Program Overview
The International Education Policy concentration (IEP) is designed to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of today's educational policies and practices. Our focus is on the relationship between education and the economy, politics and social development in both developing and developed countries. The IEP concentration offers a comprehensive understanding of education across all levels, from pre-school to higher education, as well as non-formal education, including adult and community-based learning.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the role of comparative and international education’s role in shaping global societies is more important than ever. Through critical reflection on current policies, practices and conditions, IEP empowers students to contribute to transformative educational and social change. More specifically, we equip our students with the knowledge and interdisciplinary skills needed to address global challenges such as equity, social justice, sustainable development through education and international peace.
We produce graduates with a deep understanding of the complex issues shaping educational policies and practices in both developing and industrialized countries. Whether you’re aiming to work in national development, international organizations, or academic research, this concentration will prepare you to make a meaningful impact on education across all levels and sectors.
**Administratively, the International Education Policy concentration is housed in the Higher Education, Student Affairs and International Education Policy Program. We have a specific focus on international education issues and maintain a separate recruitment and admissions process.
Key Features
- Flexibility: Tailor your coursework to match your background, interests, and career goals. Specializations include conflict and emergencies, gender and development, peace and environmental education and political economy.
- D.C. Advantage: Just a few miles from the nation's capital, our location provides unparalleled access to internships, employment opportunities, seminars, workshops, and renowned speakers. Through cooperative agreements with nearby universities American University and George Washington University, you can also take advantage of courses offered by other highly regarded programs in related disciplines.
Top 20
Best Education Policy Program by U.S. News & World Report
Faculty
Faculty
Our faculty are selected for their expertise andexperience. They provide guidance and support to foster your academic and professional success.
Our Students
Meet Our Students
One of our greatest strengths is our students. We are committed to building a community of students, faculty and development professionals who work together to promote cross-cultural and multicultural understanding and bridge the gap between research and real-world practice.
"The UMD resources have been top notch, the faculty are wonderful advisors that truly value our perspectives while challenging us to think critically and reach our full potential."
How to Apply
How to Apply
We welcome applications from students with a strong interest in comparative and international education. We especially encourage individuals from underrepresented minority groups to apply.
Information on admissions and application to this program can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website.
Requirements
Program Requirements
IEP courses provide a strong foundation in educational theory and practice, the nature of comparative and international education, and the application of cultural, economic, political and sociological perspectives to ensure that you gain an understanding of education and its contribution to development.
Beyond the core courses, you will work with faculty to create personalized coursework that aligns with your background and career goals. You’ll have access to the full range of resources at the University of Maryland and can choose courses across the social sciences, humanities, and professional specializations, such as early childhood education, international exchange, or higher education. You can also focus on regional areas like Africa, Asia, or Latin America, or cross-cutting topics like gender and race. We have made a specific and strong commitment to internationalization throughout its programs and policies.
If you've already completed a master’s degree in a related field, you may be able to transfer up to 24 credits toward the 90 required for our Ph.D. program. Be sure to consult with your advisor to determine which courses/credits may apply.
- EDHI 605—Comparative Education
- EDHI 606—Political Economy of Education in a Global Context
- EDHI 607—Culture and Education in a Global Context
- EDHI 750—International Higher Education
- PROSEMINAR—Attendance required for the first 2 years of your program (0 credits)
- EDHI 672 — Modes of Inquiry
- One quantitative methodology course
- One qualitative methodology course
- Two additional courses in methodological approaches most relevant to your research focus
Select four of the following or equivalents:
- EDHI 680—Gender, Education, and Development
- EDHI 681—Education for Global Peace
- EDHI 682—Ecological Ethics and Education
- EDHI 683—World Religions and Implications for Education
- EDHI 684—Alternative Education, Alternative Development
- EDHI 788—Contemplative Inquiry and Holistic Education
- EDHI 788––Education in Conflict and Emergencies
- EDHI 788—Global Climate Change and Education
- EDHI 788—International Education and Cultural Exchange
- EDHI 788—International Investigations in Cuban Education
- EDHI 805––Seminar in Comparative Education
- EDPS 624––Culture in Education Policy and Practice
- EDHI 798––Special Problems in Education
Courses may be selected in the areas of public policy, communications, anthropology, economics, sociology, gender studies, higher education, early childhood education, or from other departments within the College of Education, the University of Maryland, or the Washington Consortium.
- EDHI889 — Internship in Education
EDHI 898 —Pre-Candidacy Research (can be repeated)
- EDHI 899—Dissertation Research
Specializations
The IEP concentration offers five specializations, with the flexibility to design your own specialization based on your interests. Past students have developed specializations in professional areas such as early childhood education, special education, primary and secondary education, teacher education, education leadership, education policy, higher education and public health education. Others have explored specializations in social science disciplines and applied areas such as anthropology, economics, public policy, sociology and women’s studies.
As a student at the University of Maryland, you'll have access to many specializations across campus and beyond. In addition to courses within the IEP concentration, we encourage you to take additional courses in other departments, colleges, and even partner schools in the region.
This specialization examines educational issues in contexts of conflict and emergencies, including war, forced migration, epidemic and pandemic and climate disaster. You will gain familiarity with global humanitarian frameworks and interventions, as well as national, local, and school-based responses worldwide. Through critical and reflective exploration of theoretical, conceptual, and practical dimensions, you will contribute meaningfully to research, institutions, and educational initiatives.
