Department & Program
PROGRAM SUMMARY

Program Coordinator:
Professor Frances Vavrus

Degrees offered:
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Master of Education (Ed.M.)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) [international educational development only]
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) [comparative international education only]

Special Application Requirements/Information:
Applicants to the programs should indicate a tentative area of specialization on their application forms. Doctoral applicants must submit an academic writing sample and should arrange if possible for an interview prior to applying. A social science educational background is preferred for those who wish to be considered for the Ph.D. program in Comparative and International Education.

Program Descriptions:

In 1899 Teachers College became the first graduate institution in the United States to develop a program in comparative and international studies in education. Program faculty were co-founders of the Comparative and International Education Society in 1954 and edited the Society’s journal, Comparative Education Review, for many years. From the 1960s, Teachers College also became instrumental in the study of the international development of education, founding the program in International Educational Development. Faculty of the programs continue to be active in conducting research or participating in educational activities around the world. The programs, in addition to the Institute for International Studies, play dominant roles in international activities and research at Teachers College.

The programs in International Educational Development and Comparative and International Education provide advanced preparation for professional careers in a wide range of teaching, policy and evaluation, administrative and research roles. Graduates of the programs are found in numerous educational positions including academic research and teaching, in educational planning, implementation, and evaluation roles in foundations, non-governmental organizations, governmental institutions, businesses and corporations, and private and public educational institutions.

The programs are designed to provide students challenging course work related to international and transcultural dimensions of education. Program requirements include work in four areas: a core curriculum, a concentration which is either an academic discipline or a professional field of education, transcultural or geographically related study, and elective credits.

For the most up-to-date information about the CIE/IED programs, please click here to go to our website.