Master's in International Education

Elevate Your Impact on a Global Level

To ensure constructive leadership and improvements in our global community, international education professionals must address critical issues concerning education reform and social justice on a global scale.

Through in-class curriculum and international opportunities, our International Education Program (IEP) empowers you to improve systems of education and to increase access to quality education around the world. In the IEP, you will explore the history, culture, development, contemporary concerns, and future trends of schooling and higher education in well-resourced, under-resourced, and/or conflict and emergency contexts. You will be prepared as a leader in training, learning, and development in diverse settings that require cross-cultural competencies.

With more than 30 years of experience, our program has a rich history and a robust network of alumni in the DC area and around the world working in international and non-profit organizations, government, business, and school settings.

 

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Concentrations
Deepen your expertise in critical areas of the field, including International Education Development, International Higher Education, and Global Education.

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Partnerships + Fellowships
IEP maintains a partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), serving as a designated UNESCO Chair that offers a UNESCO Fellows program.

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Convenient Schedule
Designed with the busy professional in mind, courses are scheduled once a week in late afternoons and evenings (Monday-Thursday), allowing you to balance your career, personal life, and education seamlessly.



 

Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 UNESCO Fellow Cohort

Deadline to Apply: January 10, 2025, by 11:59 PM EST

 

 

The GW Advantage

Our location in D.C.—the epicenter of policy, practice, and research—provides you with the distinct advantage of being able to access global opportunities within walking distance of campus by working or interning for embassies, the U.S. government, or more than 100 organizations that influence international education.

Students have the opportunity to receive class credit for internships, available both domestically and abroad, as well as short-term study abroad programs.

GSEHD offers students access to opinion leaders and the opportunity to learn from our faculty who are leading experts on global policy trends, assessments, politics, conflict and education, student exchange, access, equity and inclusion, global citizenship, migration, and more. Our diverse student body comes together from across the country and around the globe, bringing a wide range of professional experience, skills, and enriching knowledge.

 

 

 

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 Program at a Glance

Degree Awarded:

Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in the Field of International Education

Department:

Educational Leadership

Course Delivery:

Foggy Bottom Campus

Program Entry:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Our Mission

The mission of our program is to:

  • Optimize the constructive leadership capacity of individuals to advance education reform, and social and environmental justice on a global scale.
  • Enhance individual, organizational, and community resilience, effectiveness, and equity at global, national, and local levels.
  • Train scholar-practitioners with the capacity to lead and address critical education issues in international organizations, government, business, and non-profit organizations.
Curriculum Requirements
 

Required: 30 credits, including 12 credits in required courses, 6 credits in selected courses, 9 credits in courses in a specialization, and 3 credits in elective courses. 

 
Required
EDUC 6114Introduction to Quantitative Research
or EDUC 6116Introduction to Educational Statistics
EDUC 6601International and Comparative Education
EDUC 6660Capstone in International Education I
EDUC 6661Capstone in International Education II
Selected Courses
Two courses (6 credits) selected from the list below.
EDUC 6602Regional Studies in International Education
EDUC 6610Programs and Policies in International Education
EDUC 6620Strategies and Analysis in International Education
EDUC 6630International Experiences
EDUC 6631Internship: International Education
EDUC 6640Selected Topics in International Education
The selected courses listed above are presented below in three areas. These areas are offered only as a guidepost for students who wish to choose related courses. Taking both courses in one study area is not required.
Education and Development area
EDUC 6610Programs and Policies in International Education (Policy Issues in International Education: Developing Countries)
EDUC 6620Strategies and Analysis in International Education (Planning Education Reform in Developing Countries)
Global Education area
EDUC 6610Programs and Policies in International Education (Migration and Mobility: Exploring Citizenship and Education in the Global Era)
EDUC 6615Internationalizing U.S. Schools
International Higher Education area
EDUC 6610Programs and Policies in International Education (International Higher Education)
EDUC 6620Strategies and Analysis in International Education (Managing Study Abroad and International Student Offices)
Specialization
9 credits in a professional, academic, or regional specialization selected in consultation with the program advisor.
Elective
3 credits of approved electives selected in consultation with the program advisor.

Up to 6 additional credits of internship may be required for students who do not have international education related experience.

Program Outcomes

Through this program, students will be able to:

  • Recognize the rich theoretical perspectives, while stepping out into the complexities of the real world through examining the policies and practices in specific local, regional, national, and global contexts;
  • Acquire the tools, methods, and habits of analysis that enable them to play a variety of key roles as leaders and change agents;
  • Pursue and specialize in cutting-edge topics and issues within and across the field, such as international education development, international higher education, and global education.
Program Data
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More than 85% of surveyed alumni report high level of satisfaction with the IEP

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85% of surveyed alumni maintain a connection with the IEP; 89% report staying in close contact with other alumni of the IEP

 

 

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Graduate Certificate Offered

Students can deepen their specialization further through concurrently enrolling in our related graduate certificate program.
You can earn this graduate certificate first and transfer all 12 credit hours toward the master's degree.*
*All requirements must be met and student accepted to the master's program

 

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Incorporating International Perspectives in Education

This certificate will strengthen your understanding of internationalization as it relates to school systems and the development of K-12 curriculum. Students learn to incorporate global perspectives into curriculum, pedagogy, and school policy and practice.

Learn more >

 

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 Apply Now

GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program. Please review the following admission and financial information.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD >

To learn more about the program, admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at askdel@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.

Apply Now     Schedule Consultation with Admissions Counselor     

To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.

  • Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
  • Resume
  • Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Two Letters of Recommendation

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.

View more details about requirements  

Applications are now being accepted for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2025. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.

Application TimelineSpringSummerFall
Priority DeadlineAug 1Nov 1Nov 1
Round 1 DeadlineSept 15Dec 15Dec 15
Round 2 DeadlineNov 1Jan 15Jan 15
Round 3 DeadlineDec 15March 1March 1
Round 4 DeadlineN/AMay 1May 1
Round 5 DeadlineN/AN/AJune 15
Round 6 DeadlineN/AN/AAug 1

 

For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at askdel@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.

 

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 Tuition & Financial Aid

We know embarking upon graduate school is a big decision - due in part to the costs of attending. At GW, we understand the time and thought behind making graduate school work for you. Please take a moment to learn more about the options and opportunities available to help fund your graduate education.

  Students admitted to the Master's in International Education program for the Spring 2025 start term are eligible for a minimum guaranteed scholarship of $12,000 (over the whole program; 6 credits required per semester). It is possible to be awarded additional scholarships. Students must meet eligibility criteria for GSEHD Scholarships in order to qualify.

Learn more about scholarships, grants & financial aid  

Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.

The tuition rate* for the Master's in International Education program is $1,905 per credit hour.

This program requires 30 credits.

Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.

*Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

View the current fee chart  

Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >

 

 

 

Savon Jackson headshot
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Having had the opportunity to complete a Fulbright ETA experience in Kolkata, India, to present my research at conferences and participate in the Kakehashi program as a graduate research in Tokyo, Japan, and to work as a Study Abroad Advisor, the IEP program offered a great balance of theoretical and practical course work for me to explore how education can be used to combat inequalities in society and uplift communities. The faculty’s first hand experience in the field allowed me to better understand the realities and complexities of being a scholar practitioner.

SAVON JACKSON (MA '18)
International Education Program

 

 

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 Career Outlook


Read our guide to top career paths in international education >

Our graduates pursue a wide range of leadership programs in governmental and non-governmental organizations, international organizations, higher education institutions and schools, think tanks and philanthropy. A snapshot of where our graduates are working is found below.

More than 80% of program graduates secured a full-time position while in IEP or within 6 months of graduation. The majority have reported they work within the education sector.

Potential Employment Settings
male professional speaks to group on virtual conference call in his office  - image by DCStudio on Freepik

Our graduates are improving access, equity and the experience of education across the nation and around the world. You will find our graduates leading at a variety of institutions, including some of the following:

  • American School of Mozambique
  • Carnegie Mellon University, Study Abroad/Foreign Student & Scholar Office
  • Chemonics International
  • Earth Force
  • Education Development Center
  • FHI360
  • Foreign Service Institute
  • Georgetown University, BMW Center for German and European Studies
  • Institute of International Education
  • IREX
  • Johns Hopkins University School for Advanced International Studies
  • KIPP DC
  • NAFSA Association of International Educators
  • Smithsonian Science Education Center
  • The Alliance for Global Education
  • The British Council
  • The Fulbright Program
  • The National Institutes of Health
  • The World Bank
  • UNESCO
  • University of Maryland, International Scholar and Student Services
  • US Department of State
  • USAID
  • WomenOne
  • World Learning
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The courses, faculty, and colleagues of the International Education Program at GW have positively expanded my perspective and understanding of education's place within the global context. With many opportunities to connect theory to practice throughout the program, I now have the capacity to integrate the values and goals of global citizenship into my teaching philosophy, lessons, and classroom culture.

JESSICA LEE ('22)
Elementary Educator, Jakarta Intercultural School
Master's in International Education, Graduate Certificate in Incorporating International Perspectives in Education

Jessica Lee poses for photo wearing GW stole and commencement regalia

 

 

 

International Education Faculty

Jihae Cha headshot
Dr. Jihae Cha

Assistant Professor, International Education and International Affairs

Dr. Laura Engel headshot
Dr. Laura Engel

Professor, International Education and International Affairs

(202) 994-0623
Dr. Bernhard Streitwieser headshot
Dr. Bernhard Streitwieser

Associate Professor, International Education and International Affairs

Dr. James Williams headshot
Dr. James Williams

Professor, International Education and International Affairs

 

Affiliated Faculty
Winston Allen headshot
Brad Beecher headshot
Caroline Donovan-White headshot
Kareem Makhlouf headshot

Winston Allen
Director, Program Monitoring and Evaluation, Heartlands International

Brad Beecher
Principal Solution Engineer for Student Experience and Holistic Advising, Salesforce

Caroline Donovan-White
Senior Director, Education Abroad Services & Volunteer Engagement, NAFSA

Kareem Makhlouf
Director of Operations and Communications, New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy
Sakil Malik headshot
Liudmila Mikhailova headshot
Keiichi Ogawa headshot
Adam Simon headshot

Sakil Malik
Senior Global Practice Leader for Global Education, DAI Inc.

Liudmila Mikhailova
Technical M&E Advisor/Evaluation Lead for select USG International Program Evaluation Activities

Keiichi Ogawa
Professor, Kobe University (Japan)

Adam Simon
Founding Executive Director, Aviv Foundation
Jennifer Swift-Morgan headshot
Taylor Woodman headshot
   

Jennifer Swift-Morgan
Senior Advisor, Chemonics

Taylor Woodman
Co-Director, Busquedas Investigativas, the University of Maryland

   
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 Upcoming Events

 

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Take the Next Step in Your Career

Complete the form below to learn more about degree requirements, course descriptions, tuition, and more.

 

 

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