you need to request a reduced course load (RCL) with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Dropping below full-time without an RCL is considered an unauthorized drop, which will endanger your immigration status.

Archived Handbooks

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Do you have questions about the handbook or policies? We are here to help!

Christian Kubik Cedeño

Director of Academic Affairs

215-898-1501

cdkubik@upenn.edu

Student Handbook

Penn GSE Student Handbook

I. Academic Policies

II. General Policies

III. Degree Requirements

IV. Course Registration

I. Academic Policies

A. Code of Academic Integrity

B. Grading Policies

C. Penn GSE Academic Grievance Policy

D. Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals

II. General Policies

A. Official Communications

B. Code of Student Conduct

C. University of Pennsylvania Policy on Equal Opportunity

D. Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement

E. Sexual Misconduct Policy, Resource Offices and Complaint Procedures

F. Respect for Others in the Workplace

G. Consensual Sexual Relations Between Faculty And Students In GSE

H. University Policy on Secular and Religious Holidays

I. Poster Policy

J. University Resources For Resolving Information Complaints

K. Formal Complaints And Reporting Offices

III. Degree Requirements

A. Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)

B. Master of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed.): Quantitative Methods

C. Master of Philosophy in Education (M.Phil.Ed.): Professional Counseling

D. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

E. Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

IV. Course Registration

A. Course Registration

B. Add/Drop/Swap

C. Master’s Thesis (EDUC9900)

D. Doctoral Student Registration After Coursework Completion

E. Dissertation Status

F. Continuous Registration

G. Auditing

H. Interschool Courtesy

I. Application For Graduation

J. Course Load Per Term

Archived Handbooks

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