<p>Hello parents, I'm considering pursuing a graduate degree in education with the goal of becoming an expert in education policy. Ideally, I would like to work abroad in a developing country. Would a master's degree be enough or should I go for an EdD or PhD? Would I even need a master's degree if my undergrad major is already in education policy? I'm aware of the debate on the merits of a master's degree and so will need to think about this option very carefully. Thanks.</p>
<p>[Brown</a> | Education](<a href=“Education | Brown University”>Education | Brown University)</p>
<p>check out the Masters in Urban Education Policy.</p>
<p>I will look into it, thanks. It looks like the school doesn’t have a program in international education, but I’m keeping my options open.</p>
<p>Do you have any idea whether you might be interested in working with an ngo/international organization like the world bank on policy/aid issues or at international schools as a teacher yourself? Outside the U.S., or at least in Asia, there is a strong reverance for name schools. People who went to graduate school 20 years ago post their Harvard diploma on the wall behind their desk for everyone to see. If you’re thinking the ngo direction, I believe a masters is pretty important. To teach at an international school, you don’t really need it and they’d rather hire someone with subject-specific knowledge anyway (math is in high demand). I have a PhD in Education and work in India for an Indian foundation. Most americans here work with international or U.S. govt. organizations. If there is a specific issue you’re interested in (e.g. education of girls, rural education, ESL, whatever) you’d make yourself particulalry interesting to anyone you might approach about a job if you were to do some research and write some papers about that issue. Makes for good interview discussion too.</p>
<p>If you are interested in education <em>policy</em>, I think a Ph.D. is important as you will be dealing with people with Ph.D.s.</p>
<p>If you have an undergrad degree in Education Policy and lots of work experience, an advanced degree may not be necessary to get involved in foundation, advocacy or international work. </p>
<p>However, to be paid somewhat decently in a low paying field AND to gain respect of peers…an advanced degree would be advised.</p>
<p>As an educator, I wish I had completed my doctorate. It gives you greater choices as your career develops. I’d recommend looking for a masters/doctorate fellowship in some big research university where you can really invest yourself into the current work that’s going on in the education area you’re interested in. Good luck!</p>
<p>If you are interested in working with emerging economies- my first thought would be that to understand the culture and political history of the people you would be working with, would be much more important than being conversant in current educational theory and jargon.</p>
<p>I would also suggest working with the Peace Corps or similar organization for two years after BA before grad school as it will make post BA study more meaningful</p>
<p>To really do what you’re dreaming about you’ll need concrete skills and an impressive diploma. Become fluent in a couple of important languages (Spanish, for one,) get some practical experience (at an ngo/peace corps, etc.) and a PhD – I think they’re called ED.d in education – from an internationally recognized university: Harvard, Columbia, etc. In most parts of the world the “name” factor of your school is very, very important.</p>
<p>Acording to US News for ed policy grad schools it’s Stanford, Harvard, Wisconsin, Columbia, Vanderbilt</p>
<p>Lehigh University: [Comparative</a> and International Education](<a href=“http://www.lehigh.edu/education/cie/]Comparative”>Comparative & International Education | Lehigh University College of Education):</p>
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<p>Time permitting, you should consider attending the [Northeast</a> Regional CIES Conference](<a href=“Comparative & International Education | Lehigh University College of Education”>Comparative & International Education | Lehigh University College of Education) Lehigh is hosting.</p>
<p>The Peace Corp or a similar organization is a great idea! Plus there are grad schools that will give you some credit (financial or academic for peace corp work). Good luck!</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking about the Peace Corps actually and have researched it a bit. If I want to start in fall 2010, I should probably get started on the application process now. </p>
<p>Thanks on the school suggestions. It turns out the schools offering international education programs that are also strong in educational policy are Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Vanderbilt, and Penn.</p>
<p>Ideally, I’d like to work for an international NGO like UNESCO, though I might have to become an expert on a particular region of the world as well.</p>
<p>I have a son who graduated college in 2006. Without any teaching or foreign language or study abroad background, he landed a job teaching English part time in China’s Sichuan Province shortly after graduation; he did take a short TESOL certification program at a nearby university. He taught for 1 1/2 years in China, returned to the USA for 9 months, and just returned to China to teach at a brand new international middle/high school. He will be teaching math and computers. He does not have a graduate teaching degree but the school needed a middle school math teacher quickly. Most of the teachers at this school have a master’s degree in education plus several or many years of teaching; many have taught abroad in Eastern Europe and Asia. There are different routes to obtain international teaching jobs.</p>