Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies, M.S.Ed.

Opening new worlds of opportunity and connection through the study of linguistic and social practices across cultures and contexts.

The Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies, M.S.Ed. program prepares students for careers at the intersection of language, culture, and global engagement—including international student advising, study abroad programming, and refugee and immigrant support. Students gain the skills and knowledge to understand linguistic and social practices between people with differing cultural and organizational backgrounds.

Program Details

Fall Entry term
Full or Part-Time Enrollment Format
2 Years Duration (full-time)
On Campus Modality

Overview

As a student in the Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies, M.S.Ed. (LGIS) program, you’ll participate in a broad range of coursework and field experiences in the ethnographic study of communication across cultural and organizational contexts.

Graduates of LGIS pursue careers in cultural exchange advising and administration, study-abroad programming, refugee and immigrant support, curriculum development, and consulting around organizational and cultural complexities. The program also provides a solid foundation in ethnographic and discourse analysis research methods for students considering a career in intercultural research and doctoral study. Although specific interests and career goals vary, all students learn to analyze the many linguistic, discursive, social, and cultural issues encountered in interaction.

A key component of the LGIS program is the summer internship, where students apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting, gaining practical experience and building professional networks.

Community Impact in Philadelphia

Community engagement and service-learning are integral to the Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies, M.S.Ed. program. Service-learning fieldwork allows students to bridge the theoretical concepts learned in coursework with practical skills and experiences gained outside of the classroom.

Take the Next Step

Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid

Hear From Our Alumni

“I bring together students from different backgrounds and experiences to help them learn from one another and build a richer community. I would not be able to succeed without the foundation I received from Penn GSE.”

Kia Marie Lor, M.S.Ed., GED'16

Hear From Our Alumni

Kia Marie Lor, M.S.Ed., GED'16

Admissions Events

View More Events

Nov 05

International Student Virtual Information Session

Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 am | Location: Online
Nov 07

Friday Virtual Chat

Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am | Location: Online
Nov 11

Financial Aid Virtual Information Session

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Location: Online

Curriculum

This interdisciplinary program can be completed in 2 years full-time and includes courses and electives from Penn GSE and across the University of Pennsylvania. A summer internship allows you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

Course Requirements: 12 courses (7 required, 5 electives)
Transfer Courses: Up to 2 (electives only)

For more information on courses and requirements, visit the Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Studies M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.

Participant Observation at an Internship Site

Participant observation is an integral component of the LGIS program at Penn GSE. The experience allows students to connect the theoretical concepts they're learning in their coursework with real-world practice, fostering both critical reflection and the development of intercultural competence.

Learning in the LGIS program extends beyond the classroom. A key element is the 160-hour participant observation internship, typically completed during the summer between the first and second year. This internship is not simply about meeting an hour requirement—it is an opportunity to learn from, with, and about the people and communities.

Internship sites include international student advising offices, elementary and secondary schools, community outreach organizations, social service agencies, educational or cultural exchange programs, and consulting firms. To ensure alignment with program goals, all students must submit an Internship Proposal for faculty approval prior to beginning their placement.

Do you have questions about the plan of study?

We're happy to help! Contact the Program Assistant, Erica Poinsett, epoinset@upenn.edu.

Citizen Sociolinguistics
Globalization & the University
Education in Developing Countries
Linguistic Anthropology of Education
Teaching Multilingual Immigrant Youth
Classroom Discourse Analysis
Approaches to Teaching English & Other Modern Languages
Indigenous Education & Language Revitalization
School & Society in America
Selected Topics in Educational Linguistics
Gender & Education
Cultural Perspectives on Human Development
Language Diversity & Education
Second Language Development
Issues in Second Language Acquisition
Genealogies of Race and Language in Educational Research
Approaches to Discourse Analysis
Approaches to Teaching Chinese
Language in Culture & Society

Year 1

Year 2

Fall 1

EDUC 6200, Intro to Applied Linguistics
EDUC 6205, Linguistics in Education
EDUC 6220, Discursive Approaches in LGIS

Fall 2

EDUC 6299, Ethnography for LGIS
Elective
Distribution

Spring 1

EDUC 6210, Sociolinguistics in Education
EDUC 7220, Seminar in Microethnograpy
ELX Elective

Spring 1

EDUC 8230, LGIS Seminar
Elective
Elective

Summer

Participant Observation Internship

This suggested plan of study is for full-time students; students enrolled part-time will work with the program manager and faculty to determine the best plan of study for their situation.

Outcomes

Graduates are prepared for careers in cultural exchange advising and administration, study-abroad programming, refugee and immigrant support, and curriculum development training and facilitation. A number of our graduates enroll in doctoral programs to pursue in-depth research in fields such as applied linguistics and education.

Alumni Careers

Assistant Director of Language and Intercultural Learning, Wesleyan University
Associate Education Analyst, NYC Department of Education
Associate Professor, Yunnan Nationalities University
Deputy Head of Admissions Counseling, The Edge Learning Center
Doctoral Student in Multicultural Education, University of Washington
Education Abroad Program Coordinator, Kennesaw State University
Education Programs Manager, Asian Arts Initiative
English Teacher, Upper Merion High School
Immigration Advisor and Cultural Consultant, Virginia Commonwealth University
Media Campaign Manager, Google, Inc.

Apply Now

A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Program Faculty

Our faculty are valued members of the Penn GSE community and are leaders in their fields and disciplines across higher education and in the private sector. In addition to teaching students, many of our faculty also contribute to curricular development, research, and serve as student advisors.