M.A. in OLPD
Comparative and International Development Education

Become a leader in international and intercultural education. This Comparative and International Development Education (CIDE) track program is designed for students to gain a mastery of skills and knowledge in how cultural, economic, and political forces affect international and intercultural education.

You will develop an in-depth understanding of the similarities and differences in educational systems throughout the world, including higher education systems, and you will have opportunities for relevant internships and research with faculty to enhance your practical applied skills. You will also learn about how international educational experiences influence domestic students and the value of international educational exchanges and experiences for the promotion of peace, global understanding, and social justice. In addition, you will gain the skills to assess and make recommendations in support of optimal student learning, the development of intercultural competence, and the creation of innovative cultural learning experiences. In this program, you will learn how to:

  • Analyze the complexity of classrooms, schools, and formal and non-formal educational institutions in international contexts.
  • Design and support international/intercultural exchanges and learning abroad programs.
  • Increase the effectiveness of school policies and administration in international contexts through research-based strategies and programs.
  • Apply knowledge from the field of CIDE for work in diverse types of organizations, such as NGOs, government agencies, international organizations, institutions of higher education, foundations, nonprofits, and K-12 schools in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Develop the skills to lead offices of international education and study abroad programs in schools, colleges, and universities.

This degree prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

  • Vice provost for academic affairs
  • Associate director, programs in executive education
  • Global learning advisor
  • Project officer
  • Monitoring and evaluation executive



Coursework

This program offers two curriculum options: "Plan A" includes 34 credits (with master's thesis); "Plan B" includes 30 creadits (without a thesis, but with additional coursework). Both are completed in 2 years for for full-time students.

Plan A (34 credits)

Program core (3 credits)

  • OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr)

Program specialization (6 credits)

Select a specialization and choose two courses:

Specialization: Comparative and international development education

  • OLPD 5103—Comparative Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5104—Strategies for Development of International Education Systems (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5121—Educational Reform in International Context (3 cr)

Specialization: Intercultural/international education

  • OLPD 5048—Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Leadership (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5124—Critical Issues in International Education and Educational Exchange (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5132—Intercultural Education and Training: Theory and Application (3 cr)

Research design and methods (3 credits)

Course(s) to be selected in consultation with advisor.

Related fields (6 credits taken outside CIDE)

The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses totaling 6 or more credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

Electives (12 or more credits)

Take 6 or more credits from the following list with advisor approval as needed to reach 34 credits total in the program. 8xxx-level courses should be taken only with the consent of the instructor.

  • OLPD 5044—Introduction to the Economics of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5080—Special Topics: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
  • OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
  • OLPD 5107—Gender, Education, and International Development (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5128—Anthropology of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8022—Education and Globalization: Anthropological Perspectives (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8087—Seminar: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
  • OLPD 8101—International Education and Development (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8103—Comparative Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8104—Innovative Systems Thinking in Education and Culture (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)

Thesis credits

Take 10 or more credits of the following:

  • OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)

Plan B (30 credits)

Program core (3 credits)

  • OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr)
  • OR OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (3 cr)

Program specialization (6 credits)

Select a specialization and choose two courses:

Specialization: Comparative and international development education

  • OLPD 5103—Comparative Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5104—Strategies for Development of International Education Systems (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5121—Educational Reform in International Context (3 cr)

Specialization: Intercultural/international education

  • OLPD 5048—Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Leadership (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5124—Critical Issues in International Education and Educational Exchange (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5132—Intercultural Education and Training: Theory and Application (3 cr)

Research design and methods (3 credits)

Course(s) to be selected in consultation with advisor.

Related fields (6 credits taken outside CIDE)

The master’s degree requires 6 semester credits taken outside the program track that directly relate to the student’s area of study. Courses totaling 6 or more credits should be selected in consultation with the advisor and should constitute a solid coursework foundation for the student’s thesis. These courses may include additional methods courses taught outside the department.

Electives (12 or more credits)

Take 12 or more credits from the following list with advisor approval as needed to reach 30 credits total in the program. 8xxx-level courses should be taken only with the consent of the instructor.

  • OLPD 5044—Introduction to the Economics of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5080—Special Topics: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
  • OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
  • OLPD 5107—Gender, Education, and International Development (3 cr)
  • OLPD 5128—Anthropology of Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8022—Education and Globalization: Anthropological Perspectives (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8087—Seminar: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (1-3 cr)
  • OLPD 8101—International Education and Development (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8103—Comparative Education (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8104—Innovative Systems Thinking in Education and Culture (3 cr)
  • OLPD 8302—Educational Policy Perspectives (3 cr)

About our students


"The Comparative and International Development Education program offered me a unique methodology to explore gender issues in education at multiple scales in a global context."

Hao Xu


How to Apply

Applications are due by February 1 for a Fall semester start.

Fall semester start only.

Applicants may only apply to one OLPD track.

Applications are not complete until ALL required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered until the next review date the following year. It is strongly recommended to apply at least two weeks before any submission deadlines.

Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.

Detailed guide for online application [PDF]

Apply here

Admission requirements

Degree: Bachelor's degree

GPA: Undergraduate 3.0

Note: Applicants should not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.

TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):

  • TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above
    (21 writing/19 reading)
  • IELTS = 6.5

Readmission: OLPD students who have become inactive must follow the readmission procedures.

Tuition and funding

Tuition information: CEHD | OneStop
Financial aid: CEHD | OneStop

Questions?

We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch.