UEUniversity of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education logo

University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Unclaimed

Higher Education & Academic Research

www.gse.upenn.edu

Philadelphia, PA, United States

Penn GSE is an Ivy League school advancing education worldwide through research, policy, and practice.

Penn GSE (University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education) is a leading Ivy League school at the University of Pennsylvania dedicated to improving education through research, policy, and practice. It serves educators, leaders, researchers, students, and organizations worldwide, offering a broad range of degree programs and professional development opportunities. The school emphasizes collaboration, evidence-based practice, and the preparation of educational leaders to address diverse contexts and challenges. By translating research into practice and partnering with schools, districts, and communities, Penn GSE aims to advance equity and improve learning outcomes for learners of all backgrounds.

At Penn GSE our mission is to improve education and change the world.

What we offer

Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed.

Equip yourself with skills to innovate education solutions in a 12-month program for professionals.

www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/education-entrepreneurship-msed

International Educational Development, M.S.Ed.

Equip yourself to promote global education and equality through hands-on experience and interdisciplinary knowledge.

www.gse.upenn.edu/academics/international-educational-development-msed

Universal Design for Learning Certificate

Service

Earn a UDL certificate to enhance inclusive learning experiences for all students.

www.gse.upenn.edu/professional-development/universal-design-for-learning

Penn Learning Network (PLN)

Transforming professional development through customized learning experiences for educators and organizations.

www.gse.upenn.edu/professional-development/custom-offerings

Penn GSE Career Services

Service

Equipping students and alumni with resources to advance their careers through a robust support network.

www.gse.upenn.edu/student-life/advancing-your-career

Writing Commons at Penn GSE

Service

Enhances academic writing through collaborative support and resources for graduate students.

www.gse.upenn.edu/student-life/enhancing-your-journey

Market segments

Market size by segment

Growth potential (CAGR)

K-12 professional learning and coaching

12 Billion USD7.5% CAGR

Customized professional learning, certificates, workshops, and instructional and leadership coaching for schools and districts that translate research into practice and improve educator practice and student outcomes.

Executive education in education entrepreneurship

1 Billion USD11% CAGR

Accelerated, practitioner-focused graduate education and executive-format programs that enable working professionals to design, test, and launch education innovations and access startup and industry partnerships.

International education and development

2.5 Billion USD10% CAGR

Programs preparing professionals to design and implement education programs in low-resource, displacement, and international contexts, including internships and partnerships with global organizations to advance access and equity.

Graduate career placement and talent pipeline

8 Billion USD7% CAGR

Career development and placement services that support student and doctoral placement into academic and industry roles and help employers access graduating talent.

More information about our offering

Education Entrepreneurship, M.S.Ed.

One-year, executive Master of Science in Education program designed for working professionals to design, test, and implement forward-thinking education solutions. The 12-month, hybrid format blends Education Foundations, Business Essentials, and Entrepreneurial Leadership, and culminates in a capstone project with industry partners. Students gain premier access to Penn GSE and Wharton startup resources and clubs and join a global network to develop education innovations. The program targets professionals across industries seeking to innovate within existing organizations and advance impact. Beginning Summer 2026, STEM OPT extension is available, and funding opportunities include the Global Impact Fellowship.

  • Enhance Opportunities for Collaboration
    Students leverage the extensive support network and resources from prominent institutions to foster entrepreneurial ventures.
  • Gain Comprehensive Knowledge in Education Entrepreneurship
    The multidisciplinary approach equips students with essential skills from various fields to tackle challenges in education.
  • Apply Learning in Real-World Settings
    The capstone allows students to work closely with industry leaders, providing practical insights and feedback to refine their innovative solutions.
  • Flexible Learning for Busy Professionals
    Designed specifically for working professionals, the program balances rigorous academics with real-world responsibilities.
  • Financial Support for Innovative Projects
    Students can apply for funds to support their ideas and projects while also benefitting from extended work options post-graduation.

International Educational Development, M.S.Ed.

A master’s program that prepares students to work in international educational contexts and promote equal access and opportunity globally. The program addresses challenges such as poverty, displacement, governance, technology, and quality education with a strong commitment to marginalized populations and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It emphasizes an interdisciplinary foundation and small cohort, and features an international internship with 25 partner organizations, offering hands-on experience in global education and development. Fall entry; 12–20 months on campus; full- or part-time options. The program supports Returned Peace Corps Volunteers through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program and includes internships in more than 40 countries, with emergency insurance via Penn iSOS.

  • Hands-On Experience
    Gain real-world experience working with prestigious international organizations, enhancing employability and skills.
  • Extensive Global Reach
    Experience diverse educational environments while making meaningful contributions to communities worldwide.
  • Strategic Collaborations
    Work with leading organizations that influence global education policies and practices.
  • Fall Enrollment Option
    Allows students to start their studies in the fall, accommodating various schedules and commitments.
  • Volunteer Support
    Provides financial aid and mentoring to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, facilitating their transition to graduate study.

Universal Design for Learning Certificate

Certificate program in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to provide all learners with options for reflection, creation, connection, and innovation. The program consists of two online courses taken over two semesters to earn nine continuing education credits. It is delivered online through the Penn Learning Network, with registration handled by Novak Education. The courses cover core UDL concepts and strategies for planning and implementing inclusive instruction across learning environments.

  • Design Inclusive Learning
    Participants will learn to implement UDL principles to enhance engagement and accessibility in the classroom.
  • Study Anywhere Online
    Courses are available online, allowing flexibility to learn from anywhere at your own pace.
  • Earn Nine Credits
    Participants receive nine continuing education credits, valuable for career advancement and professional development.
  • Complete Two Courses
    Participants will complete two focused courses to earn their UDL certificate.
  • Convenient Registration Process
    The registration process for the program is efficiently managed by Novak Education, simplifying enrollment.

