(FAQ) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Is Global Studies in Education (GSE) Online an accredited program?
2. Does this program lead to a teaching certificate?
3. Who is this program designed for?
4. Does the GSE program follow the regular university schedule?
5. Can I take a test to see how an online course works?
7. Is a Master's Thesis mandatory for this program?
8. Who can I contact for more information as well as administrative questions during the course?
9. Can I get an extension on my course?
10. What if I can't attend the Study Abroad?
11. How do I get GSE course materials?
12. What kind of support will be available?
13. What benefits do I receive while enrolled at the University of Illinois?
14. Do we ever meet in person?
16. Are any of these courses transferable?
17. Do you accept other courses at the University, or from other institutions?
18. What if I am unable to continue in the program before I finish?
19. How do I know if an online degree program is for me?
20.Are there cost savings to getting an online degree?
21. Can I use waivers for this program?
1. Is Global Studies in Education (GSE) Online an accredited program?
The Master of Education degree you earn with GSE Online is just like any other degree from the Department of Educational Policy Studies in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. UIUC is a fully accredited university, and GSE Online is a fully accredited masters program.
2. Does this program lead to a teaching certificate?
No. GSE Online is not a certificate program.
3. Who is this program designed for?
GSE Online is designed for educators of all types, counselors, as well as study abroad coordinators, school administrators, community youth organizers seeking a better understanding of the ways education is transforming in response to forces of globalization, and the ways education itself can be a driving force in processes of globalization. GSE also welcomes professionals from other fields to join our program.
4. Does the GSE program follow the regular university schedule?
Yes it does. Unlike most online programs in the College of Education, GSE is aligned with the regular UIUC university schedule with semesters in the Fall, Spring and Summer I and Summer II. On occasion, the summer course schedule dates may vary from the regular schedule.
5. Can I take a test to see how an online course works?
Yes, to see a sample course, go to the following address:
http://learn.ed.uiuc.edu/course/view.php?id=438Click "Login as a guest"
Enter the enrollment key: global05
And this will take you to the "Globalization and Educational Policy " course!
6. What is a "cohort"?
GSE courses are cohort-based, so the same group of students enroll together at the beginning of the program, move through the sequenced courses together, and graduate at the same time. Throughout the program there will be opportunities to work together with your cohort, online primarily, and in person; thus, you will certainly develop a sense of community with your cohort colleagues. This is a unique feature of the GSE program. Cohorts begin in both the Fall and Spring semesters.
7. Is a Master's Thesis mandatory for this program?
No. Unlike a Master of Arts degree, a masters thesis is not required in a Master of Education degree. GSE Online does have an entire course, School-Based Project in Internationalization, devoted to an individual project useful to the student's own school or organization. This is considered to be the capstone project. This project will utilize some of the theoretical and practical ideas explored in the core courses during the program.
8. Who can I contact for more information as well as administrative questions during the course?
You will be able to contact the Coordinator of Online Programs in the Educational Policy Studies Department with any concerns or questions throughout your time in the program.You will also know your course instructors' email addresses. This information will be provided during the orientation, and will be made available again each semester. Because we have small cohorts, there is a great deal of personal attention. Additionally, you may contact the GSE staff for assistance.
9. Can I get an extension on my course?
Extensions for student coursework are a matter to be determined by individual instructors.
10. What if I can't attend the Study Abroad?
The Study Abroad course is an optional elective.
11. How do I get GSE course materials?
Most course materials are available online in pdf and word document formatting. Those books that are required to be purchased can all be ordered online.
12. What kind of support will be available?
A variety of support will be available for all GSE students. First of all, students will have access to regular, ongoing technical support to assist in the nuts and bolts of using the online course features. Second, each student will be in regular communication with course professors and teaching assistants.
13. What benefits do I receive while enrolled at the University of Illinois?
As a GSE student at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, you will benefit from access to a great many resources. First of all, the Educational Policy Studies (EPS) department resides within the College of Education, where a variety of educational resources can be found. Next, GSE is affiliated with the Center for Global Studies which can assist in several aspects of your GSE research and coursework. Also, the University of Illinois has one of the finest libraries in the United States, and the Education and Social Science Library provides very helpful online services for educators as well as access to multiple online text publications and articles. Our library is a profound asset, both for its holdings and for its services. As graduate students you are encouraged to ask librarians for any assistance you require.
14. Do we ever meet in person?
There may be opportunities to meet in person, but it is not required. One of those opportunities to meet together will be the Study Abroad course, in which you have the possibility to travel abroad with your cohort on a planned international education research trip. Other opportunities may include conferences and the graduation ceremony.
15. How will we be evaluated?
You will be evaluated based on course requirements set by individual course instructors.
16. Are any of these courses transferable?
As these courses are part of the College of Education catalogue, they certainly may be transferred in precisely the same manner as any University of Illinois course.
17. Do you accept other courses at the University, or from other institutions?
This decision will be made at the discretion of the Program Director and the Coordinator of Online Programs. It should be kept in mind that the program is set up with specific requirements in a set order. Also, often courses are not equivalent from one institution to another in terms of content, hours and other factors.
18. What if I am unable to continue in the program before I finish?
GSE courses are cohort-based, so the same group of students enroll together at the beginning of the program, move through the program together, and graduate at the same time. This means that all courses are only offered in that scheduled sequence. So if you are unable to continue in the program for any reason, you will have to wait for the next time that course is offered for the next cohort.
19. How do I know if an online degree program is for me?
Online classes are often very different than traditional face-to-face classes in terms of how the material is presented, the nature of the interaction among class members, and the overall learning experience. Many students report that they actually learn more in online classes than in face-to-face classes and find the experience more rewarding. But online classes aren't right for everyone. Even if you are an excellent student, you may find that online classes are not compatible with your learning style. So, before enrolling in your first online class, give some thought to whether online learning is right for you. Answering the following questions may help you with this process:
http://www.online.uillinois.edu/students/well_suited.asp
20. Are there cost savings to getting an online degree?
Yes, most people do not stop to factor in many of the cost savings. Online students can study from the comfort of their own homes. They do not need to pay for gas or parking. Often they can save childcare costs as well. Many of the readings needed for online classes are posted on the course management site. Many courses do not require the purchase of a textbook.
In addition, the online format creates an environment where many students can obtain a prestigious higher education degree while still continuing to work. It is an excellent solution for working professionals.
21. Can I use waivers for this program?
As of the Fall 2007 semester, unlike students in other on-campus programs, GSE students cannot use the following waivers:
*Cooperating Teacher waivers
*Faculty/Staff waivers
*Non-Academic waivers from employees of the other state institutions
*Academic waivers from employees at UIC and UIS