International & Comparative Education Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Jan 9, 2024

International & Comparative Education (ICE) is a unique set of skills for a range of teaching careers. Understanding international issues and comparing standards across countries helps improve education systems. In an increasingly globalized world, adaptation is vital.

International & Comparative Education Graduate Certificates are suitable for teaching leaders, politicians, and government employees to apply new techniques to the educational environment. Particularly, it looks at the cross-cultural environment to remain relevant.

What Are the Online International & Comparative Education Graduate Certificate Requirements?

U.S. schools offering international and comparative education graduate certificate programs will require that applicants meet all eligibility criteria. While this can vary by school, it often includes:

A bachelor's degree in teaching, along with a master's degree in a teaching-related subject
A minimum GPA (usually 3.0 to 3.5)
Full transcripts from those degrees proving results and study areas
If you do not speak English as a first language, the college will expect you to prove proficiency formally through one of many certifications. These include PTEA, IELTS, and TOEFL. If you have DuoLingo or ELS112, a limited number accept these standards
Letters of recommendation – often 2-3 from academic or professional references
Professional resume or CV
The full, nonrefundable application fee
A personal statement with further details about your application
Some schools may ask for a multipage exam-style essay with an industry-related question

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online International & Comparative Education Graduate Certificate Curriculum?

An international and comparative education grad certificate program can often be completed in just 2 semesters, or one academic year of study. The curriculum typically includes coursework such as:

Introduction to Global and Comparative Education
Comparative Perspectives in Culture, Society, and Education
International Education Organizations
Leadership in International Education
International Education Concepts and Theory
Ethical Issues in International Education
Education in Emergencies and Reconstruction
Research Methods
Literacy and International Development
Language & Society
Monitoring & Evaluation in Education Development
Urban Schooling
Comparative Education Systems
Curriculum and Pedagogy for Education
Human Rights and Education
Project Research & Communication
Human & Social Dimensions
Gender, Education, and Development
Sustainable Schooling
Cultural Politics in Education

What Type of Career Can I Pursue with an Online International & Comparative Education Graduate Certificate?

A graduate certificate in international and comparative education will open many exciting career doors. Popular pathways include:

International Student Services Provider: Working in colleges and universities helping international students and those from other cultures access services and adjust to life in the U.S.
Educational Program Provider: Administer and organize educational services for charities, government agencies, or foreign governments working in administration.
International Education Associations: Working with educational organizations, you will help teachers abroad network and support each other while working in international education.
Education Accreditation Agencies: International standards require accreditation to be accepted elsewhere. You could enter a career working for these independent organizations.