Penn Learning Network (PLN)

Penn Learning Network (PLN) provides customized professional learning solutions for schools, districts, and organizations. PLN offers continuing education certificate programs, courses, workshops, and instructional, leadership, and executive coaching designed to translate research into practical strategies and lasting impact. It partners with Penn GSE units and external providers to design and deliver high-quality professional learning experiences across sectors. The PLN network includes centers such as the Center for School Study Councils, Coalition for Educational Excellence, Collaboratory for Teaching and Teacher Education, McGraw Center for Educational Leadership, the Philadelphia Writing Project, and the Project for Mental Health and Optimal Development.

  • Tailors Learning Needs
    Collaborates closely with organizations to create tailored programs that meet their unique goals and contexts.
  • Supports Evidence-Based Practices
    Ensures that educational strategies implemented are grounded in the latest educational research and best practices.
  • Enhances Professional Development
    Participants engage in various formats to strengthen their educational practices and leadership skills.
  • Promotes Active Learning
    Designed to ensure participants can implement new strategies in their educational environments immediately.
  • Leverages Collaborative Expertise
    Utilizes the collective expertise of various educational centers to enhance training quality and breadth.

Penn GSE Career Services

The Office of Student Success (OSS) provides career services to help students become career-ready. Services include career preparation workshops, job simulations, alumni networking and mentorship programs, access to job boards and career tools, and online networking via Penn GSE Connects and the MyPenn alumni portal.

  • Connect With Alumni
    Access mentorship and networking opportunities with a global community of Penn GSE alumni.
  • Prepare For Career Success
    Gain essential skills through workshops and simulations that boost interview readiness and real-world competencies.
  • Access Job Opportunities
    Utilize job boards and resources to discover and apply for career opportunities tailored to education and human development.
  • Engage Online
    Join networking platforms to forge connections with fellow alumni and current students.

Writing Commons at Penn GSE

The Writing Commons supports the culture, practice, and skill of academic writing at Penn GSE. It enhances writing through hybrid spaces and coordinated programming and collaborates with the Weingarten Center and the Penn Libraries to provide writing support and programming for graduate students across disciplines.

  • Enhances Academic Writing
    Provides tailored feedback and resources to improve writing skills necessary for graduate studies.
  • Offers Comprehensive Resources
    Works alongside established centers to offer a wealth of resources for effective academic writing.
  • Supports Diverse Disciplines
    Caters to the varied academic specializations of graduate students, ensuring inclusive writing support.
  • Creates Hybrid Writing Environments
    Facilitates collaborative and independent writing experiences through innovative physical and virtual spaces.

References

Methodology and sourcing behind the figures shown above.

K-12 professional learning and coaching

Search results did not include an explicit market size for K‑12 professional learning and coaching. I estimated a US market size by applying a typical professional development share (≈1–2%) to annual U.S. K‑12 expenditures (~$700–800B), giving an $8–16B range and selecting a midpoint of $12B. For growth, I used reported growth benchmarks from related segments (blended e‑learning CAGR 15.8% and online K‑12 education CAGR 4.2%) and set a conservative mid‑point CAGR of 7.5% to reflect blended demand for in‑person coaching and digital professional learning.

Executive education in education entrepreneurship

Estimated niche TAM of ~USD 1.0B based on reported executive-education market sizes (US ~USD 9.1B in 2025; global online exec-education ~USD 28.4B in 2024; global forecasts to ~USD 78B by 2030). Education-entrepreneurship is a small specialist subcategory (entrepreneurship/sector-specific offerings), plausibly 1–2% of the broader executive-education market; applied midpoint yields ~USD 1B. Growth potential reflects digital-first delivery and entrepreneurship demand; aligned with online executive-education CAGR (~11%) and broader exec-education CAGRs (7–10%), so the niche CAGR is estimated at ~11%.

International education and development

Estimate derived by anchoring to global education market figures and known international-education export data, then scaling to the niche of professional training for international education/development. BusinessResearchInsights gives a global education market baseline (~USD 330.9B in 2026). UK-specific export figures (BIS/DERA) and the GOV.UK target (£35bn by 2030) indicate the size of education exports and mobility-related activity. The niche “programs preparing professionals for international/low-resource/displacement contexts” represents a small share of international education/transnational services (estimated ~5–10% of cross-border education/export activity), yielding an approximate global market size of USD 2.5B. Growth potential (CAGR ~10%) reflects faster-than-average expansion driven by digital delivery, donor-funded capacity building, and demand for specialist skills (digital education CAGR and broader education growth cited for context).

Graduate career placement and talent pipeline

Estimate based on search results showing rising employer focus on early-career hiring and investments in talent pipelines, combined with internal market-hierarchy reasoning. Public sources indicate active but variable hiring: NACE projects modest increases in graduate hiring while Cengage and Lloyd Staffing report constrained entry-level hiring and lower placement rates, signaling unmet demand for placement services. To quantify market size, I mapped the graduate/talent-pipeline segment as a subset of the broader US staffing/recruitment and higher-education career-services/edtech markets: using an internal baseline for US staffing/recruitment revenue and career-services budgets, I allocated a conservative 3–7% share to graduate placement, plus incremental revenue from university career centers and early-talent edtech/platforms, yielding an estimated US market of roughly $6–10 billion (midpoint $8B). Growth (CAGR ~7%) reflects expanding employer investment in early-talent programs, rising demand for AI and job-specific skills, and growth in paid internship/early-career programs offset by macro headwinds (tight labor markets, demographic shifts).

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