Master's Degree

Master’s in Comparative and International Disability Policy

The Master of International Affairs in Comparative and International Disability Policy (CIDP) degree, offered by the School of International Service at American University, is the centerpiece program of the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP). The IDPP is led by COTELCO: The Center for Research on Collaboratories and Technology Enhanced Learning Communities, a research center at American University.
 

Innovative:

• World’s first virtual graduate degree in disability policy
• Advanced cyberlearning techniques allow for vast flexibility and accessibility
• Interactive and accessible "virtual classroom" includes audio, video, and chat functions; ability for students to "raise their hand"; closed-captioning and/or Sign Language interpretation; and screenreader accessibility

Flexible:

• Courses available from anywhere around the world, including low bandwidth internet areas
• Renowned global faculty with a variety of expertise teach from around the world
• Courses offered entirely online, and can be experienced "live" in real time or accessed on-demand via recordings available to students at all times
• Accelerated one year or extended part time options available for program completion
• Take as little as one (1) credit or one (1) course per semester, or as many as twelve (12) credits per semester

Accessible:

• Courses incorporate Universal Design for Learning principles
• Courses accessible to blind, deaf, and mobility impaired students
• "Virtual classroom" accessible in low bandwidth internet areas and around the world
• Course recordings include audio, video, and chat feeds; closed captions and transcript; and accessible at any time
• Full courses and short skills institutes offered at times that suit working professionals
• Anyone from around the world can apply for the CIDP Master’s program*
• IDPP's cyberinfrastructure consists of an innovative combination of virtual tools to make the program as accessible as possible

Empowering:

• A CIDP Master’s degree empowers graduates to become global disability policy leaders
• Courses teach necessary skills to impact public policies that directly affect disability community
• Curriculum blends theory with practical skills experience; internships available
• Master's degree issued from American University-School of International Service, a renowned international affairs schools with a global reputation and active alumni network
• The Nippon Foundation offers full fellowships for fifteen (15) students, with preference given to students from the ASEAN region who are blind or visually impaired; deaf or hard of hearing; and/or mobility impaired
   

Learn more about the CIDP Master's program (PDF)

*At this time, the distance learning programs of American University are not accepting admissions applications
from residents of the state of Alabama.