As a student in the IU Online MSEd in International and Comparative Education, you will learn the relationship between education and the economic, social, political, and cultural developments that shape national and regional systems of schooling. Professionals can take this degree to broaden their intellectual outlook and develop important analytic and research skills. Students can take this degree as a first step toward a PhD program. Depending on course availability, the concentration requirement provides the ability to specialize in practical areas like higher education administration or educational leadership; or in thematic areas like literacy and language education, development studies, or public policy.