Training Mode Of Master's Programs In Comparative Education In The United States

This study examines the requirements,curriculum and teaching,individual research and practical activities in Master's programs in comparative education in the United States,explains resources and institutions to support the operation of these programs,and evaluates these programs via the theses and the career development of their students.The aims of this study are:(a)to analyze the relationship between teachers' guide and students' self-development,the combination of theoretical study and practical activities,and the relationship between training of master's and doctoral students,(b)to evaluate how the programs contribute to training comparative education researchers,and(c)to summarize the features of the programs.More than half of the present programs are named programs in international(and)comparative education,while others are named with social science or development education.The number of programs has been increased,though the curriculum on comparative education are more popular than degree programs.Most of teachers have interdisciplinary educational experience and research interests.Apart from doctoral programs,graduates mainly go to universities,non-profit organization and education company.Compulsory courses are mainly consisted of the introduction on comparative education,which are followed by research methods courses and research design courses.Every modules of optional courses have specific training purposes and are consisted of abundant alternatives.Courses and teachers' guidance are closely bound up with students' research projects.Issues of newsletter affiliated with the degree programs are crucial practical activities.Programs have interaction with several research centers.The approval procedure of student service is clear and well informed.Career development service is valued.Master's programs in comparative education in the United States have four features:(a)interdisciplinary,(b)practice-oriented and problem-oriented,(c)focusing on developing the abilities of collecting and analyzing data,(d)giving special attention to development education and multicultural education.The following two are praiseworthy.Courses on introduction to comparative education and on research methods are well structured,goal-directed and highly differentiated,taking range of skills and different types of individual research into account.Secondly,degree thesisor other kinds of personal research project plays the central role.