Academic Program

Program Focus

The ITEP program consists of 36 credit hours, 18 of which are core credits. Students can pursue their degree in either full or part time student status and most classes are scheduled after 5:30pm so that students can work full or part time as well.

Students in this program are encouraged to take courses and skills institutes, to engage in research activities, and to participate as volunteers or interns within programs or organizations that are concerned with the following areas:

1. International Development Education: focuses on the role of education in international development, including education in developing countries, countries in conflict and post-conflict reconstruction, and nations in transition. Coursework in this concentration addresses such issue areas as: access, quality, and equity; the role of education in national development; flexible and alternative forms of education and schooling; policy formulation; project/program design and management; and training program design.
2. International Exchange: focuses on the role of education in promoting global and cross-cultural knowledge and understanding necessary for an increasingly interdependent world. Coursework includes policy and planning for international exchange and study abroad, international student advising, education abroad, intercultural communication, internationalizing higher education, developing and managing education abroad programs, training program design and strategic planning. Additionally, this concentration addresses the linkages between international development education and international exchange and study abroad through the process of capacity-building.
3. Global Education: focuses on the ways in which an international perspective can be integrated into the primary and secondary school curricula in the US. Coursework includes curriculum development, global literacy, intercultural communication, development of learning materials, training program design, and the internationalization of US institutions through international exchange, international student advising, and study abroad programs.
4. Global Health: focuses on educating students about critical international health issues. Coursework includes Health Promotion, Global Health, and Global Health Policy. Students with this concentration often pursue careers with organizations such as the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization.

Program Flexibility

To complement the core ITEP program, students take electives in international communication, peace and conflict resolution, curriculum and instruction, international development, and management. Students also have the option of pursuing teaching certification for Secondary Education and TESOL. There are also various 1 credit skills institutes offered for elective credit.

Required Course Descriptions

• EDU 598 Comparative and International Education
• EDU 610 Methods of Inquiry: Utilizing Information Effectively and EDU 621 001 Topics in Social Science Research Participatory Action Research
• EDU 612 Equity and Educational Opportunity
• EDU 618 Human Growth and Development across the Life Span
• EDU 642 Training Program Design
• EDU 685 Proseminar: International Training and Education

EDU-598 Comparative and International Education (3) - An examination of the ways in which education systems vary across regions and countries and the implications for international education. Emphasis is on how educational policy, capacity, governance, institution building, and practice are shaped by the contexts in which they are embedded. Includes globalization, access, equity, equality opportunity, and capacity building. Usually offered every fall.

EDU-610 Methods of Inquiry: Utilizing Information Effect (2) - Examines how qualitative and quantitative research is utilized to understand complex issues. Explores how research shapes and influences educational policy and practice, how individuals evaluate the efficacy of research information received, and how they make informed choices and decisions when initiating research by themselves or others. Usually offered every fall.

EDU-621 001 Topics in Social Science Research Participatory Action Research (1) - This course explores the concepts, assumptions, methods and experiences related to participatory action research as an approach for international and local development practitioners to identify actions that lead to achieving realistic outcomes to solve problems and conflicts. Focuses on collaboration, participation, and critical thinking.

EDU-612 Equity and Educational Opportunity (3) - An inquiry into the meaning of equity, emphasizing the concepts of "equity of conditions" and "equity of outcomes" and their implications for education policy and practice. The course considers theoretical and research-based perspectives on the relationship between social inequity and educational opportunity, particularly related to socioeconomic class, gender, ethnicity, age, and special needs populations; and the roles and responsibilities of schools as agents of cultural transmission and opportunity. Usually offered every fall.

EDU-618 Human Growth and Development across the Life Span (3) - An examination of theoretical and research informed principles of human growth and development across the life span. Attention is given to the interplay of biological, cognitive, social, and cultural factors on the developing person. Includes applications of life span concepts from international and multicultural perspectives. Usually offered every fall and summer.

