Admissions Tip: Declare Your Love and Explain It

With round one deadlines for a number of programs just around the corner, it’s the time of year when many applicants are working hard on their application essays and learning more about their target programs in the process of rounding out their “why MBA/why school X” discussions. Keeping this important component of the admissions process in mind, we wanted to take the time today to offer some advice on how to polish this element of one’s file and get the most mileage out of this section.

1. Make it personal. Schools look for applicants who seem genuinely excited about their program, and the best way to bring this across in your essays is to come right out and say it. Many applicants are well-researched but present their findings in the form of objective facts. The adcom will already know whether their program features a flexible curriculum, is very strong in marketing, or offers an international focus. What they don’t know – and what you should be explaining in your essays – is what you find exciting and appealing, and why. Stating your interest in a school by connecting its offerings to your goals and interests is a great way to help the adcom understand (and ideally get them to agree with) your opinion that you would be a good fit with the program.

2. Cite your sources. In addition to hearing about your impressions of the program, the adcom will also wonder how you arrived at your conviction that their program is right for you. Did you attend an information session or an MBA tour? Visit the campus? Sit in on a class? Contact the heads of student clubs? Speak with alumni in your current or target field? Comb through student blogs and other online sources of information?  Sharing the steps you’ve taken to familiarize yourself with the school will showcase the effort you have put into learning about the program, and will also add credibility to your comments about your commitment.

3. Keep it tailored. Just as it’s important to mention aspects of the curriculum or community that make a particular school unique in comparison to others, it’s also essential that you highlight how your own interests and goals guide your discussion of school-specific elements. This approach will not only have the benefit of showing off the research you’ve done on the program in question, but will also help you to stand out from other applicants by virtue of your unique goals and interests. Sure, it’s reasonable to mention the core curriculum, as this is an important aspect of the business education, but because this could be a draw for any applicant to a given program, you would be better served by focusing on those classes that are most relevant to your particular educational needs.

Of course, arriving at in-depth knowledge is the first step in this process, and those applicants who are looking to gather key facts for their essays may want to use the Clear Admit School Guides as a starting point. Good luck to everyone who is hard at work on this challenging element of the application process!

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Online Masters Degree in International Studies: Program Info

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Online Masters Degree in International Studies: Program Info

An online master's degree in international studies typically takes 2-3 years to earn. Students learn a variety of topics related to politics, economic issues and globalization.

Overview of an Online Master's Degree in International Studies Program

This graduate program focuses on political, cultural and geographical issues, as well as the relationship between such issues and global politics and economy. Students complete work in an online setting but are often required to complete some sort of fieldwork or independent research.

Program Information and Requirements

Prospective students are generally required to have a bachelor's degree before they can study at the graduate level. Coursework offered for online master's degree programs in international studies is not different from that offered in a campus setting. Students may not have to complete a thesis, but if this is the case, a comprehensive examination must be passed in order to demonstrate proficiency in the field.

Everything from lecture notes and discussion forums to reading materials and tutoring is typically available on the Internet. Online work may require students to download and install appropriate software. Plug-ins, such as Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player, may be required for some online coursework.

Common Coursework

Coursework tends to cover a variety of topics directly related to issues of globalization, human rights and economic development. Although classes are completed online, students are typically required to complete a practicum or internship to display the proficiency needed to enter the professional realm of international studies.

Introduction to International Relations Course

This course addresses foundational elements of globalization, politics, human rights and conflict. Students look at how such factors produce international congruity and conflict.

International Political Economy Course

Students learn a variety of economic concepts and how they relate to global politics. This course emphasizes the idea that economics and politics are heavily influenced by one another.

Globalization Course

Students study advanced economic, political, social and cultural concepts as they relate to the international community as a whole. This course tends to focus on globalization in graduating depths by looking at each issue locally, nationally and internationally.

