Curriculum

In this 32-to-40-credit program, you will learn how to develop, execute, manage, and analyze international education programs in a broad range of settings, including those related to international education policy, public diplomacy and cultural relations, understanding conflict and building peace. You will also gain hands-on experience in an internship placement, either in the US or abroad. The skills you acquire will prepare you for careers in international institutions or humanitarian organizations, study abroad programs or offices of global affairs, global classrooms, or in starting on a path toward research. 

Students matriculating in or after Fall 2025 will be able to maintain their academic full-time status for financial aid, scholarship, or visa purposes by enrolling in at least 9 credits per term. Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2025 are still required to enroll in 12 credits to maintain academic full-time status.

Core Course Sequence

The MA in International Education core curriculum features coursework in foundations in international education, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and contemporary issues as they relate to key challenges in our field. You will develop critical skills in basic research methods and grant writing, as well public speaking and teamwork. We focus on experiential learning about professional paths in education, for example, meeting with colleagues who deliver guest lectures from their offices providing insights into ways that the concepts we cover in class apply to work in the field in real time.

Required Core Courses

• Foundations of International Education

• Contemporary Issues in International Education

• Qualitative Methods in International Education

• Quantitative Methods in International Education

Specialization Sequence

MA students in International Education will choose and complete one Field of Specialization track, completing a minimum of 6 credits (usually two courses) in their track.

Students who specialize in the International Development and Education/Peace, Conflict track focus on understanding the challenges and opportunities of education in low- and middle-income countries, international development contexts, and/or in crisis and conflict-affected settings. This track prepares students to work in these fields in government agencies, NGOs, foundations and beyond.

Students who specialize in the Cross Cultural Exchange and Study Abroad track focus on public and private educational and cultural organizations that facilitate and lead  international educational exchanges and cross cultural training programs to promote global understanding. This track prepares students to work on study abroad or other educational exchange programs in universities, colleges, schools, and other agencies.

Sample Elective Courses 

6 elective credits are geared for the field of specialization tracks, selected from options listed below. 6-10 additional elective credits complete the degree.

International Development and Education/Peace, Conflict, and Humanitarian Action

• Education and Conflict

• Globalization and Education

• Immigration and Education

• International Studies in Human Rights Education

• International Development Education: Theory and Practice

• International Development Education: Practice in Ghana

• Socio-Anthropological Approaches to International Education

Cross-Cultural Exchange and Study Abroad

• Education Abroad: Theory and Practice

• Globalization and Education

• Immigration and Education

• Inside the Global Network: Study Abroad & Int’l Exchange at NYU

• The Practice of International Education

• The Practice of Study Abroad and International Student Services

• Socio-Anthropological Approaches to International Education

Additional Electives 

• Education and Social Policy

• Capstone-Practicum in Education Policy 

• Sociology of Education

• Sociology of Higher Education

• Social and Cultural Studies in Education

• Critical Social Theory

• Classical Social Theory

Culminating Experience

The International Education M.A. Program is designed to prepare professionals who understand the international implications of their responsibilities and have the ability to apply their knowledge and skills across international and cultural boundaries. We are committed to linking theory and practice. As part of this commitment, each student is required to participate in a semester-long internship with an organization, agency, office, or project involved in some way in international education and an accompanying internship course.