Questions? (503) 954-1812
"It is one thing to study abroad, learn about a culture and see the sights. It is quite another thing to go beyond the temporary, visiting tourist status and collaborate with a community that will receive you as one of their own."
What is the Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Focus in Leadership for International Service?
This IPSL Masters Degree program is an experiential eighteen month program designed to prepare
you for a career in not-for-profit service agencies internationally and/or locally. The
program combines rigorous academic study with hands-on volunteer service in the US & a
choice of work in Mexico or Jamaica. You will learn theory, apply your learning through
grassroots experience, and will gain skills and capacities that not-for-profit agencies
tell us they need. When you are done, you will be ready to take on a leadership role in
agencies serving the needs of diverse populations on both the local and international
levels.
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The program combines formal academic study with volunteer experiences in service agencies in two countries. Over the course of eighteen months, you will study intercultural communication, social issues, service delivery, and leadership. At the same time, you will actively engage in service.
To ensure that you will have many and varied opportunities for intercultural and international experiences, comparison and studies, IPSL partners with:
The curriculum is designed so that all participants increase their capacity to
work inclusively with people from around their community and around the world.
Through serving, leading, learning, and reflection, you will develop the skills
and competencies needed for a leadership career in a service agency. When you are
done you will be well prepared to manage services to diverse populations, in diverse
situations agencies or programs, in the United States and internationally.
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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.
Summer 2009 (July 6-August 29, 2009):The program begins in July 2009 with in 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.
In July, 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).
Fall 2009 (September 8-December 16, 2009):During the fall 2009 quarter 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.
Spring 2010 semester/Winter-Spring Terms (January 4-May 14, 2010):You will choose to serve and learn at either 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.
Summer 2010 (July 5-August 27, 2010):You return to Portland and the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication (SIIC) for an advanced seminar in intercultural communication. You will continue your studies in non-profit management and engage in another service placement with reflection and analysis.
Fall 2010 (September 27 - December 17, 2010):You will remain in Portland through the fall 2010 quarter, continuing 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 Mexico
and Jamaica. Upon successful completion of the program, you are awarded the Master of Arts
in Interdisciplinary Studies from Portland State University.
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In Portland, you may offer service in agencies that serve diverse populations, both domestic and international, in areas such as refugee resettlement, special education, international disaster relief, community services, public health, and environmental sustainability.
In Jamaica or Mexico, areas of service include education, health care, environmental sustainability,
and community development. Our students have served with international organizations such as Habitat
for Humanity and the International Red Cross, as well as with smaller, local organizations
such as the YMCA, educational institutions, prisoner rehabilitation initiatives, and homes
for young single mothers. Your service may be direct human care such as assisting orphans
or the disabled, or it might draw upon and develop organizational and leadership skills,
such as designing educational programs for children or assisting in the development,
implementation, or running of social service programs of all kinds.
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While in Portland, you may choose to live in a dormitory, a private apartment, or a
homestay. While in Mexico or Jamaica, you will live in a home-stay with a local family,
who introduces you to family life in the culture and provides some of your meals. (There is
an option of an apartment with no meal service in Mexico only).
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Click HERE for an estimated budget for the
Masters Degree program.
Click HERE for information about
financial aid.
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 Masters Degree, you should apply at the same
time you apply for the academic program and indicate PSU as your institution.
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IPSL program applications are accepted as rolling basis, starting April 1 and ending May 30, 2009. Click HERE for a Word (.doc) version and HERE for an Acrobat (.pdf) version of the application form.
Early application is encouraged as we accept students on a rolling basis and the program may fill before the official end deadline. For those seeking financial aid, May 1, 2009 is the latest you can apply for assistance and have funds available for July, 2009.
Applications are evaluated as they are received. The program welcomes students from any nation. We look for students who demonstrate maturity, intellectual ability, and a desire to serve.
Applicants must have completed a bachelors degree from a regionally-accredited institution before entering the IPSL program, with a minimum of a 3.0 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent.
When the complete application has been received by IPSL, you will be notified of the
decision on your application within approximately 6-8 weeks. If you are accepted, you
will be asked to submit additional acceptance materials. You may not take part in the
IPSL program without having submitted all of the required information.
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For more details on the program, see Frequently Asked Questions. Feel free to contact IPSL at Tel (503) 954-1812 or maisapp@ipsl.org to discuss details of the program and the application and financial aid processes. We welcome your inquiries.
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