If your question does not appear below you can contact the Program Director, Iveta Silova at ism207@lehigh.edu for further assistance.

THE STUDENTS

What careers are available for graduates of the program?

Students who graduate from the CIE program often go on to careers in schools, government offices, ministries of education, and international development organizations, including:

• International financial institutions, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, and others.
• Multilateral organizations, including UN agencies (UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
• Bilateral organizations like USAID.
• Non-governmental organizations such as the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Academy for Educational Development (AED), Open Society Institute (OSI), Save the Children, World Vision, and others.

What is the maximum class size?
The maximum class size in CIE is 15 “face-to-face” students and 5 abroad students. Since seminar style classes are most common, small, interactive classes are encouraged. We expect students to meaningfully participate on a regular basis in class discussions.

What is the average age of the students?
Students join CIE at different stages in life. We have some full-time graduate students who just earned their undergraduate degrees and others who have worked in international education for more than 10 years before beginning their advanced degree. Part-time students include teachers in the United States and abroad, community organizers, and various Lehigh faculty members. This combination makes pinpointing an average age of our students difficult, if not impossible. Moreover, we see the diversity in age and experience as an asset to our program and our students.

What is the typical class schedule like?
Classes in the College of Education are usually held either between 4:10-7:00 p.m. or 7:10-10:00 p.m. on weeknights although some are also held during the afternoon.

How many credits does a full-time graduate student take?
Full-time graduate students at Lehigh University are allowed to take 9 credits (3 classes) per semester.

Is it possible to be a part-time student?
Part-time status is absolutely possible in the CIE program. Part time students either take 1 or 2 courses per semester. Many part-time students choose to take summer classes to speed their degree process along.

Is it manageable to hold a full-time job and be a part-time student?
Most part-time students do hold a full-time or part-time job. Having classes at night makes holding a job possible for most students. The course load for part-time students varies depending on personal preference. Some part-time students take two courses per semester while others take one. This is a personal decision, but one you should consult with your advisor about.

Is it manageable to be a full-time student and hold an assistantship?
It is manageable to be a full-time student with an assistantship. (Click here to view more about assistantship opportunities.) Typically, assistantships require 20-hours per week of work, leaving plenty of time to complete course work.