International Education Policy and Management (M.Ed.)

Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Program Overview

Be a changemaker in the fields of education and human development globally. The master’s in International Education Policy and Management (IEPM) focuses on the essential principles and techniques for understanding and improving education policy and organizational management in diverse sociocultural settings.

Our core and elective courses provide students with knowledge and skills in educational theories, research design, data analysis, and evaluation that enhance program performance and impact. Through opportunities to apply those skills such as the practicum, IEPM graduates are prepared to advance the positive role of education in economic growth, social cohesion, global health, and other dimensions of human development around the world.

Program at a Glance

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in International Education Policy and Management

Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Program Director: Xiu Cravens, Ph.D.
Admissions Coordinator: Rosie Moody
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 36
Priority Application Deadline: December 31* for fall entrance

* We will continue to accept applications after this date, but applications will be evaluated for admission and scholarships on a space-and-funds-available basis.

Application Checklist Scholarships and Financial Aid Request More Information Apply Now

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The IEPM program develops students’ knowledge and skills in understanding and improving the access to, quality, efficiency, and equity of global educational systems. We incorporate race, class, gender, culture, and language as factors shaping people’s lives in examining international development, teacher development, school governance, school choice, multilingual education, health and human development, and internationalization in higher education.

Selected Courses Related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

IEPM 6120: K-12 International Education - This course provides an overview of reform policies in K-12 education internationally. Important topics such as stratification and equity, assessment and accountability, school management and leadership, teacher quality, professional development, and school choice are examined through extensive reading of research literature and class discussion.

IEPM 6XXX*: Education Policy in Developing Countries - An overarching theme in this course is the relationship between poverty, education and development. We discuss policies that can change the dynamics of poverty. In this sense, the course is about equity: what are the policy levers to increase equality of opportunity for low-income individuals?

* New course, number TBD.

Selected Faculty Research Related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Felipe Barrera-Osorio, associate professor of public policy, education and economics
The main objective of Professor Barrera-Osorio's research is to study the effects of educational policies in developing countries. This agenda intersects development economics and the economics of education. He is part of a new generation of development economists who aim to test the effects of different school- and system-wide education policies.

Xiu Cravens, professor of the practice and associate dean for international students and affairs
Professor Cravens's research analyzes educational reform policies that are particularly related to the organizational and cultural contexts of schools in the United States and other countries. Her academic work has been devoted to understanding the role of instructional leadership and teacher development in a changing policy environment, and addressing the conceptual and methodological challenges of cross-cultural translation and adaptation of effective practices.

Success Stories

Students seeking an international education degree have diverse career interests and ambitions. Many graduates enter the world of international development assistance or go on to work for foundations or schools and universities, while others find research positions in nongovernmental, nonprofit or consulting organizations.

Sumeyra EkinM.Ed. '20Program Specialist,
The Center for Learner Equity“The qualitative and quantitate research skills I have learned and practiced at Peabody allow me to conduct quality research.”

Qian TaoM.Ed. '19Learning and Training Specialist ,
Moonshot Educators Academy“Peabody will give each of the learners a true feeling that they are part of the college, where they will receive support, love, friendship, opportunities, feedback coming from the community.”

Katherine BurnsM.Ed. '18Instructional Systems Designer and Quality Assurance Manager,
Candena“The people make all the difference at Peabody.”

Student Spotlight

Ryan and Jazira Boyette: Two Vanderbilt students ‘move mountains’ bringing education to war-torn Sudan

Peabody College students Ryan and Jazira Boyette have a goal of improving the lives of Sudan’s Nuba people through the power of education. Learn more

Practicum Experience

You will be required to complete a practicum with a professional organization to complete the master’s degree in International Education Policy and Management. Most students complete the practicum during the summer after the first year of the program. Practicums can be completed either domestically or internationally. You’ll be encouraged to consult with faculty to identify suitable organizations and opportunities.

On your return to campus in the fall, you will be expected to present your practicum at a department-wide poster session and networking event in the Wyatt Rotunda.

Recent Practicum Locations

Aga Khan University (Karachi, Pakistan)
Akilah Institute for Women (Kigali, Rwanda)
American Council of Education (Washington, D.C.)
Beijing Normal University Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment towards Basic Education Education Quality (Beijing, China)
Family Health International, FHI 360 (Washington, D.C.)
Institute of International Education (Mexico City and New York City)
International Bureau of Education (Geneva, Switzerland)
Korean Education Development Institution (Seoul, South Korea)
LEAD Public Schools (Nashville, Tenn.)
Lwala Community Alliance (Lwala, Kenya)
Ministry of Education (Mbabane, Swaziland)
Tarkwa Breman Community Alliance, Cocoa 360 (Bogoso, Ghana)
Tin Marin Children’s Museum (San Salvador, El Salvador)
UNESCO (Paris, France, and Bangkok, Thailand)
UN Women (New York, N.Y.)
Vanderbilt International Student and Scholar Services (Nashville, Tenn.)
Western Cape Education Department (Cape Town, South Africa)

Program Curriculum

Core courses—coupled with electives and the field-based practicum—provide you with a strong foundation in education research and data analysis, with a focus on practical applications.

The program typically takes two years to complete for those who attend full time. Most IEPM courses meet in late afternoon and evening, allowing you to pursue part-time employment either on or off campus.

Course Requirements

The master’s degree in International Education Policy and Management requires you to complete 36 credit hours consisting of 12 hours of the IEPM core, 6 hours of methodology, 3 hours of career and practicum portfolio, and 15 hours of elective courses selected with the guidance of your faculty advisor.

All students must complete a practicum. It is optional whether to count (and pay for) the practicum as degree-bearing credits. To receive three hours of credit for the practicum, a student must work a minimum of 135 hours at the practicum site. A culminating portfolio of academic writing and professional products approved by the IEPM faculty completes the practicum.

IEPM Core Courses: 12 credit hours (choose four from the following)

International Organizations and Economic Development
International Issues in K–12 Education Policy Reform
Comparative Issues in Higher Education Policy Reform
Education and Global Human Development
Education Policy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence from (Quasi) Experimental Evaluations

Methodology: 6 credit hours

Research Methods and Data Analysis I
Research Methods and Data Analysis II

Elective Courses: 15 credit hours

Elective courses may be taken across Peabody College, as well as in other disciplines offered across Vanderbilt University, on consultation with your faculty advisor. Some popular electives that IEPM students take include the following, but you are free to choose any others not included in this list:

American Education History and Policy
College and University Management
College Student Personnel Services
Evaluation of Organizational Performance
Grants, Policy, and Administration
Non-Profit Management
Postsecondary Access and Opportunity
Public Finance of Higher Education
Social Context of Education Leadership and Policy
Strategy and Analytics
Teacher Policy
The Politics of Policy Making
Urban Education and Social Policy

Core Faculty

Felipe Barrera-Osorio

Associate Professor of Public Policy, Education and Economics, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Xiu Cravens

Associate Dean for International Students and Affairs, Office of the Dean
Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Carolyn J. Heinrich

Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy and Education.
University Distinguished Professor of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
University Distinguished Professor of Political Science in the College of Arts and Science.
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Secondary Appointment as Professor of Health Policy.

Brian L. Heuser

Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Thomas Smith

Core Faculty, International Education Policy and Management
Professor, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Helpful Links

Graduate Certificate programs
Certificate in Latin American Studies
Graduate Certificate in Global Health