EDU-642 Training Program Design (3) - An introduction to the design and delivery of adult training programs, emphasizing the development of skills in a variety of training components: needs assessment, goals and objectives, training methodologies and materials, and evaluation. This course is equally appropriate for novice trainers or those with previous experience. Usually offered every fall and spring.

EDU-685 Proseminar: International Training and Education (3) - Serving as a capstone course for the M. A. in International Education, students prepare a portfolio that synthesizes their program of study and identifies and analyses organizations that operate in their area. Usually offered every fall and spring. Prerequisite: International Education M.A. candidates or permission of instructor.

Concentration Core Courses (2 courses, 6 credits)

• International Development Education
  • EDU 648 Education and Development: Sector Analysis
  • EDU 649 Nonformal Education and Development

EDU-648 Education and Development: Sector Analysis (3) - Examines education as a social institution that both reflects and influences social, economic, and political life in nation states and globally. Emphasizes the role of education as an engine for change in the Third World. Organized around a logical framework of analysis, sometimes called the Sector Assessment Format, this course analyzes and compares educational systems by examining issues of access, equity, international efficiency, quality, and external efficiency. Usually offered every spring.

EDU-649 Nonformal Education and Development (3) - An examination of the role of nonformal education in the economic, social, and political development of developing nations. Specifically, the course deals with out-of-school programs in adult education, literacy, health, family planning, agriculture, nutrition, and community development. Case materials from several countries are used to study the issues and techniques involved in human resource development. Usually offered every fall and spring.

• International Exchange and Study Abroad
  • EDU 614 International Exchange: Policies and Practices
  • EDU 647 Global and Multicultural Education

EDU-614 International Education Exchange: Policies and Practices (3) - An examination of international educational exchange, intercultural communication, and study abroad programs. Includes consideration of the design and administration of such programs and the linkages with capacity building and development in international education. Attention is given to the implications for the internationalization of U.S. education and for education ands development abroad. Usually offered every fall and spring.

EDU-647 Global and Multicultural Education (3) - This course deals with the role of American education in an interdependent world, examining both the multicultural character of American classrooms and the international dimensions of the American school curriculum. It explores such issues as ethnocentrism, empathy, and global awareness, including an analysis of educational materials and methods useful in treating these issues. A special emphasis is placed on developing skills for cross-cultural understanding and communication. Usually offered every spring.

• Global Education
  • EDU 619 Children's Literature: A Critical Literacy Approach
  • EDU 624 Language, Schooling, and Nation-Building

EDU-619 Children's Literature: A Critical Literacy Approach (3) - Exploration and analysis of preschool to adolescent children's literature from a critical literary perspective. Includes how contemporary issues are reflected in different genres, as well as marginalization, gender equity, social inequity, racism, and censorship. Usually offered every spring.

EDU-624 Language, Schooling, and Nation-Building (3) - This team-taught (anthropology and education) course surveys recent research on nonstandard language and schooling in the context of post-colonial change. It considers how non-standard varieties of national languages as well as language traditions assigned lesser prestige by national language policies influence school performance and affect classroom practices in language arts, mathematics, and other content/instructional areas. Implications for non-print literacies and for other areas of nation-building after colonialism are also explored.

• Global Health
  • HFIT 575 Global Health
  • HFIT 585 Global Health Policy

HFIT-575 Global Health (3) - This course examines health issues around the globe such as disease rates, maternal and child health, violence, nutrition, and health care systems. Includes existing strategies in specific countries, new strategies for advancing the idea of health promotion, and the role of the United States in influencing planning for effective health promotion. Usually offered every fall.

HFIT-585 Global Health Policy (3) - This course presents an historical foundation for global health policies, the processes of systematic policy formation and analysis, and the relationship between global health policies and social and economic development. Major bodies of influence, such as the World Health Organization and the Pan-American Health Organization, and their role in forming and enforcing international health policies. The role of state, local, and federal governments and other forms of political and social governance are discussed, as well as cultural health issues and barriers to policy development and enforcement. Usually offered in the spring.

