Start your journey
Analyze global systems. Transform local practice.
The MA in comparative education is designed for practitioners, researchers, and future leaders who want to understand education's role in a rapidly changing world. Our curriculum is anchored by a unique intellectual framework that defines our research and our community.
In the MA program, you will go beyond the surface of international education challenged to engage with four essential dimensions of the field:
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Critical: We interrogate power. You will learn to question whose interests are served by global policies and how education can be a tool for both reproduction and liberation.
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Comparative: We analyze difference. By examining systems across diverse nations, you will develop the methodological tools to understand why policies succeed in one context and fail in another.
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Transnational: We map connectivity. Our curriculum explores how ideas, people, and capital flow across borders, shaping educational landscapes in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Situated: We honor place. From the diverse immigrant and refugee populations of the Twin Cities to the Indigenous nations of Minnesota, we ground global theory in local cultural, linguistic, and historical realities.
Our mission statement
The comparative and international education (CIE) program at the University of Minnesota advances critical, collaborative, and forward-looking interdisciplinary research on education as a global, transnational, and locally situated phenomenon. Our curriculum is guided by principles of equity, social justice, and decolonial inquiry, and is designed to inform educational theory and practice. Our faculty are recognized experts in educational policy studies; inclusive education; Indigenous knowledge systems; science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education; gender and education; land-based education and community inquiry; and migration, power, and youth politics. Studying comparative and international education at UMN prepares students to engage with contemporary challenges that confront educational systems globally, and to understand how these systems are shaped by situated political, economic, and cultural processes. Our graduates go on to shape more just educational futures in professions across different sectors, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and research institutions.
Careers
- International agencies (e.g., UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank)
- Governmental policy offices (Ministries of Education, USAID)
- Global non-profits focused on literacy, gender equity, and social justice.
- Higher education administration within international student services and study abroad offices/programs.
Application deadlines
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.
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: 3.0 undergraduate
GRE: Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
Teaching experience is not required for admission to this program.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
- TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
- IELTS = 6.5
- Refer to this page for all English language proficiency requirements.
Required Fields
- Personal Information
- Application Information
- Educational Background
- Languages
- Employment/Residence Information
- Applicant Statements #1 & #2
- Recommendations Letters (limit 2)
- Resume or CV
Optional fields: All other fields or application materials are optional but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Application Fee
U.S. citizen/permanent resident: $75.00; International: $95.00. Click here for more information about application fees.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts. There is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. The University will request official copies of this material if you are admitted. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE Scores
Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
Applicant Statements
Complete Statements #1 & #2; Statement #3 is optional.
Statement #1: Personal Statement
Please provide a statement—do not exceed two pages—outlining why you are interested in this program and your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. You may wish to include:
- How you expect this program will contribute to your professional development and career goals.
- How you anticipate applying the knowledge and skills you will gain from the program to your current or future working challenges and needs.
- How your professional experience can contribute to the collective learning of your fellow students in the program
Statement #2: Diversity
Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Statement #3: Extenuating Circumstances (optional)
If your grades and/or test scores are not strong, and you would like to provide an explanation, please do so. [Please do not exceed one page.]
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. Acceptable recommendations will come from current or former supervisors, work peers, clients, or professors who can assess your academic and professional capabilities.
When you apply, the online application includes a section for you to list the contact information of the individual recommending you. They will receive an email from the application system with instructions on how to submit their letter. Please ask your recommendation providers to check spam/junk mail folders if they don't receive the message.
Request letters of recommendation early in the application process to allow enough time for your letter writers. Unsubmitted letters of recommendation are one of the most common delays during the application review process.
You may finish and submit your application before the recommenders submit your letters.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
International students who will have completed 16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota are exempt from the testing requirement but may be asked to take locally administered English tests after arrival on campus. Click here for more information about English language proficiency requirements.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact our graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu.
Tuition and funding
Tuition
Visit the University of Minnesota's One Stop tuition page for information on tuition. This program follows the guidelines listed under the "Graduate and professional" sub-heading. The general graduate tuition rate includes a 6-14 credit band for full-time registration. Each credit above or below the plateau is assessed on a per-credit basis.
Review the Cost of Attendance page as well as information about student fees assessed by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
CEHD Fellowships, scholarships, assistantships, and grants for graduate students
As a graduate student in CEHD, you may be eligible for fellowships, grants, and scholarships from the University of Minnesota, from our college, and from your academic department. Get more information on funding opportunities!
