Date of Award

Spring 2016

Degree Type

Capstone - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

First Advisor

Susan Marine

Abstract

As the world becomes more globalized, society must create ways to adapt to these changes. One result is more internationalization at the higher education level (Mckenzie, Lopez & Bowers, 2010). Internationalization includes recent efforts to increase study abroad participation for graduate students. This exploratory study sought to understand best practices for the creation of a faculty led study abroad course in a higher education Master’s degree program. Topics of research included preparatory travel logistics, coursework to maintain academic rigor, and outcomes as it relates to personal and professional growth. Faculty leaders from across the U.S. who lead their own courses abroad were interviewed to learn about these courses’ goals, logistical issues, and outcomes. Additionally, Higher Education Master's students in a private Catholic college in the Northeast were also interviewed regarding their interests and needs for such a program. Findings show that the creation of a course overseas will increase cultural awareness, provide unique comparative learning opportunities and promote professional skills. The study recommends that the Northeast Catholic college create a study abroad course to Ireland in order to give students the opportunity to explore a new culture, improve their resumes, increase marketability in the workforce, and to obtain a better understanding of education policies practiced in American higher education.

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