Sample Elective Course Descriptions (4 courses, 12 credits)

EDU-611 Formative Ideas of Contemporary Education (3) - Analysis of turning-point social and educational thought and research instrumental in shaping modern educational institutions, their cultures, policies, and practices. Social ideas and educational research and philosophy are linked to institutional values, policy and practice, and to contemporary educational issues such as equity, multiculturalism, and global education. Usually offered every spring.

EDU-713 Advanced Training Program Design (3) - This course models a variety of types of training such as diversity, health/behavior change, literacy, conflict resolution, small business, and youth and/or outbound bound training. It focuses on skills building and discussion of strategies for co-facilitation, difficult participants, and misinformed needs analysis. The course is structured as a "training practicum" though which students develop and conduct training exercises that are video taped and critiqued through class discussion. Prerequisite: EDU-642 or permission of instructor or program director.

EDU-792 002 Internship in International Education (1-6 credits)

EDU 797 001 Masters Thesis (1-6 credits)

PUAD-613 Administration of International Programs (3) - Organizational and administrative problems of program management in an interdependent world. The administration of government programs in developing countries and the management of international organizations. The effects of development programs and the consequences of alternative management strategies. Usually offered every fall

PUAD-614 Development Management (3) - The problems of administering public programs in developing countries and the methods by which development projects are carried out. For international students who will be returning to developing countries as well as for Americans interested in international administration. Usually offered every spring

PUAD-617 Project Management (3) - Fundamental concepts of project management for carrying out discrete operations in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private sector organizations providing public services. Project design, planning, scheduling, systems engineering, cost estimation, innovation, and processes for conducting high-risk operations in risk-adverse environments. Usually offered once a year.

PUAD-656 Managing Diversity (3) - Focuses on the challenges managers face as they learn to work creatively and effectively with a diverse, multicultural workforce. The dimensions of diversity and people who are different, and the ways to become a more innovative and appropriate manager of difference are examined and explored. Usually offered every summer.

SIS-596 Gender and Conflict (3) - This course introduces gender as a significant category of analysis for the study of local and global politics and such phenomena as peace, war, and security. Questions of identity, power, and change are explored from a variety of feminist perspectives while paying particular attention to the construction and transformation of gender identities and roles during both times of conflict and transition towards resolution. May be taken as pass/fail only. Contact (202) 885-1622 for room location information.

SIS-637 International Development (3) - Alternative theories and definitions of development as expressed in the major international institutions (aid agencies, cartels, multinational corporations) concerned with the transfer of resources. Considers the problems of the "change-agent" in working for development and examines the major development issues. Usually offered every term.

SIS-640 International Communications (3) - International communication as a field of inquiry and research: perspectives, theories, and assumptions underlying communication between nations and peoples; international flow of information and its implications in relations among nations and cultures. Usually offered every term.

SIS-642 Cross-Cultural Communication (3) - Contribution of relevant social and behavioral sciences to the study of intercultural and cross-cultural communication. Analysis of culture as communication and value-systems as essential in communication. Usually offered alternate springs.

SIS-648 Women and Development (3)- Provides the student with a critical evaluation of the main theoretical structures of feminism as applied to an analysis of the multiple facets of women's lives in the developing world. Explores the diverse socioeconomic, cultural, religious and political factors that affect women including the impact of development itself. Usually offered every spring. Prerequisite: SIS-637 or equivalent.

SOCY-553 Multiculturalism (3) - Offers a comprehensive view of the social experiences of diverse cultural groups in societies such as the United States. Highlights the intersections of culture with race, gender, and class. Reviews both the critique and the appreciation of cultural diversity in the light of social research. Usually offered alternate falls. Prerequisite: graduate standing or three courses in sociology.