Career Information for Graduates

Pursuing a career as an international economist is a popular choice for those holding a master's degree in international studies. As of May 2009, the average annual wage for a global economics professional was $96,320, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Between 2008 and 2018, job opportunities in the field are expected to grow by six percent (www.bls.gov).

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What Can You Do With a Masters in International Studies?

With today's world becomingly increasingly connected, a diverse range of opportunities exist for students educated in international banking, law, languages and cultures. Master's degrees in international affairs or foreign language prepare students for careers in global relations, politics, communications and academics.

Master of International Studies: Degree Overview

The Master of International Studies is a degree program that prepares students for international careers concentrating on global issues like conflict resolution, international security, international economics, international health issues, technology, international law and U.S. foreign policy. If you would like an exciting career in this field, then read the following article, which will tell you more.

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Online Masters in Educational Administration: Degree Program Info

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Online Masters in Educational Administration: Degree Program Info

Graduates who hold a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Administration or a Master of Science (M.S.) in Education with an educational administration concentration may seek employment as principals, assistant principals, school district administrators or college administrators. Some additional licensing may be required in some states.

Overview of Online Master's Degree in Educational Administration

Students enrolled in a master's degree program in educational administration explore finance, law, curriculum, organizational structure and resource allocation. They develop leadership skills and learn to inspire other teachers, to foster a positive learning environment and to apply knowledge and theories to problem solving in the classroom and the school. A previously earned bachelor's degree is generally required of candidates for the master's degree. Some schools require at least three years' licensed teaching experience prior to enrollment.

Program Information and Requirements

A master's degree program in educational administration typically consists of 30-54 credit hours. An internship in the field with a licensed principal site supervisor is required by some programs. The online portions of this degree program are usually delivered asynchronously through Blackboard or a similar online course management system. Students can view lectures and work on assignments anytime as long as certain deadlines are met. Interaction with teachers and fellow students is generally conducted through online message boards, chat rooms and e-mail.

Common Educational Administration Courses

The curriculum of the master's degree in educational administration is a combination of core education courses and elective administration courses. The program usually culminates with an internship or a final research project. Also, some schools require a program portfolio documenting the student's progress be submitted before final graduation.

Education Law Course

This course provides a summary of state and federal statutory and case law involving P-12 school systems and their component parts. Specific laws and regulations are illustrated as well as the schools' responsibilities to uphold them. The separation of church and state, students' rights, negotiating employee contracts and collective bargaining are given special attention. Students also learn methods of identifying, thwarting and fixing legal problems before they even appear.

Finance in Education Course

The fiscal elements of the educational system are the focus of this class. The influence of federal, state and local government on the distribution of tax funds to school systems is studied in depth. Students also learn how to budget and use funds wisely and legally. A history of school finance legislation is also provided as well as an identification of the purposes, theories and connections between these various acts and amendments.

Supervision, Evaluation and Improvement of Instruction Course

Students learn the methods of overseeing and assessing the teachers under their administration for the purpose of bettering instruction styles. The different techniques of instruction are identified as well as the positives and negatives of each. The levels of growth an instructor moves through in the process of becoming a proficient professional are discussed.

Career Information

Principals, assistant principals and school district administrators of public elementary and secondary schools generally hold a master's degree in educational administration. Additional licensing may be required by state boards of education. Student affairs personnel in post-secondary institutions may also hold a master's degree in educational administration.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in May 2009, there were 219,280 people employed as education administrators at elementary and secondary schools with an average yearly salary of $87,390 and 105,900 people employed as education administrators in post-secondary institutions with an average yearly salary of $95,340 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also predicted an occupational growth of nine percent for education administrators of elementary and secondary schools and two percent for those working in post-secondary settings between the years 2008-2018.

Continuing Education

Those looking to further their career or education can do so with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education with a specialization in educational leadership, which may also be earned online. The Ph.D. programs are for those looking for more in-depth education or employment at higher levels of administration such as superintendent.

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