International Education

[Busti Bustamante]

Hey all!

I'm a May 2010 graduate, BA Psych, and after taking two years off from university I think I've finally figured out what I'd like to pursue a graduate degree in... International Education!

I first started contemplating an "International Relations" degree, but I wasn't liking the policy/government focus of many of the programs, shifted to a "International Communication" degree but wanted something more broad and applicable to a variety of careers and then I stumbled across "International Education!"

I would eventually love to work at a university in a study abroad office, with an international non-profit, maybe a government program, something like Fulbright/Peace Corps... anyway, I have a few questions...

1. I don't have too much experience in "education," I've never taught and don't wish to teach, at least not now, would this be weird that I'm considering an education degree without this concrete, "teaching" experience...

2. I have no idea as far as "research interests" go... should I have a definite idea of research interests upon applying to grad schools? or would my "study abroad experience, international conferences, international studies certificate be enough to show an interest despite an education degree and a clear research interest)

3. I've spent some time looking at different programs and considering courses, tuition, location, degree program, internship requirement, etc... I'm really liking American University and New York University Int'l Ed programs, would it be difficult to get some sort of funding... are there other good, broad programs that aren't too policy focused?

4. Are there any national, fellowships in which someone in the education field could apply for? I applied for a Fulbright ETA this year and was just notified of my alternate status, is there something I could apply for and get funding to cover graduate expenses?

I'm sorry for asking so many questions, but I'm just really wanting to pursue this graduate degree and feel that despite researching for two years there is still so much of the field and study that I know little about.

Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated... I would really like this thread to become a place of continual discourse for anyone interested in the international education field... I see y'all out there!

Thank you!!!

[aronofsky]

Just out of curiosity, which country were you listed as a Fulbright alternate for?

[kismetcapitan]

I'm halfway through Vanderbilt's two-year program, and I can definitely say that it's a LOT more like an international M.P.P. program than an 8-month M.Ed.

[Busti Bustamante]

Just out of curiosity, which country were you listed as a Fulbright alternate for?

Portugal!

I'm still hoping to get an e-mail in the coming weeks that reads something like, "Due to increased funding, you are awarded a Fulbright grant!!"

Hey, a guy can dream.

I'm halfway through Vanderbilt's two-year program, and I can definitely say that it's a LOT more like an international M.P.P. program than an 8-month M.Ed.

How so?

As someone who's halfway through a M. Ed program at Vanderbilt, what advice would you give someone looking for a graduate degree program in International Education. Are you happy with your choice, now realizing that it's a lot more MPP than M.Ed? I know a lot of prospective education graduate students are wanting a more policy-centered program... Did that play into your decision?

Thanks for the reply!!

[SweetPea_45]

Hi there,

I've flirted with the idea of a masters in ed policy, since I'm interested in education, but much like you I don't want to teach. I don't think there is anything wrong with going after a graduate degree in international education without experience. There are many reasons why people go back to graduate school, one of which is to pursue a different career path. You are gaining experience through the graduate degree, as opposed to working your way up through job/ hands on experience. One thing you may want to consider, is doing informational interviews with individuals in a career that you are interested in, before spending big $$$ on a grad degree, only to find out that you aren't interested in this type of work.

[Busti Bustamante]

Hi there,

I've flirted with the idea of a masters in ed policy, since I'm interested in education, but much like you I don't want to teach. I don't think there is anything wrong with going after a graduate degree in international education without experience. There are many reasons why people go back to graduate school, one of which is to pursue a different career path. You are gaining experience through the graduate degree, as opposed to working your way up through job/ hands on experience. One thing you may want to consider, is doing informational interviews with individuals in a career that you are interested in, before spending big $$$ on a grad degree, only to find out that you aren't interested in this type of work.

I like that idea... the informational interviews!

I'm looking into NYU and American University... there's something about those two programs that I'm really liking.

Worried about funding though, don't know how comfortable I am with taking out huge loans!

[kismetcapitan]

very few members of my cohort plan on teaching after graduation; where we're headed are big NGOs or the World Bank - there's a developmental economics program here at Vanderbilt as well, and the difference boils down to this: they have intensive econ core classes, and we're education policy specialists, but that's about it. They're more broadly trained for general economic development policy, where we're specialists in using education for development.

I was a teacher for a long time and didn't see myself as a macro policy person; nearing the end of my first year, that has completely changed. With our employment prospects, those of us with loans aren't too worried.

[Andsowego]

Hi Busti,

I'd like to try to respond to your first question:

I'm currently doing my PhD in Education (I do have a teaching background), but there are several people in my program (MEd and PhD) who don't have teaching backgrounds (and their experiences are somewhat similar to yours - education related, but not teaching related). The only major problem I forsee, is that without teaching experience (and without a BEd yourself) you will have a really hard time getting any TA work in a Faculty of Education. Since the undergrads in a Faculty of Education are BEd students, you'd essentially be "teaching teachers" and without any teaching experience yourself, you're going to be at the bottom of the TA selection list (unless there's a TA position where you're just marking stuff, and not doing any independent teaching). It clearly doesn't stop you from pursuing an MEd, but it's definitely something to consider if you are going to need funding via TA positions.

Edited April 8, 2012 by Andsowego