Sample Skills Institute Descriptions

SIS-638-001 Project and Program Development (1) - Focuses on the development of skills to evaluate projects and programs using a variety of qualitative tools. Provides a basic understanding of the steps in preparing for and conducting an evaluation. Includes you as the evaluator; designing programs and designing evaluations; developing indicators; and practicing the use of several different tools.

SIS-638-004 Gender Analysis and Development (1) - This course explores the concept of gender and its practical application to international development programs and policy. Covers a variety of analytical and planning tools as well as frameworks and methodologies developed and used by gender practitioners and activists worldwide. Takes a broad approach to development, including strategies that address basic needs and those that promote rights and strengthen civil society.

SIS-638-003 Cultural Dynamics of Management (1) - This course focuses on culture's impact on human interaction (both verbal and non-verbal communication) with the intent of enhancing participants' intercultural skills in a work environment. Through experiential exercises, class discussion, and independent study, participants develop the ability to analyze their own cultural patterns, to differentiate them from those of other value systems, and to adapt them for effective multicultural management.

SIS-638-001 Strategic Planning for International Development (1) - Working in teams, participants are guided through a rigorous, 3-day strategic planning process simulation. Using an international development case study, participants complete the steps of the planning process, including situation analysis, goal setting, strategy formulation, and action planning. Teams present plans which are evaluated from different stakeholder perspectives. Tools and techniques covered include SWOT analysis, cause and effect diagrams, nominal group technique, prioritization, and consensus-building. Relevant strategic planning examples are presented at organizational, program, and project levels from donor agencies, development programs, public, and non-profit sectors.

SIS-638-002 Cost-Benefit Analysis (1) - Introduces participants to the fundamental analytical concepts, techniques, and issues in cost-benefit analysis and engages participants in the application of these concepts and techniques to actual case studies in problem-solving environments. Utilizes a case study approach, drawing on projects from India, Egypt, and Burkina Faso.

SIS-638-N01 Grant and Proposal Writing (1) - This intensive course focuses on organizing, writing, and editing skills for winning proposals for foreign aid programs, primarily for donors such as USAID and UNHCR, although proposal requirements of other donors including USDA, the World Bank, and major foundations are also compared and contrasted. The primarily focus is on grant proposals from the point of view of a non-governmental agency, but contract and IQC proposals are also considered. Students should have some prior technical area experience, such as humanitarian aid, microfinance, food aid, or peacebuilding.

EDU-621-001 Participatory Action Research (1) - This course explores the concepts, assumptions, methods, and experiences related to participatory action research as an approach for international and local development practitioners to identify actions that lead to achieving realist outcome to solve problems and conflicts. It focuses on collaboration, participation, and critical thinking.

IMI Multinational Team-Building (1) - This institute will explore effective communication skills and problem-solving techniques to utilize when working with teams whose members are from more than one cultural background. Interpersonal and organizational approaches will be examined to help participants create tools for recognizing the strengths and developing cohesion among multicultural teams and individual team members, while acknowledging the contexts in which teams often function.

IMI Creative Ways of Bridging Intercultural Conflict (1) - In today's organizations and communities, a range of creative, holistic approaches are needed to prevent, understand, and transform conflict. Holistic approaches meet difference with dialogue, integrating intuition with analysis to inform collaborative processes. Emotional intelligence and cultural fluency are central to this work. Participants in this intensive experiential course will learn and apply ways to work across worldview differences drawing on a range of creative tools.

IMI Programming for International Education (1) - This course is an intensive practicum for individuals whose work entails, or will entail, the design and implementation of study abroad programs, international student advisement, and campus internationalization efforts. The course takes a hands-on, skill-oriented approach to the administrative realities facing practitioners, and also gives participants opportunities to grapple with the conceptual and ethical issues associated with international programming. The instructor utilizes case studies, critical incidents, and small-group activities and focuses on participants' real-life experiences and learning goals in an effort to make the course as relevant as possible to individuals.