Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Why earn a Master of
Arts Degree in International Development?
There are an
estimated 600 million people with disabilities, including deaf people,
living around the world and historically, the majority of them have been
excluded from development assistance programs. The United States Agency
for International Development (USAID) is the United States’
international development agency housed within the State Department and
is responsible for annually sending billions of dollars of development
assistance overseas. As of December, 2004, USAID is required by federal
law to increase the number of employees in their own agency who have a
disability, as well as require contractors and grantees to demonstrate
in their RFPs the inclusion of people with disabilities in all new
development programs. Both USAID and collaborating organizations will
need to hire professionals who have disabilities as well as
professionals trained in inclusion. For the first time, a Disability
Advisor has been hired at USAID oversee and insure that the disability
policy will be adhered to in all contracts. Professionals are needed
to advise USAID and other international organizations concerning
international development and people with disabilities.
2.
Why is this Master of Arts Degree in International Development unique
from other university International Development degrees?
Nowhere in
the United States can one find a university program or any program for
that matter, which studies International Development with a focus on
Disability except for the International Development Certificate offered
through the Department of Educational Foundations and Research here at
Gallaudet. International organizations struggle to find professionals
who have studied International Development and have a background in
inclusion of people with disabilities so that organizations such as, the
World Bank, USAID, Rehabilitation International, the World Institute on
Disability, Disabled Peoples’ International, InterAction, and Mobility
International were pleased to write letters of support for this proposed
degree program.
Also, this
MA is unique because the first year of the degree is online so that
students can enroll in courses from anywhere in the world. The
combination of online courses and on campus course work makes the degree
more accessible to those who are unable to physically be in DC for two
years, and it gives students the unique experience of living and
studying in the Gallaudet environment.
3. What is the difference between the existing International
Development Certificate and the International Development MA?
The MA will
prepare students to work in any area of International Development while
possessing the unique knowledge of how to include people with
disabilities in development assistance programs. Some graduates may
choose to work in the area of gender, for example, and help establish
programs teaching African women how to form cooperatives. Rather than
marginalizing people with disabilities, the graduate would be
knowledgeable in how to make the program accessible to and inclusive of
people with disabilities and deaf community members. Other graduates
may choose to only work with people with disabilities or deaf people
through specialized agencies such as Rehabilitation International or
Disabled Peoples’ International. In December, 2006, there was a job
announcement for the CEO position for an international development
organization working with deaf people in developing countries. A
graduate of this proposed degree program would have the knowledge and
experience from their coursework, practicum and internship to fulfill
the CEO role.
The
Certificate Program is for those who have earned their BA or MA in a
specific field such as Deaf Education or Social Work, and would like to
use their degrees overseas to work with people with disabilities through
groups such as the Peace Corps or faith-based organizations. The
Certificate prepares them to understand the international issues,
development issues, and disability issues they will face when they
arrive overseas. Several professionals who already possess
International degrees and do not necessarily want to earn another MA,
earn the certificate to learn more about disability.
4.
Do I need to study full-time?
No. You can
work at your own pace. Often people are working professionals who do not
have time to study full-time, so they enroll in one or two courses per
semester. We strongly suggest, though, that if you are working full
time, that you do not study full-time, too. Remember that ID courses are
not taught during the summer.
5. What happens if I am unable to take a course every semester?
Perhaps I have work or family obligations that interfere with my
studies.
That's no
problem. You can take time off from school, but you need to inform us so
that you are not dropped from the program. There is a
"Continuing Enrollment Form" that you fill out that informs of us
your intentions.
6.
If I am enrolled in the MA degree program but realize that I will not be
able to finish the degree, will the online courses I've already taken
count for the ID certificate?
Yes, they
do. If you have finished all of the ID courses for the certificate, you
will receive the certificate. If you are still short some of the courses
for the certificate, you can enroll in them with the intention of
earning the certificate.
5. What if as I study for the ID certificate, I
decide I want to earn the ID MA degree - can I do this?
Yes, you
can. You would need to
apply for the MA degree.
Intern,
Volunteer or Work Abroad
Application and Prerequisites
Student Financial
Services (scroll down the page and you will find "Tuition
and Fee Schedule & Explanations")
Financial Aid
Taking Courses as a Special Student
Certificate in
International Development
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