Master of Arts: International Training & Education Program
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Our Unique International Education Program
Since 1982, American University School of Education’s International Training and Education Program (ITEP) has provided an ideal environment for students who want to further their skills and experiences in:
- training program design;
- intercultural learning and exchange;
- program management and evaluation;
- transitional and social justice;
- internationalization of higher education; and
- equity in education.
ITEP is a unique 30-credit Master of Arts (MA) program that can be completed in two years. The ITEP program provides students with a strong foundation in theory, principles, and practice in international education and training.
Coursework can be completed either fully in person or a combination of online and in person.
ITEP Faculty, Staff and Students
ITEP brings together a dedicated group of faculty, staff and students whose academic backgrounds and international experiences are rich and varied; this diverse educational and experiential background enhances the value of conversation in the classroom. Because of our location in Washington, D.C. – a city well known for its global diversity – we work to ensure that all who join the program can take full advantage of the culturally and educationally enriching resources available in the city. Many ITEP graduates seek employment with organizations and agencies such as the World Bank, the Peace Corps, the Department of State and USAID, domestic and overseas universities, K-12 schools, or a variety of other governmental or international non-governmental organizations and agencies.
ITEP students are tackling some of the following questions:
- How do we create innovative training programs that respond to local and global issues?
- What role does education quality play in efforts to promote educational equity and inclusion?
- What are the cultural, social, and political perspectives underpinning development assistance and intercultural exchange programs?
- How are controversial histories taught and learned?
If these questions inspire you, the International Training and Education Program (ITEP) could be for you.
APPLY NOWITEP Coursework
Throughout the program, students apply their own international education experiences and learn from faculty who are experts in both practice and research. In their culminating capstone project, students design and implement a training, curriculum, research paper, or evaluation in a context relevant to their professional interests and goals.
Degree Requirements
The MA degree requires a total of 30 credit hours of approved graduate work, including the capstone. Coursework can be completed either fully in person or a combination of online and in person.
Courses
Required (18 credit hours)
Core Courses
- EDU-611 Social Theory and Educational Practice (3)
- EDU-642 Training Program Design (3)
- EDU-698 Comparative and International Education (3)
Research Methods
- EDU-610 Overview of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Strategies (3)
- EDU-790 Quantitative Research in Education (3)
Capstone
- EDU-685 Proseminar in International Education (3)
Electives (12 credit hours)
Complete 12 credit hours from the following, or other courses as approved by a faculty advisor, with at least 6 credits in the School of Education.
- EDU-612 Equity and Education in the Global Context (3)
- EDU-614 International Education Exchange: Policies and Practices (3)
- EDU-647 Global and Multicultural Education (3)
- EDU-648 Education Sector Assessment (3)
- EDU-649 Nonformal Education and Development (3)
- EDU-673 Culture, Identity and Education (3)
- EDU-674 Education and Transitional Justice (3)
- EDU-713 Advanced Training Program Design (3)
- HLTH-575 Global Health (3)
- HLTH-585 Global Health Policy (3)
Skills Institutes (1 credit hour each)
In addition to 3 credit elective courses, ITEP offers 1 credit practical, skills focused courses that take place on weekends. Examples include:
- EDU-627 Assessment of Student Outcomes in Intercultural Exchange/Education Abroad (1)
- EDU-627 Diversity & Inclusion in Training Programs (1)
- EDU-627 Education Sector Analysis (1)
- EDU-627 Monitoring and Evaluating in International Development and Education Interventions (1)
- EDU-627 Online Training Program and Design (1)
- EDU-627 Participatory Research and Evaluation Methods (1)
- EDU-627 Social Justice and Liberation in International Exchange (1)
ITEP students can pursue additional Graduate Certificates, such as ITEP’s Training Design and Facilitation certificate or the School of International Service’s Cross-Cultural Communication certificate.
ITEP also offers a 12-credit in person, online, or hybrid Training Design and Facilitation (Graduate) Certificate for novice to experienced trainers who are seeking a specialized training credential to further their design and facilitation skills.