University funding opportunities
Refer to the University of Minnesota Graduate School's funding page, specifically the page on fellowships for prospective / incoming students. Questions about University funding opportunities should be directed to the Graduate School —612.625.7579, or gsfellow@umn.edu.
CEHD funding opportunities
Refer to CEHD funding opportunities. Questions about college and department-level funding for this program should be directed to OLPD graduate admissions staff at olpd@umn.edu.
Financial aid
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options. Check out this One Stop link for more information on eligibility, required steps, and timelines.
Request information
If you simply have a question and would like someone to reach back out with information, please complete our request information form. Your information will not be shared outside our department.
Coursework
This program offers two curriculum options: Plan A includes 34 credits, with a master's thesis; Plan B includes 30 credits without a thesis, but with additional coursework. For a full list of requirements, visit the University of Minnesota program catalog and select "Comparative and International Development Education" under "Requirements" > "Program Sub-Plan Requirements."
To match your specific goals, the program offers two tailored tracks: Plan A is designed for those seeking a foundation in original inquiry and includes a 10-credit thesis, while Plan B is designed for professionals focusing on advanced coursework and a culminating colloquium paper / project.
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Choose Plan A if: you are driven by the critical interrogation of theory and want to develop the methodological expertise to produce original comparative research as a base for future doctoral-level study.
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Choose Plan B if: you want to apply a transnational lens to practical problems, designing innovative solutions that are deeply situated within specific organizational or community contexts.
With our Plan A option, we offer a unique pathway for students who want a professional degree but want to keep the door open for a PhD—a flexibility many programs lack.
Program core (3 credits)
OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr)
Specialization (6 credits)
Select a specialization and choose two courses:
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)
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)
Select courses from the following in consultation with your advisor.
- OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- OLPD 8812—Quantitative Research in Education (3 cr)
- CI 5116—Action Research Methods to Improve College Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5247—Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 cr)
- EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 5262—Intermediate Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods in Education I (3 cr)
Related fields (6 credits)
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 (6 credits minimum)
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 (10 credits)
Take 10 or more credits of the following:
- OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)
With our plan B option, we provide a versatile pathway for professionals who want to deepen their specialized expertise through advanced coursework—an agility that allows you to immediately apply global insights to local practice.
Program core (3 credits)
OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr)
Specialization (6 credits)
Select a specialization and choose two courses:
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)
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)
Select courses from the following in consultation with your advisor.
- OLPD 5056—Case Studies for Policy Research (3 cr)
- OLPD 5061—Ethnographic Research Methods (3 cr)
- OLPD 5501—Principles and Methods of Evaluation (3 cr)
- OLPD 8812—Quantitative Research in Education (3 cr)
- CI 5116—Action Research Methods to Improve College Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- CI 8148—Conducting Qualitative Studies in Educational Contexts (3 cr)
- EPSY 5244—Survey Design, Sampling, and Implementation (3 cr)
- EPSY 5247—Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology (3 cr)
- EPSY 5261—Introductory Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 5262—Intermediate Statistical Methods (3 cr)
- EPSY 8261—Statistical Methods in Education I (3 cr)
Related fields (6 credits)
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 credits minimum)
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)
Faculty
At the heart of this program is a "colleague-in-training" philosophy. You are invited into the field through a partnership model that prioritizes your development as an independent scholar and practitioner. Our faculty are active researchers and consultants for organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank, and they prioritize co-authoring articles and co-presenting at major international conferences with students.
- Social justice and gender equity: Work with Joan DeJaeghere to explore how education empowers marginalized youth.
- Global higher education and disability rights: Collaborate with Christopher Johnstone on increasing access for all learners.
- Migration and transnationalism: Study with Roozbeh Shirazi to investigate how migration and political identities shape educational experiences.
- Intercultural competence and leadership: Learn from Barbara Kappler and Marina Aleixo to master the practical application of global engagement and cross-border collaborations.
- Indigenous and land-based education: Partner with Meixi, Elizabeth Sumida Huaman, and Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair to engage with decolonial methodologies and Indigenous knowledge systems.
- STEM education and sustainability: Join Bhaskar Upadhyay to examine how science education and environmental justice are situated within diverse cultural and global contexts.
Contact
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and a member of our department will be in touch. Your information will not be shared outside of our department.