The need for increased understanding and ability to work with others internationally has been recognized as a goal for US education. At the same time, the need for citizens to better understand their rights and effectively exercise their responsibilities is a continuing concern for US democratic society. Both of these needs have been solidified in the development of the 21st Century Skills content areas of Global Awareness and Civic Literacy that have been adopted by many area school districts. Maryville University’s School of Education and Center for Civic Engagement and Democracy have collaborated with area school districts to develop a certificate program in International Civic Education Studies to help fill this need.
For admissions information: email us at teachered@maryville.edu or call 314.529.9542. For further information about the program, visit the Center for Civic Engagement and Democracy’s; or call the Center at 314.529.6687.
Program Features
Recognized for Excellence
Our School of Education is nationally accredited and recognized for its emphasis on preparing effective educators as active democratic leaders in today’s schools. You’ll join this effort by working with outstanding faculty members and exemplary professionals from the United States and internationally on expanding your global awareness and civic literacy by partnering locally and internationally on teaching these areas in your school. You’ll enjoy small classes, innovative approaches and practical opportunities for professional growth. The Certificate program will provide you with the knowledge, skills, technology and partnerships to connect your classroom or school to the world and prepare globally educated students.
Cohort Approach
Our program is organized around a cohort plan: cohorts, or student groups, usually consist of 15 to 22 students who advance through their classes together. This builds camaraderie among your peers, provides another educational resource and helps you recognize your own strengths. Your cohort becomes your learning community and a permanent network of trusted colleagues as you proceed through the one year program and further into your career.
Practical Experiences
We understand that you are a busy professional educator so we have designed the certificate to be hands-on, user-friendly, flexible and practice-oriented. Course work will include face-to-face and online seminar sessions on relevant topics provided by Maryville Faculty and other area/national and international experts. Seminar sessions will be held onsite in partnering schools, at the university and internationally in our partnership sites. Certificate assignments and projects will directly apply to your professional duties whether you are a classroom teacher or administrator.
International Practicum in a Partnership Country
During the Certificate program, you will travel with others from your school district to one of our four partnership countries (Morocco, Poland, South Africa or Ukraine) to work with your international peer in their school. This practicum experience is only one aspect of the partnership you will have with your peer in your district’s assigned country. All housing, food and travel expenses for the 7-10 day practicum are included your certificate program.
Built-in Global Civic Action Project
A capstone project is begun early in the certificate program and is completed at the conclusion of the last class. The purpose of this project is for practitioners to investigate and improve their practices in Global Civic Action within the context of their school or classroom. Your project will be conducted in collaboration with your international partner and involve students in both sites. Assessment results of the Civic Action projects will be showcased to an authentic audience during the graduation ceremony in the concluding fall semester.
Certificate Requirements
The program will consist of twelve (12) graduate credit hours of seminar and practicum courses to prepare educators to enhance the teaching and learning of Global Awareness and Civic Literacy in K-12 schooling. Credits for the courses will be
eligible to fulfill electives in existing Master’s in Education programs but no substitute hours or other credit will be permitted to transfer into the Certificate program. Course work will include face-to-face and online seminar sessions on relevant topics provided by Maryville Faculty and other area/national and international experts. Seminar sessions will be held onsite in partnering schools, at the university and internationally in Morocco, Poland, South Africa or Ukraine.
Global Awareness Seminar (3 Credit Hours)
This seminar explores global issues including trends in globalization, education, governance structures, ethnic conflict and cooperation, terrorism, human rights, population, health care, refugee/settlement issues, women and family issues, economics/entrepreneurship, and environmental policy. The course will provide information from a multi-cultural perspective to broaden traditional treatments of the issues. Course assignments will focus on outputs relevant to teaching and assessing these issues by emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration while using information from media and technology.
Civic Literacy Seminar (3 Credit Hours)
This seminar will consider the local and global implications of civic leaders’ decisions resulting from citizens exercising their rights and obligations at local, state, national and global levels. Emphasis will be placed on effective strategies for participating in civic life through knowing how to stay informed and understanding governmental processes. Course assignments will focus on outputs relevant to teaching and emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration while using information from media and technology.
Cross-Cultural Practicum (3 Credit Hours)
This practicum will provide an opportunity to learn from and work collaboratively with peers representing diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual respect and open dialogue in personal, work and community contexts in an international partnership site. Course assignments will require planning and conduct of a cross-cultural curricular or other education-related activity and a 7-10 day educational exchange to the international partnership site to collect information, demonstrate cross-cultural communication skills and build a foundation for future collaboration.
Global Awareness and Civic Literacy Research Seminar (3 Credit Hours)
This seminar will require the use of research and inquiry models and quantitative and qualitative data analysis in education. Students will apply one or more of these models through an applied investigation of their cross-cultural practicum assignment, present the findings to a relevant authentic audience and will be encouraged to submit for scholarly publication. Course assignments will focus on outputs relevant to teaching and emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration while using information from media and technology.
Admission Requirements
Admissions will be through highly selective cohorts of teachers and administrators and limited to 10-15 candidates annually depending on funding. For admission to the certificate program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be an employee of a partnering school district
- Submit transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
- Complete an application for admission to the program (on paper or online)
- Be interviewed by the program director to demonstrate that you have the necessary competencies for the program
- For those seeking the Master of Arts in Education, see the appropriate admission requirements at http://www.maryville.edu/ed/graduate-programs/teacher-as-leader/
- International students must submit appropriate TOEFL scores
