PhD International Education Specialization
The PhD in Education with a specialization in international education is individualized, interdisciplinary, and experiential. Students plan their own programs to meet self-defined goals with the guidance and support of faculty advisors. International education courses can be applied to primary or secondary specialization areas.
If you have questions about this specialization, please contact the specialization representative, April Mattix Foster.
About the Specialization
The International Education Specialization is designed to help you develop the skills needed to be an effective educator in a global society. You will explore concepts and theories of education systems around the world, including the cultural and historical bases of these systems and the spread of educational trends across the globe.
What Will You Learn?
The specialization features coursework and applied internships.
- Focus on social justice and equity
- Designed for policymakers and practitioners
- Interdisciplinary curriculum combines core study in international education with coursework in economic, social, and political development, conflict resolution, institutional development, language and culture, and history.
- All courses are taught by highly qualified graduate faculty with expertise in international education, research, and development.
How Will You Learn?
Your advisor will guide your doctoral experience by supplementing course work with professional experiences, including:
- Attending and/or presenting at professional conferences
- Independent study
- Teaching and/or co-teaching
- Writing, editing, and reviewing for scholarly journals
Where Can This Specialization Take You?
Graduates of this specialization hold professional positions such as:
- Academic faculty at post-secondary institutions
- Consultants with private companies, education and research think tanks, and non-government organizations
Specialization Courses
Each student prepares an individual program of study in consultation with their Program Advisory Committee. The following courses can be taken as part of a student’s primary or secondary specialization coursework:
- EDUC 880: Introduction to International Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 878: Intercultural Competence: Theory and Research Application to International Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 892: Social Justice and Equity in International Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 815: Research Inquiries in International Education (3 credits)
- EDUC 897: Independent Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (1-6 credits)
- EDUC 994: Advanced Internship in Education (3 credits)
See additional coursework required as part of the PhD in Education degree.
Our Graduates
Mainlehwon Vonhm, PhD 2021
- Dissertation Title: “A Family Tree Can Bend, But It Can Never Be Broken”: Teachers Affected by Civil War Understanding of Social Cohesion in Post-Conflict Liberia
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Supriya Baily
- Employment on Graduation: Founder, Center for Peace Education (CPE)
Rebecca Eisenberg, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: Intercultural Competence in Secondary Education: An Examination of Practice
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. April Mattix Foster
- Employment on Graduation: Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair, Portland Public Schools (OR)
Heba Elsherbeeny, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: Examining Elementary Students' Development of Intercultural Competence through Self-Regulatory Prompts
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Anastasia Kitsantas
- Employment on Graduation: Co-Founder, Medina Montessori
Kelley E. Webb, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: World Language Teachers' Understandings and Integration of Intercultural Competence: "More Than..." Language and Beyond
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Rebecca Fox
- Employment on Graduation: ESOL Curriculum Specialist & Welcome Center Liaison, Hanover County Public Schools (VA)
Woomee Kim, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: Perceived Impact of Global Online Teacher Professional Development for English as a Foreign Language Educators of Young Learners
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Joan Shin
Peng Zhang, PhD 2022
- Dissertation Title: Examining the Moderating Role of Home Culture Connectedness in Chinese International Students’ Acculturation in U.S. Universities
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. April Mattix Foster
- Employment on Graduation: Coordinator, Global Academic Partnerships, Missouri State University
Ahmed Atef, PhD 2021
- Dissertation Title: Leading Work-Based Learning Programs: How Administrators and Teachers Support Learning for Exceptional Female Immigrant High School Students- A Case Study
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Supriya Baily
Melissa Hauber, PhD 2021
- Dissertation Title: “We Must Not Stop Now”: Advocacy Ethnography with Syrian Refugees in Turkish Higher Education
- Dissertation Chairs: Dr. Meagan Call-Cummings & Dr. Rebecca Fox
- Employment on Graduation: Assistant Professor, University of Missouri
Gina Amenta, PhD 2020
- Dissertation Title: Intercultural Competence in Elementary Educators in a Diverse School Setting
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Beverly Shaklee
- Employment on Graduation: Instructional Coach, Fairfax County Public Schools
Shannon Merriweather, PhD 2018
- Dissertation Title: Neighborhood Identity Examined through a Lens of Poverty: An Exploration of One Community
- Dissertation Chair: Dr. Beverly Shaklee
- Employment on Graduation: Equity Specialist, Fairfax County Public Schools
Faculty Specialization Representative
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April Mattix Foster
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Primary Faculty
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Supriya Baily
PhD, George Mason University -
Regina Biggs
PhD, Loyola University Chicago -
Rebecca Fox
PhD, George Mason University -
Dawn Hathaway
PhD, George Mason University -
Kathleen Ramos
PhD, University of Pittsburgh -
Farnoosh Shahrokhi
EdD, George Washington University -
Beverly Shaklee
EdD, Mississippi State University -
Joan Shin
PhD, University of Maryland, Baltimore County -
Debra Sprague
PhD, University of New Mexico