Program

Increasingly, educators are becoming aware of the challenges presented by the complex, transforming world in which youth cultures are often ahead of teacher knowledge and skills especially with respect to the uses of new technologies and the media. This suggests a new role for educators in helping their students to navigate this globalizing world; in internationalizing their curriculum and pedagogy; and helping their students to reflect and critically understand what it means to be globally informed, aware and compassionate human beings - "citizens of the world."

The GSE Online EdM is not only aimed to assist educators at all levels to incorporate global perspectives into their existing curricula and pedagogies, but is also very important for adminstrators, librarians, NGO workers, personnel working in transnational companies, and military personnel. It enables them to consider the ways in which globalization affects their work and lives of those around them. As a cohort- based on-line program with the benefit of synchronous class sessions, the program enables students to establish a virtual learning community with peers from around the world. Read what one of our students had to say about his experience:

"I would have never imagined that an online program would have been more engaging than attending on campus. From a virtual classroom, where I met friends I will speak to for a very long time, to a responsive group of professors that were always ready to connect and help me in my journey, this program exceeded my expectations. Professionally, I am not a teacher, I work in the corporate world, but my professors allowed me the freedom in the projects to create greater relevance to my professional life, and asked challenging questions that have made me better at what I do. I would heavily recommend the GSE program to anyone that wants a better understanding in how we can include everyone, regardless of the cultures one identifies with, in the learning process."

- Dirk, GSE Cohort 7

Requirements

The program requires completion of eight courses (32 semester hours, 4 hours per course), normally taken over two calendar years. It is designed around cohorts of students who begin and end the program together more or less at the same time. Each cohort is ideally made up of 25 students who follow the same sequence of six core courses. This is followed by two elective courses to enable students to broaden their understanding of particular issues, to participate in a study abroad program, or to conduct a work-based project in international education. There is some flexibility in the ordering of courses to fit individual needs, but students are encouraged to take the core courses with their cohort since learning and community building of educators is as important to the process as the courses are.

Synchronous Sessions

Students can expect a maximum of one online synchronous class meeting each week during the Fall and Spring semesters, (15 week courses) and more frequent on-line synchronous class meetings for all summer courses. These classes are normally held at either 6-8pm, or 7-9pm Central Standard Time (CST). All students are encouraged to attend, even if this is not an absolute requirement. Each course uses three modes of electronic communication: Moodle for course-ware and asynchronous activities; Elluminate for synchronous class sessions, which facilitates communication of textual, audio and video information; and Skype for consultation with instructors and peer exchange.

There will be an online orientation prior to your very first course. This will be an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Elluminate online environment, build a community with the cohort with which you will be working for the next two years, and obtain essential information for the successful completion of the program.

History of GSE Online

This unique degree has been developed and is taught by leading scholars in global studies in education associated with the Department of Educational Policy, Organization & Leadership (EPOL) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Global Studies in Education (GSE) Online program was established in 2004 and enrolled its first cohort of students in January 2005. These students graduated with a Masters Degree in Educational Policy Studies (EPS) in December 2006. The degree consists of eight courses, and is normally completed in two years of part time studies, with no on-campus requirement. The program's innovative approach to on-line education provides students considerable flexibility, with a range of opportunities to interact with educators from around the world and participate in a study abroad program. Its development is partly funded by the US Department of Education's Title VI Program through the Center for Global Studies and other Area Studies centers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.