Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies
Focus on International Development and Service

Master of Science and Master of Arts Available

See: IPSL 2011 MA Information Packet

Download an application here.

Cultivating the Leaders the World Needs

The IPSL master’s degree focuses on international development and service. Reflecting today’s need for graduates to understand a variety of perspectives, and leaders to navigate complex partnerships, the master’s degree is interdisciplinary, drawing from the fields of global nonprofit management, global educational leadership, and international studies. The degree trains leaders for professional careers with global nonprofits and educational and community development organizations with an international focus.

The program can be completed in 20 months and requires 54 graduate credit hours. Students spend their first year of study in Portland. During the fall, winter, and spring terms, students take courses at Portland State University in Public Administration (which houses nonprofit management), Educational Leadership and Policy, and International Studies. Core courses such as Global Sustainable Development and Introduction to Nonprofit Management frame the program and ensure that students graduate with essential knowledge and skills. However, students also choose a series of electives that fit their interests and career goals. The electives allow students to develop expertise and leadership skills that prepare them to work in such areas as sustainability education, student services, program administration, fundraising, or volunteer management. With a seminar called Global Self, Citizenship, and Service that runs throughout the program, IPSL students reflect on their role as civically engaged leaders in a multicultural society. Throughout the year and into the summer, students also engage in service work at a local agency in Portland.

After completing the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication in Portland, students travel abroad to Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (studying at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and the GAIAS (Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences) Institute, Guadalajara, Mexico (studying at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara) or Kingston, Jamaica (studying at the University of Technology) for the second fall term. Students live with home-stay families, take classes at our partner universities, and serve in local agencies. They also conduct research to apply to a real problem, in the field what they have learned at Portland State. Upon their return to Portland for the winter quarter, students focus on their culminating project, a theory-to-practice analysis that brings together their coursework, research, and service with a practical problem-solving approach.

• 20-month program as a full-time student

• First twelve months of the program at Portland State University in Portland, OR, including the ICI Summer Institute in Intercultural Communication (SIIC)

• Second fall (2011) term abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico or Kingston, Jamaica

• Return to Portland to complete projects and graduate in Winter 2012

• Core classes in three disciplines:

  • Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP)

  • International Studies (INTL)

  • Public Administration / Nonprofit Management (PA).

• Two elective courses in ELP and two elective courses in PA. One elective, either in PA or ELP, should have a leadership focus.

• 10-15 hours of service work per week

• 54 credits total

The program is offered through Portland State University (PSU), in Portland, Oregon, one of the most civically-engaged universities in the United States. The 2009-10 program runs from July 2009 through December 2010.The 2010-2012 program runs August 2010 to March 2012. Fall, Winter and Spring terms will be at PSU. Summer will be at the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communcation (SIIC). Fall 2011 term will be abroad at either Galapagos, Ecuador, Kingston, Jamaica or Guadalajara, Mexico. The final winter term of 2012 will be at PSU.

The program includes an intensive orientation seminar to learn about the theory and practice of service-learning and experiential learning in general. You will also be introduced to some of the practical issues of the program.

You will participate in an intensive set of sessions in intercultural communication theory and practice at the internationally-known Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication (SIIC), hosted by our partner the Intercultural Communication Institute (ICI). As well, you will take an overview course on International NGO’s (Non-Governmental Agencies).

At PSU, you will engage in service and structured reflection on your service, including an analysis of your host agency; and learn techniques and ethics of qualitative research, linking with a potential thesis advisor. You will also take course work in inclusive leadership and non-profit management.

You will choose to serve and learn at either the Universidad San Francisco de Quito/GAIAS Institute, the University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica, or at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Spanish language ability is required to go to Mexico; see the Masters Degree program application (Language Assessment Exams) for details.

The courses at U-Tech and UAG will help you understand the social, cultural, political, and historical realities of your host nation. You will also do a case study of your service agency and initiate a research project with assistance from a local adviser and in collaboration through distance learning with PSU. You will continue the process of reflection and analysis, this time in a different culture and nation.

In Portland, you will continue to serve and take a required and an elective course in non-profit management. During this term, you will complete and defend your Masters Degree project while taking a capstone seminar together as a cohort.

PSU awards credit for the demonstrated academic learning done at the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication (SIIC) and recognizes all course work completed in pon successful completion of the program, you are awarded the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Portland State University.

The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership in cooperation with:

Portland State University
Intercultural Communication Institute
University of Technology, Jamaica
Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Mexico

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

GAIAS

What is the cost of the program and what does it include?

Please note that this program fee is unique in that it is a comprehensive, guaranteed fee (and insulated from foreign currency fluctuations), regardless of any increases in PSU tuition, for students adhering to the cohort schedule as outlined in the IPSL program materials.

Total M.A. program fee for Oregon residents will be $58.000.
Total M.A. program fee for non-residents will be $68,000.

This comprehensive fee includes:

• all tuition

• room and board (Galapagos, Kingston or Guadalajara only - not full board)

• one-on-one, personalized academic coordination and advising

• all fees

• insurance

• academic excursions

• service-placement coordination and oversight

• placement assistance

• and other services that PSU provides to its students

What other costs should I plan for?

How does financial aid work?

If you are applying for financial aid, you will need to complete Portland State University’s instructions for financial aid found at www.pdx.edu/finaid/.

If you are seeking financial aid for your master’s degree, you should apply at the same time you apply for the academic program and indicate PSU as your institution.

Can I get a scholarship?

While IPSL does not offer any scholarships at this time, we have put together a list of related scholarship resources at www.ipsl.org/programs/financialaid

Portland State University offers scholarships for which some IPSL students might qualify. Information is available at www.pdx.edu/finaid/scholarship

Can I get a graduate assistantship?

IPSL students may qualify for PSU graduate assistantships, which typically include tuition remission and often a stipend. For more information, please see the Office of Graduate Studies information at www.gsr.pdx.edu/ogs_gradassists.php

Does PSU or IPSL match the AmeriCorps Education Award?

No. Unfortunately, PSU is not able to match the AmeriCorps award.IPSl can accept the Americorps award (without matching).