Penn’s Graduate School of Education has entered an agreement to offer Colby College students streamlined admission to its master’s degree programs.
The program, announced on Sept. 3, will provide early acceptance to GSE for an inaugural cohort of 10 to 15 Colby students starting in 2027. After maintaining academic requirements during their time as undergraduates, selected students will enter one of 14 Master of Science in Education programs at Penn.
A GSE spokesperson explained that the partnership provides “a structured pathway from an outstanding liberal arts education to graduate study at one of the nation's leading schools of education.”
“Penn GSE and Colby share a commitment to helping talented students pursue rigorous academic and professional pathways,” the spokesperson wrote. “The partnership is especially important because students are increasingly seeking greater clarity and support as they plan their educational and career trajectories.”
According to Colby’s announcement, the pathways at GSE include “interdisciplinary studies in human development, education policy, urban education, international education development, and statistics, measurement, assessment, and research technology.”
The school plans to keep members of the cohort engaged with the program during their time at Colby through “campus visits, access to workshops, program updates, and alumni and career services engagement.”
GSE Dean Katharine Strunk wrote in a statement that the “challenges facing education today demand thoughtful, innovative leaders,” including “talented and committed undergraduates” who may not know “how to begin their journey.”
“This partnership with Colby College helps us cultivate that next generation of changemakers by creating a streamlined pathway for talented students to continue their studies at Penn GSE and translate their passion into meaningful impact,” Strunk added.
RELATED:
Penn GSE guarantees admission for Hamilton College undergraduates enrolled in new joint program
Penn GSE appoints inaugural associate dean for community, climate after eliminating DEI role
Earlier this year, GSE entered a similar partnership with Hamilton College, allowing students to receive joint admission to Hamilton alongside an early assurance to a graduate program.
“The Colby partnership builds on that successful model and reflects Penn GSE’s broader interest in developing relationships with outstanding undergraduate institutions,” the school’s spokesperson wrote.
For GSE, the partnership is part of a “broader approach to creating innovative educational pathways” and a “commitment to interdisciplinary learning and leadership development.”
Colby also partnered with the University of Chicago to invite 25 first years into the UChicago Advanced Scholars program for conditional admission into 18 master’s programs. The partnership begins this year and provides a $5,000 scholarship upon matriculation into the master’s program.
RELATED:
Penn GSE guarantees admission for Hamilton College undergraduates enrolled in new joint program
Penn GSE appoints inaugural associate dean for community, climate after eliminating DEI role
Senior reporter Kathryn Ye covers central administration and can be reached at ye@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies biochemistry and philosophy. Follow her on X @Kathryn__Ye.