Faculty
ITEP’s faculty are leaders in the field of international and comparative education.
Elizabeth A. Worden
Jisun Jeong
Michael Gibbons
Courtney Wright
ITEP Career Pathways
ITEP is a unique graduate program advancing social justice across the world by training change agents to facilitate positive change in three career pathways: international educational development, training for social change, and international exchange and study abroad.
The international education development pathway prepares students to research, evaluate, discuss, and contextualize pressing global education issues. Students practice applying these skills throughout the program and go on to serve as important leaders and specialists in a wide range of international institutions and organizations. Graduates work in areas such as policy development, advocacy, research and evaluation, and program management with the intention of improving education access, quality, and equity around the world.
The training for change pathway prepares students to serve as social change agents by strengthening training skills and practice in needs assessment, curriculum and training design, group facilitation, and evaluation using systems thinking and experiential learning approaches. Graduates work as trainers and specialists in capacity-building in education institutions and social justice organizations in North America and around the world. Graduates may also serve as educators or leaders in public or private institutions striving to internationalize their institutions and promote greater equity and inclusion for diverse learners. Skills learned are applicable to a wide range of roles in education institutions as well as agencies that facilitate teacher training, programming for newcomer communities, nonformal and refugee education, and youth development.
The internationalization and exchange pathway engages students who are interested in the interchange and movement of people and ideas across cultures. Special emphasis is placed on the history, politics, and changing nature of exchange, study abroad policies and practices, student mobility, internationalization efforts in higher education, and intercultural program management. Graduates work for universities and international exchange organizations as advisors, program coordinators, managers, and directors.
Events
Join Us for One of Our Virtual Open Houses
We offer several Virtual Open Houses each term to offer prospective students an opportunity to meet faculty and ITEP leadership, learn about the MA and Graduate Certificate program, and ask any questions you may have.
Upcoming Virtual Open Houses
Check back soon for more upcoming events.
To learn more about our next Virtual Open House, please email itep@american.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Students may begin the program in the Summer, Fall or Spring semester. Both full time and part time schedules are available, though international students are required to be in full-time status during the entire program of study (with special exceptions made in the final semester of study).
Yes. ITEP offers a number of required courses online, as well as electives for both the degree and certificate program.
Most students take two years to complete the MA program, but it can be completed in as little as 15 months, including summer study. The Certificate program can be completed at the students’ pace, but is typically a 9-month program.
Both full-time and part-time schedules are available; however, international students are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the entire program of study (with special exceptions made in the final semester). Many of our students do have full-time jobs while in ITEP.
To accommodate students who work full-time, most classes are offered at 5:30pm or 8:20pm ET.
ITEP students develop and complete a capstone project usually during their final semester of the MA program through EDU 685: ProSeminar in International Education. The main objective of the capstone is to help students consolidate, integrate, and advance knowledge and skills acquired through ITEP. Students work with the ProSem instructor (a Core ITEP faculty member) to design and finish their project.
The capstone includes the following elements: a literature review, an analytical writing component, and original research. Some examples of capstone topics include a program evaluation, a program training design and implementation, and qualitative research project.
Transfer Credit from Accredited Institution
MA students can transfer in a maximum of 6 credits from another university provided that these credits have been earned at the master’s level from an accredited institution, and is relevant to the ITEP program of study.
Credit Waiver for Volunteer Experience
In the past, when ITEP’s program was 36 credit hours, incoming students could apply for credit waivers of up to 6 credits based on previous volunteer experience. Because of the reduction of required credits to a 30 hour program, students are no longer eligible for a credit waiver based on previous volunteer experience.
Yes. Each MA student is assigned to a faculty advisor at the start of the program. The advisor can help students decide if an internship or experience abroad will enhance the students’ program of study and/or career goals.
ITEP Global Education Forums
The School of Education’s International Training and Education Program hosts monthly Global Education Forums (GEFs), discussions on pressing topics in international education, international development, and intercultural exchange. Join our conversations with experts, who offer their viewpoints and experiences as practitioners, researchers, and activists. Audience participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and join the dialogue.
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