About International Education MEd – Online

Graduates should have developed an in-depth awareness of cultural differences; the ability to apply critical theory and pedagogy in both schools and communities in domestic and/or international settings; and practical skills in training, project development, research, and evaluation.

The International Education program at the UMass Amherst College of Education has been at the forefront of cutting edge approaches to international education and development for over 50 years. This top-ranked Master of Education program, taught by world-class UMass Amherst faculty, delivers hands-on practical experience through a field-based, rigorous curriculum. Serve your local community by completing your coursework close to home.

Through the completion of 12 classes (36 credits) in a comprehensive and agile course of study, our MEd students engage in experiential and academic projects to grow as scholar-practitioners engaged in socially just approaches to education and development. The built-in flexibility allows you to complete your degree in as little as 12 months, and fully online. As an online program, this M.Ed. is through University Without Walls (UWW) and student register for Univ+ classes. The degree is an M.Ed. in International Education from the University of Massachusetts.

We seek candidates from a wide range of personal, professional, and academic backgrounds. Our students benefit from sharing their diverse perspectives and real-world knowledge. The online learning format prioritizes collaboration between students and faculty. Our program engages educators in critical inquiry and reflection to develop socially just approaches to equitable educational solutions around the world.

The flexible structure of the online MEd allows you to cultivate ready-to-use skills while continuing to work and advance your professional skills.

You will:

  • Build a worldwide network through classes with peers and faculty around the world
  • Grow academically and professionally while simultaneously advancing your career and education
  • Apply your professional and academic skills to real-world examples in real-time
  • Join a powerful and well-established alumni network
  • Be taught by full-time faculty and established practitioners throughout your degree
  • Be part of a robust and engaged community of scholars around the world

Want to learn more about the program? We offer Virtual Information Sessions throughout the semester for a chance to speak with faculty, advisors, current students and/or other prospective students over Zoom. Upcoming Information Sessions will be scheduled soon.

If you want more information or to set up an individual appointment by Zoom, phone or in-person, please email Annie Stephany internationaled [at] umass [dot] edu (subject: UMass%20International%20Education%20M.Ed.%20Online%20Info%20Request) (internationaled[at]umass[dot]edu).  

Teaching young students in a classroom in Nepal

What to Expect 

You will be part of a global program of scholar-practitioners working towards living lives making a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable populations around the world.

You will work alongside peers, alumni, and faculty engaged in socially just education work in all corners of the globe throughout your program. You will work with a faculty advisor and a peer advisor throughout your program, and you will have opportunities to work alongside our outstanding network of alums engaged in all levels of work globally.

As a student in our program, you will nurture your skills to:

Advocate: The MEd in International Education at UMass Amherst has been grounded in socially just approaches to some of the world’s most intractable education challenges for more than 50 years. Our learning community is comprised of students, faculty, and alumni from around the world. Working collaboratively, you will learn to advocate for equitable outcomes for marginalized communities.

Lead: Our students are immersed in academics grounded in practical, professional experiences. By studying and working concurrently, students grow their academic learning in research methodologies, critical social theories, and educational policy nurture and grow their abilities as scholar-practitioners in real-time. Graduates leave our program with outstanding skills in reflective practice that progresses inquiry and research empowering them to think broadly as leaders making a difference in the world.

Collaborate: The strength of our program is rooted in you, our students. As you work together with outstanding scholar-practitioners around the world, you will work together to explore, problem solve and create, enhancing skills that benefit each other and the field as a whole.

Create: By nurturing your skills through a combination of relevant coursework and practical experiences alongside scholar-practitioners around the world, you will strengthen your skills in designing, managing, and implementing innovative programs and policies that make a real difference in creating equitable educational outcomes around the globe.

How an MEd in International Education can help your career

As a student in our program, you will learn how to develop the concrete analytical and practical skills alongside a deep theoretical base in international education development to stand out as a practitioner in your field. You will build the reflection and practical skills to emerge as a leader in project design, implementation, and management; in decision-making and management of both small and large teams; in policy-making and innovative program planning

teacher in Nepal drawing on board in class

How much does the degree cost? 

University Without Walls (UWW/CPE) at UMass Amherst administers registration and payments for the graduate certificate.  Courses are listed as "Univ+ (UWW)" courses on SPIRE. 

Further information about tuition can be found on the Online Program Tuition and Fees page. For UMass options, please contact the Bursars Office at bursar [at] admin [dot] umass [dot] edu (bursar[at]admin[dot]umass[dot]edu) or call 413-545-0337. 

Contact

For program specific information, please contact Annie Stephany at internationaled [at] umass [dot] edu (internationaled[at]umass[dot]edu). 

Step 1:

Current Students: If you have been accepted into the online MEd program, you are considered a current student. You will automatically be given a UWW enrollment appointment for the fall and spring semesters. You can skip to Step 3 once you see your "Student Center" option available as an M.Ed. student on SPIRE.  Please note special Summer Session Instructions: All students must request a non-degree UWW enrollment appointment for the summer semester.

Prospective Students/ Non-degree: Students who have applied for admission to a program but wish to take classes for academic credit before their official admit term, or non-degree students who wish to take a class or two for academic credit before applying are welcome to do so and considered new students. There are special instructions for this on the How to Enroll in Online Classes (for non-degree student) page.

Step 2: UWW Enrollment Appointments

  • In SPIRE, navigate to the Manage Classes Tile from your Student Center, then Enrollment Appointments. 
  • Select Term you need to take your class.
  • Make sure to click "yes" to agree to acknowledgements.  This appointment represents the time period during which you will be able to enroll in UWW classes in SPIRE.
  • For detailed instructions for MEd students, please visit our Requesting an Enrollment Appointment in SPIRE page.

Step 3: Self-Enrolling in Classes

  • Once you have your enrollment appointment, you can then enroll in your classes by navigating to  Manage Classes > Add, Drop and Edit Classes > Class Search Add and Enroll. Search for the class using the course number (e.g. EDUC 733).

Additional resources are here: Tutorial for Self-Enrolling

To enroll in an independent study, talk to your advisor.

Please visit the University Without Walls website for more information on enrolling in courses, enrollment exceptions, and late add.

Questions? 

Review the Enrollment FAQs or contact the UWW Registrar's Office at regoff@uww.umass.edu or call 413-545-3653 or 800-922-8211