About International Education MEd
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.
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. Our program engages educators in critical inquiry and reflection to develop socially just approaches to equitable educational solutions around the world.
Through the completion of 11 classes (33 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.
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 M.Ed. Education degree is offered in two formats, in-person or online:
- The in-person program is at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, located in Western Massachusetts.
- For those who choose the online program option, the courses are offered online in an asynchronous format and, therefore, accessible worldwide. Many people choose to serve their local communities by completing coursework close to home. This M.Ed. option is through University Without Walls (UWW) and students register for University+ classes.
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).
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.
How much does the degree cost?
There are different costs depending on the program format.
For the In-person program- the University of Massachusetts Graduate School tuition applies.
For the online program- 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 online 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).