Possible courses include:
- EDHI788J—Education in Conflict and Emergencies
- EDHI 681—Education for Global Peace
- EDHI788F—Global Climate Change and Education: Policy and Practice
While issues of class, gender, race, and ethnicity are woven throughout the IEP program, you have the option to specialize in gender and development. This specialization focuses on understanding how gender shapes societal structures and influences educational outcomes. You will develop skills to analyze policy implications and design practical strategies to reduce gender-related barriers and promote transformative actions at both individual and collective levels.
Possible courses include:
- EDHI680—Gender, Development and Education
- WMST602—Approaches to Women’s Studies
- WMST698R—Gender and Development
In a world of rapidly increasing cross-cultural interactions, intercultural education is more important than ever. This specialization explores key issues at the intersection of culture, education and development. These topics are gaining importance as universities address globalization through internationalization initiatives, programming and policy. In this specialization, you will examine the higher education context where these initiatives are taking place.
Possible courses include:
- EDHI607—Education and Culture in a Global Context
- EDHI750—International Higher Education
- EDHI788T—International Education and Cultural Exchange: Policies and Practices
- EDHI788X—International Investigations in Cuban Education
In this specialization, you will explore the global and local conditions that lead to wars, conflicts, environmental degradation and climate change. You'll delve into theories and practices in peace and sustainability education for peace building and preservation of nature.
You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the political, economic, cultural, religious and educational contexts that shape peace and sustainability. Peace is defined as a deep respect for each other as human beings, and for nature with sustainable ecological ethics. It is achieved through both external efforts and internal endeavors to cultivate wisdom and equanimity.
Through your coursework, you’ll study alternative and transformative paradigms and acquire practical knowledge to contribute to peace and sustainability education.
Possible courses include:
- EDHI681—Education for Global Peace
- EDHI683—World Religions and Implication for Education
- EDHI788F—Global Climate Change and Education: Policy and Practice
- EDHI788—Contemplative Inquiry and Holistic Education
The term “political economy” refers to a broad and integrated understanding of the politics and economics of issues. This specialization will provide you with an understanding of the debates about the theory and practice of political economy, current educational policies and their relationship to development.
Possible courses include:
- EDHI606—Political Economy of Education and Development
- EDHI684—Alternative Education, Alternative Development
- EDHI788X—International Investigations in Cuban Education
Dissertation Topics
Dissertation Topics
Below is a sample of dissertation topics written by our students.
- “Case Study of a Gender and Reproductive Health Training Program for Adolescent Males in Rural Villages in the State of Gujarat, India”
- “Impact of Globalization on the US-Mexico Border: Case Study of Grassroots Activism for the Migrant and Refugee Community”
- “Migrating Knowledge: Schooling, Statelessness and Safety at the Thailand-Burma Border”
- “The Challenges and Prospects of Civil Society Development: An Examination of Two Types of Civil Society Organization in China”
- “Success for All: A Comprehensive Educational Reform Experiment on Improving Low Performance Students in China"
- “Racing, Classing, and Gendering School-Related Violence in Three Johannesburg Secondary Schools”
- “Re-making the Namibian Teacher: A Study of Teacher Reflection in an Era of Social Transition and Policy Reform”
- “The Impact of Globalization on Education in Uganda”
- “Social Stratification and Higher Education Opportunities in the Transitioning Chinese Society”
- “Living Feminism in the Academy: South African Women Tell Their Stories”
- "Teachers and Teaching: Conceptualizing Quality Education in Rural Nicaragua"
- “School Choice and Student Aspirations for Higher Education in Kenya: Social Capital and Cultural Capital Perspectives"
- “Internationalization of Higher Education in Two Jesuit Universities”
- “Education Amidst Democratic Transition: The Case of Romania”
- “Youth Exchange and Peacebuilding Post 9/11”
- “The Development of Global Education Policy: A Case Study of the Origins and Evolution of El Salvador’s EDUCO”
Careers
Career Options
Our graduates work for public and private international agencies, non-governmental organizations, think tanks and universities, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Below is a sample of the positions held by IEP Ph.D. graduates.
- Assistant Principal, Howard County Public School
- Assistant Professor, Universidad Catolica de Chile School of Education
- Assistant Professor, University of Hawaii
- Assistant Professor , University of Newcastle, Australia
- Associate Director of Capital Giving, Swarthmore College
- Associate Professor, Universidad de los Andes
- Associate Professor, UMass at Amherst
- Chairwoman, Society for International Development, Creative Associates
- Chief Financial Officer, Dream Corps International
- Chief of Staff , United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education
- Director of International Education, College Board
- Director, Creative Associates International
- Director of Education and Literacy, Nascent Solutions, Inc.
- Director of Institutional Research, Simon College
- Executive Director, Board of Trustees, Sogang University
- Executive Director, Global Teacher Education/Educator, Smithsonian
- General Secretary of Education International
- Head of Programs & Partnerships, the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals Academy
- Professor, Western University, Canada
- Professor and Chair, Education Department, Kenya Methodist University
- Program Manager, USAID/Regional Development Mission for Asia
- Program Coordinator, Action for Healthy Communities
- Program Officer, Critical Language Scholarship Program, U. S. Department of State
- Program Officer, Kenya
- Program Officer, Open Society Foundation
- Senior Director, US Census Bureau
- Senior Education Advisor, USAID
- Senior Program Officer, Global Education Partnership
- Senior Program Officer, United States Institute of Peace
- Senior Research Education, Analyst at Research Triangle Institute
- U.S. Cultural Ambassador to India and Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Vice President at World Learning
Contact Us
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