MA in Comparative and International Disability Policy

Introduction

The Master’s of International Affairs in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP) is the world’s first virtual Master’s degree in disability policy. At the forefront of technological innovation, the program’s cyberinfrastructure cuts across geographic boundaries, allowing faculty to teach and students to be taught entirely online. Anyone from around the world can apply.

The CIDP Master’s degree, offered by the School of International Service at American University, is the centerpiece program of the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP), which is led by the Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities (COTELCO), a research center at American University.

The CIDP Master’s degree offers the flexibility of being completed in one year over three terms – Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters – or on an extended part-time basis.

Key Program Features

  • First SIS degree to be offered in an entirely virtual format
  • Students can take courses from anywhere in the world
  • Courses incorporate Universal Design for Learning principles, and are accessible to blind, deaf, and mobility impaired students
  • Courses can be experienced in real time or accessed on demand as recordings
  • One year accelerated or extended part-time flexibility offered
  • Anyone from around the world can apply

Concentration Tracks

  • Disability Studies
  • Management and Leadership

Application Requirements

  • Online Application
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • GRE/TOEFL
  • Two Letters of Recommendation

Application Deadline

Fall Admission Only: January 15

Accreditation and licensing information

Fellowship

The Nippon Foundation will award up to fifteen full fellowships per year to CIDP students. Preference will be given to students from the ASEAN region who are blind or visually impaired; deaf or hard of hearing; and/or mobility impaired. These full fellowships include tuition, books, required assistive technology, and other support services for recipients. For more information on fellowship eligibility and requirements, please visit http://aseanidpp.org/fellowships.

Tuition and Fees

For information on fees for the CIDP program, please click here.

Important Notes

CIDP is the first SIS degree to be offered in a completely virtual format. Program entrants will be required to participate in a two-week residency period and orientation event prior to the start of the program.