Comparative and international development education MA
in Organizational Leadership, Policy and DevelopmentBecome 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.
- Specialized Knowledge: An MA in Higher Education provides specialized knowledge and skills related to the unique challenges and opportunities within higher education. This includes understanding the organizational structure of universities, student development theories, building equity and inclusion, and the various functions within student affairs.
- Career Advancement: Many positions within higher education and student affairs require or prefer candidates with advanced degrees. Holding an MA in this field can enhance your competitiveness for administrative and leadership roles in colleges and universities.
- Professional Development: The program typically includes practical experiences, internships, and opportunities for networking within the field. This can help you build a strong professional network and gain practical skills that are directly applicable to your future career.
- Impact on Student Success: Professionals in higher education and student affairs play a crucial role in supporting student success and well-being. With an MA in this field, you can contribute to the development and implementation of programs and services that positively impact students' academic, personal, and social experiences.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Our program emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This education equips you with the knowledge and skills to create inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and support all students.
- Advising and Helping Skills: The program often includes training in advising and helping techniques, preparing you to work with students facing academic, personal, or career-related challenges. This skill set is valuable in roles such as academic advising or student services.
- Understanding Higher Education Trends: An MA program in this field typically covers current trends, issues, and challenges in higher education. This knowledge is valuable for professionals who want to contribute to shaping the future of higher education institutions.
- Research Opportunities: Our large university system offers opportunities for research, allowing you to contribute to the scholarship and literature in higher education and student affairs. Engaging in research can enhance your critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Fulfillment of Personal and Professional Goals: If you have a passion for working in education and helping students succeed, pursuing an MA in Higher Education can be personally fulfilling. It allows you to align your career with your values and interests.
Benefits
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.
Careers
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 credits (without a thesis, but with additional coursework). Both are completed in 2 years for for full-time students.
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)
Thesis credits
Take 10 or more credits of the following:
- OLPD 8777—Thesis Credits: Master's (10 cr)
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.
Research design and methods (3 credits)
Course(s) to be selected in consultation with advisor.
Program core (3 credits)
OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr)
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)
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)
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.
Research design and methods (3 credits)
Course(s) to be selected in consultation with advisor.
Program core (3 credits)
- OLPD 5087—MA Research Seminar (3 cr)
- OR OLPD 5095—Problems: Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (3 cr)
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)
How to apply
Admission Deadline
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.
Admission Requirements
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: Undergraduate 3.0
GRE: 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
If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures.
Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.
- Complete the proper online readmission application.
If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
- Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member.
Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
- Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.
Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may differ from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.
Individuals seeking readmission to the Ph.D., Ed.D., and M.A. program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.
Detailed application instructions
Click here to access the online application for admission.
Required fields in the application for admission are: Personal Information, Application Information, Educational Background, Languages, Awards & Activities, Employment/Residence Information, Financial Support, Applicant Statements #1 & #2, Recommendation Letters (limit 2), and Resume or CV. All other fields or application materials are optional, but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Fees:
Review information about application fees here. The University of Minnesota Graduate School does not offer application fee waivers, reductions, or refunds.
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. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material. Click here for more information about transcripts and credentials.
GRE scores are not only not required, they are not considered for applications to this program.
Statement #1, Personal Statement (required): Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person’s name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field. If you are applying for the Ph.D.—CIDE/Leadership for
Intercultural and International Education (LIIE) or the Ph.D—EPL/Executive cohort programs, indicate this in your statement as well. [Please do not exceed two pages.]
Statement #2, Diversity Statement (required): 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. [Limit 1200 characters.]
Two letters of recommendation (required). The strongest recommendations typically come from current or former professors who can assess your potential for graduate work. Other recommenders, such as employers, are also acceptable.
English Language Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) Click here for more information about TOEFL Scores.
Common Ground Consortium Fellowship: If you wish to be considered for a Common Ground Consortium fellowship for African-American students indicate this by uploading your statement in the "Program Supplementary Information -Upload #1" section. The statement should briefly address the following: Given that the UMN is a public land grant institution, it is imperative that CGC scholars can both benefit personally from their membership in the program as well as further the university’s founding mission to contribute to scholarship that benefits the local and greater communities. Please describe how your participation as a CGC scholar would do the following: (a) enhance your graduate student experience, (b) prepare you for your chosen career, and (c) benefit the public.
Questions?
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