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Spring Valley Building , Room 471 on a map
4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8030 United StatesThank you for your interest.
Thank you for your interest in the International Training and Education Program.
We have temporarily paused admissions for the 2024-2025 academic year. Should you require further assistance, email us at itep@american.edu.
A Unique International Education Program
Since 1982, American University School of Education's International Training and Education Program (ITEP) has provided an ideal environment for students who want to further their skills and experiences in:
- training program design;
- intercultural learning and exchange;
- program management and evaluation;
- transitional and social justice;
- internationalization of higher education; and
- equity in education.
ITEP is a unique 30-credit Master of Arts (MA) program that provides students with a strong foundation in theory, principles, and practice in international education and training. Coursework can be completed either fully in person or a combination of online and in person. ITEP students can pursue additional Graduate Certificates, such as ITEP’s Training Design and Facilitation certificate or the School of International Service’s Cross-Cultural Communication certificate.
ITEP also offers a 12-credit in person, online, or hybrid Training Design and Facilitation (Graduate) Certificate for novice to experienced trainers who are seeking a specialized training credential to further their design and facilitation skills.
ITEP students are tackling some of the following questions:
• How do we create innovative training programs that respond to local and global issues?
• What role does education quality play in efforts to promote educational equity and inclusion?
• What are the cultural, social, and political perspectives underpinning development assistance and intercultural exchange programs?
• How are controversial histories taught and learned?
About ITEP
ITEP's core faculty are leaders in the field of international and comparative education.
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Terence C. Ngwa, EdD
Director of the Antiracist Administration, Supervision, and Leadership Certificate Program; Director of the International Training Education Program; and Senior Professorial Lecturer
ngwa@american.edu - Jisun Jeong, PhD
Professorial Lecturer
jjeong@american.edu - Cynthia Miller-Idriss, PhD
Professor - Elizabeth A. Worden, PhD
Associate Professor
eaworden@american.edu
ITEP Turned 40!
In 1982, Dr. Leon Clark joined the faculty of American University and established the International Training and Education Program (ITEP), serving as its inaugural director for 17 years. During the course of 2022, the School of Education celebrated the 40th anniversary of the ITEP program with a series of special events for students and alumni.
ITEP Students Study in Japan
Recent News
- 2023-2024 for ITEP started strong with a Fall Meet & Greet to welcome everyone back and to bring new students into the MA and certificate program. For International Education Week, ITEP held a panel with the Echidna Global Scholars at the Center for the Universal Education at the Brookings Institution where they presented their research in India, Bhutan, Egypt, and Uganda. In November, the Alternative Pathways forum welcomed alumni Beck Waghorne, Julia Bouchelle, and current ITEPer Maddy Crawford who shared their experiences in the program and the impact that had on their career paths. To wrap up the year, the cohort celebrated with holiday gatherings and a "secret jingle tingle" gift exchange. In the spring semester, we hosted the annual student research conference which welcomed a wide array of graduate student research presentations from American University, George Mason, University of Maryland, and George Washington University.
ITEP graduate students Kim Linford, Maddy Crawford, and Paige Dabney presented their papers. Over spring break, ITEP faculty Drs. Elizabeth Worden, Jisun Jeong, Terence Ngwa, and Michael Gibbons participated in the Comparative and International Education Society annual conference in Miami. We wrapped up the semester with the Charles Tesconi Lecture, where Dr. Supriya Baily of George Mason University spoke about education in authoritarian times. Join us for more in the future! - Global Education Forum
Throughout the year, ITEP hosted a range of speakers for its signature event, including: Mariana Barros-Titus and Corey Shaw presented “Education as an Exercise in Reparative Justice”; Dr. Judith Pace gave the 2nd annual Charles Tesconi Lecture with “Learning to Teach Controversial Subjects in Divided Societies”; and Dr. Sabrina J. Curtis and Ellen Chigwanda discussed “Critical Approaches to Education Research: A Conversation on Engaging with Adolescent Girls in the U.S. and Zimbabwe" - Comparative and International Education Society Conference (CIES)
ITEP sponsored 20 students to attend the 2023 CIES Conference in Washington, D.C. in February. ITEPers joined over 3,600 participants in the 1,000 sessions offered. Faculty members Dr. Jisun Jeong, Dr. Elizabeth A. Worden, Dr. Michael Gibbons, and ITEP student Alex Medadi presented research. ITEPers also networked with practitioners at a career event hosted by Chemonics. Professor Worden took a group of 15 international scholars to visit Martha’s Table, a non-profit serving the DC residents. - Experiential Learning Trip to Senegal
ITEP faculty member and SOE Scholar in Residence Dr. Michael Gibbons and ARASL Director Dr. Terence Ngwa led “Historical and Transatlantic Perspectives on Antiracist Teaching,” SOE’s first ever study trip to Senegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start?
Students may begin the program in the Summer, Fall or Spring semester. Both full time and part time schedules are available, though international students are required to be in full-time status during the entire program of study (with special exceptions made in the final semester of study).
Can I take online courses towards my ITEP degree or certificate?
Yes. ITEP offers a number of required courses online, as well as electives for both the degree and certificate program.
How long does the ITEP program take to complete?
Most students take two years to complete the MA program, but it can be completed in as little as 15 months, including summer study. The Certificate program can be completed at the students’ pace, but is typically a 9-month program.
Can I work full time during the program?
Both full-time and part-time schedules are available; however, international students are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the entire program of study (with special exceptions made in the final semester). Many of our students do have full-time jobs while in ITEP.
To accommodate students who work full-time, most classes are offered at 5:30pm or 8:20pm ET.
What is the MA Capstone?
ITEP students develop and complete a capstone project usually during their final semester of the MA program through EDU 685: ProSeminar in International Education. The main objective of the capstone is to help students consolidate, integrate, and advance knowledge and skills acquired through ITEP. Students work with the ProSem instructor (a Core ITEP faculty member) to design and finish their project.
The capstone includes the following elements: a literature review, an analytical writing component, and original research. Some examples of capstone topics include a program evaluation, a program training design and implementation, and qualitative research project.
Can I get credit for my past coursework and experience?
Transfer Credit from Accredited Institution
MA students can transfer in a maximum of 6 credits from another university provided that these credits have been earned at the master's level from an accredited institution, and is relevant to the ITEP program of study.
Credit Waiver for Volunteer Experience
In the past, when ITEP's program was 36 credit hours, incoming students could apply for credit waivers of up to 6 credits based on previous volunteer experience. Because of the reduction of required credits to a 30 hour program, students are no longer eligible for a credit waiver based on previous volunteer experience.
Can I do an internship or go abroad during the program?
Yes. Each MA student is assigned to a faculty advisor at the start of the program. The advisor can help students decide if an internship or experience abroad will enhance the students’ program of study and/or career goals.
ITEP Gallery
ITEP 2019 graduate La'Nita Johnson gives a commence-
ment speech.
ITEP Students in School of Ed Lobby
Former ITEP Faculty Member Jermain Griffin and ITEP Alum ('18) Lisbeth Gall
ITEP Professor Cynthia Miller-Idriss critiques a student's poster presentation.
ITEP Program Director Elizabeth A. Worden
ITEP EDU-642 (Training Program Design) Students
ITEP Students at Global Education Forum
Global Education Forums
Join Our Conversation
The School of Education’s International Training and Education Program hosts monthly Global Education Forums (GEFs), discussions on pressing topics in international education, international development, and intercultural exchange. Join our conversations with experts, who offer their viewpoints and experiences as practitioners, researchers, and activists. Audience participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and join the dialogue.
Learn more about the ITEP Global Education Forums.