A group of students studying abroad in London.

Master of Arts in
International Education Management and Leadership
Fully Online

Become an International Education Leader

If you’re an international educator aspiring to become a high-impact organization leader at educational institutions, associations, government or private international education companies, this program can help you achieve your goals. 

Broaden your understanding of the multi-faceted field of international education by learning how educational institutions develop successful programs, and how associations, private companies and government interact in this complex environment. Most of all, you’ll learn how to lead. 

This distinctive 30-credit asynchronous or synchronous online program prepares you to effectively develop, oversee, and overhaul study abroad programs and other educational travel opportunities that provide domestic and foreign students with meaningful cross-cultural experiences.

Program of Study

programofstudy

Courses for this master's cover all aspects of international education, higher education administration and finance, international student services, and comparative education systems. The program puts significant emphasis on the business side of international program management, including fundamentals of budgeting and finance, risk assessment, strategic planning, marketing, office operations, and student affairs.

All courses for this program are offered entirely online so you can complete your master's while you continue to work.
 

Required Courses (9 credits)

  • Introduction to International Education Management
  • Administration of Institutions of Higher Education
  • Higher Education Finance
     

Data Analytics Course (3 credits)

  • Quantitative Methods in Educational Leadership
  • Survey Research Methods


Specialization Courses (9 credits)

  • Educational Entrepreneurship
  • Student Services in International Education
  • Cross-Border Higher Education
  • Global Politics of Educational Quality
  • Special Topics Courses (1 credit each)

Elective Courses (6 credits)

  • Comparative Education
  • Assessment and Accountability in Higher Education
  • Leadership for Cradle to Career Education Systems
  • Special Topics Courses (1 credit each)
  • Specialization course not previously completed
  • Graduate Internship or Independent Study


Special Topics Courses

You may take up to six 1-credit special topics courses in fulfillment of either specializations or electives. Sample courses:

  • Global Alumni Relations
  • International Education Partnerships
  • Data-driven Decision Making in International Education
  • Immigration Policy & Risk Management
  • Globally Connected Education
  • Communicating International Education
     
Capstone: Seminar in Education Policy and Leadership


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact program director Professor Mitch Leventhal at [email protected].

Career Paths

careers

This master's program may be a good choice if you're an aspiring or early career professional or mid-career administrator looking to strengthen your understanding of fundamental topics, best practices, and surfacing issues in the field of international education.

Because few people have been formally trained or educated in management studies specific to international education, this graduate degree stands out on resumes in the job market. It also provides you with an immediate and far-reaching professional network.
 

Common Job Titles
 
  • Director of International Education Programs
  • International Student Affairs Officer
  • Study Abroad Coordinator
  • Enrollment Operations Manager
  • Foreign Student Exchange Specialist
Common Employers
 

Graduates are prepared to assume roles in international education management at:

  • Colleges and Universities
  • Professional Institutes
  • Private-Sector Education Providers
  • State and Federal Government Agencies
  • Nonprofit Organizations and NGOs

"This new degree builds on decades of faculty engagement with issues of international and comparative education, and prepares professionals to respond to emerging trends in the field."

- Jason Lane, Former Dean, School of Education

UAlbany graduate at Commencement
Attend a Top-Ranked Program

The School of Education has been delivering exemplary online courses for more than 20 years. In 2024, UAlbany online graduate programs in education were ranked 4th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

You can earn your master’s degree part-time or full-time through online courses and/or campus-based evening and summer classes that work with your schedule.

In this designated OpenSUNY+ program, you also have access to comprehensive support services including a 24/7 help desk, online tutoring, and personal advising.

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Admissions Requirements

admissions
Deadlines
  • Fall: Rolling
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Not Available

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Two letters of recommendation

Supplemental Documents

Resume

Statement of Goals
The statement is generally one to two pages discussing what you have to offer the program and what you wish to get out of the program.  It should include a brief description of the applicant's field of interest, related background, desired area of study and research emphasis or career goals. 

Educational Leadership Essay
Please type one essay of no more than 800 words each from among the two possible topics below:

  1. Summarize the leadership activities in which you have been involved in recent years and explain how these experiences reflect your vision of and capacity for leadership in higher education.
  2. Identify a problem or challenge in a college, university, or your professional life generally and write an analysis in which you assess the issues(s), describe effective strategies for addressing the issue(s), and make clear the implications for the exercise of effective leadership in the situation.
Special Notes

This program is available fully online and can be completed part-time or full-time.

Additionally, this program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Arts
  • Graduates of this program will be able to apply knowledge related to international education, educational leadership, and educational policy.
  • Graduates will be capable of analyzing complex situations involving international education initiatives, challenges and strategy.
  • Graduates will be able to evaluate competing policies and practice, and contribute toward the creation of new and innovative international education management approaches.
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