IPSL, in collaboration with
the College of Theology, Arts and Sciences, as well as the Department of
International Studies at Concordia University-Portland welcome applicants to the
GRADUATE PROGRAM IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE. 

International Development THROUGH Service-Leadership!

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE ONLINE FORM TO GET MORE INFORMATION!

DEADLINE FOR FALL 2013 is 15 May 2013, OR UNTIL FILLED.

(APPLICATIONS AFTER ANY DEADLINE WILL BE REVIEWED ONLY IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE. COHORT SIZE IS LIMITED. 
EARLY APPLICATION IS RECOMMENDED)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FALL 2013 GRADUATE PROGRAM APPLICATION

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PROGRAM FLYER

CLICK HERE TO SEE AN AMERICORPS ALUM STORY

Reflecting today’s demand for graduates to understand a variety of perspectives and leaders to navigate complex partnerships, this graduate program is interdisciplinary in nature and requires both significant Service-Learning™ and international study activities.  Drawing from the fields of global nonprofit management, international educational leadership, sustainability, and international studies, the degree educates leaders for professional careers with nonprofits and educational and community development organizations with an international and/or diversity focus.

This degree program is a multi-national collaboration between IPSL, Concordia University-Portland, International Centre for Intercultural Exchange in Italy, Chiang Mai University in Thailand, and Universidad San Francisco de Quito and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.   

The program can be completed in four semesters and requires 36 graduate credit hours. Students spend two semesters in Portland, Oregon, on the campus of Concordia University-Portland, as well as two semesters at two different IPSL International program locations (Siena, ITALY, and Quito/Galapagos Islands, ECUADOR or Chiang Mai, THAILAND.)   

While in Portland, students take courses at Concordia in the College of Theology, Arts & Sciences, as well as in the School of Management, taught by Concordia University faculty members.  While abroad, courses range from Organization, Development and Volunteerism, Topics in International Non-Profit Leadership, Gender and Sexuality in SE Asia, Political Sociology, Public Health Issues in SE Asia or Latin America, Peace-Building as a Philosophical Enterprise, Cultural Anthropology, History of the European Union, Finance,  Ethics from a European Perspective, to the History of Italy Through Cuisine, as well as extensive Reflective Writing.

Courses such as Contemporary Issues in International Education, Introduction to Nonprofit Management, and Non-Profits on the Global Stage frame the program and ensure that students graduate with essential knowledge and skills. Students choose from a series of courses that fit their interests and career goals. The courses allow students to develop expertise and leadership skills that prepare them to work in such areas as international education (e.g. in an international programs office at a college or university), global nonprofit management, international program administration, fundraising, government service, or international volunteer/service-learning™ management.

Service-learning™ is central to the IPSL-Concordia master’s degree. Throughout the program, students engage in substantive service work at a local agency in Portland and in the host communities abroad. The primary purpose of the service is to meet a need in the community. In the process, we draw on service as a source of learning about organizations, leadership, social problems, diverse populations, and the role of service and service-learning in civil society. With a seminar called “Institutions in Society” that runs throughout the program, IPSL students reflect on service and their role as civically engaged leaders in a multicultural society. Current and recent community partners domestically include Planned Parenthood, MercyCorps, AFS Intercultural Programs, Bikes to Rwanda, SMYRC (Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center), Coalition of Community Clinics, OurHouse, International Carpe Diem Foundation, any many more.

While abroad, students live with locals in the community, take classes at our partner universities, and serve in local NGOs and other grassroots organizations. Using an Advocacy Research approach, IPSL graduate students conduct research for an organizational case study that applies what they have learned to a real problem in the field, thus benefitting the host community and host organization(s). For a current list of international volunteer service opportunities, please contact IPSL. Upon their return to Portland during the last semester, 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.

In addition, the Teaching English as a Second Language certificate program that is currently being taught at Concordia would be one of the options for the summer term activity by the students in this program (not included in the comprehensive program fee). 

Program Highlights

• Four semester/20 month program as a full-time graduate student
• First semester at Concordia University in Portland, OR
• Second semester at International Centre for Intercultural Exchange (Siena Italian Studies) in Siena, ITALY
• Third semester term abroad attending a partner university in Chiang Mai University – Chiang Mai, THAILAND, or Universidad San Francisco de Quito – Quito and Galápagos Islands, ECUADOR,
• Fourth semester at Concordia University to finish culminating project/thesis.
• (Optional: Summer at the Concordia University-Portland TESL one-month certificate program - not included in progrm fee)
• Students can choose to focus on their area of interest: Global NGO/Non-profit Leadership, International Education, Refugees/Stateless Societies, Global Health, Women's Empowerment, Conservation and the Environment, ... the program accommmodates all of these interest areas, and more, with a powerful blend of academic coursework and hands-on experience in three countries.
• 10-15 hours of service work per week throughout the program.  The service placements are in the area in which the students focus (see bullet above).
• 36 credits total minimum required for degree.  Students can take up to 40 semester credits with no additional IPSL fees/tuition.
• Annual program fee is currently $32,000 (beginning 2014. 2013 slightly less). Fee includes: Tuition and fees, academic advising, medical insurance (while abroad), room and board for the two semesters abroad, academic excursions in Portland and while living abroad, in-country round trip flights from Quito to the Galápagos Islands (for students choosing Ecuador), service placement administration, professional development and networking opportunities, orientations and retreats. Fee DOES NOT include room and board for two semesters in Portland, Oregon, books, international flights, passport and/or visa fees, personal spending money. Program fees are guaranteed for the entire two-year program once a candidate is admitted and has remitted a deposit. (Candidates must graduate on time with their cohort to receive fee guarantee).
• AMERICORPS Alumni - AmeriCorps Education Awards can be applied to the tuition for the IPSL MA program. In addition, IPSL provides an incentive match of 10% of the Education Award.
• IPSL is pleased to recognize the efforts of our country's PEACECORPS volunteers!  IPSL provides an incentive match scholarship of 10% of the amount of the AmeriCorps two-year Education award to qualified PeaceCoprs returnees.