Formally established as a department in 1893[2] and a school at the University of Pennsylvania in 1915,[3] Penn GSE has historically had research strengths in teaching and learning, the cultural contexts of education, language education, human development, quantitative research methods, and practitioner inquiry.

This was a primary purpose of Benjamin Franklin's Public Academy of Philadelphia, and it has continued to influence the work of the University throughout its history.

[5] When the school was founded, its offices and classrooms were located in College Hall, one of the first buildings of Penn's West Philadelphia campus.

Penn GSE offers 20 different master's degrees in programs ranging from Higher Education to Counseling and Mental Health Services.

In 2001, Penn GSE launched a series of executive degree programs for education professionals and entrepreneurial activities that serve non-traditional students.