School for International Training

Last updated
School for International Training
School for international training international building 20041204.jpg
Type Private, Graduate, Study abroad
Established1964;60 years ago (1964)
Parent institution
 World Learning
President Sophia Howlett, PhD.
Students143 (2017-18) [1]
Location
Brattleboro
,
Vermont
,
United States
Campus Rural
Website www.sit.edu

The School for International Training, widely known by its initials SIT, is a private non-profit regionally-accredited institution headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, United States. The institution has two main divisions. SIT Graduate Institute administers a wide range of internationally-focused master's degree programs as well as a Doctor of Education degree in Global Education. SIT Study Abroad administers undergraduate study abroad programs which combine field-based experiential learning with academic research or internship opportunities.

Contents

SIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The school itself is a unit of World Learning, a non-profit international development and education organization that began in 1932 as an international exchange program called the Experiment in International Living.

History

Established in 1964, the Vermont campus of SIT served as the first training site for the newly-founded Peace Corps and originally consisted of a small collection of dorms around a Carriage House on a scenic farm on the north end of Brattleboro. Here, early Peace Corps volunteers took lessons in foreign languages with materials and teachers from the language training from their service, and The School for International Training began to expand its offerings. By 1968, the small but increasing number of returned Peace Corps volunteers were requesting a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language, a new specialty. In 1969, two graduate programs were developed, International Career Training (ICT), and Masters in Teaching Languages (MAT) (French, Spanish and ESL). An undergraduate program, the World Issues Program (WIP), was developed in 1973 and resulted in 26 graduating classes. The WIP program was based on an experiential learning model. Students received their BA in International or Community Development, and International Studies. The last WIP class graduated in 1999.

The first MAT class consisted of three students, the second of 28 students, and the third of 38; in the fourth year the class size reached 50 students and stayed there for many years. ICTs spent part of their program on campus and part in internships around the world. MATs originally went to Mexico or Quebec for student teaching but by 1972, students began to develop other sites around the world. Eventually, the ICT program changed to PIM: Programs in Intercultural Management and developed specializations in NGS's and Civil Society, Peace and Conflict Transformation, Social Justice, Socially Responsible Management, Sustainable Development, International Education, Language and Culture, Teacher Preparation. Jody Williams, an MAT graduate, won the Nobel Prize for her work on banning land mines. Wangari Maathai, former Trustee Emerita, won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on sustainable development and democracy in Kenya.

In the late 1990s the MAT department created the Teacher Knowledge Project as a way for teachers to work together using the reflective cycle (to inquire into their practice) and principles of Experiential Learning. This project resulted in research in schools in New England focusing on reflective teaching, mentoring and structured language immersion. Other offshoots of the MAT program include a four-week TESOL Certificate program that offers basic preparation for teaching English as a second or foreign language and the ACCESS program that helps content teachers develop skills for working with English language learners in their classes. [2]

Over the years, the School for International Training hosted and worked with Nord-Amerika Somera Kursaro (NASK), BRAC, OTEP, USAID and other international groups through the World Learning network.

SIT Study Abroad

SIT Study Abroad offers undergraduate study abroad programs on all seven continents, focusing on cultural immersion, field-based learning, and experiential learning. Programs are divided via geography and critical global issues, including Climate & Environment, Development & Inequality, Education & Social Change, Geopolitics & Power, Global Health & Well-being, Identity & Human Resilience, and Peace & Justice. Since 2007, the International Honors Program (IHP) has been a division of SIT Study Abroad. IHP programs typically spend the semester traveling to three different continents while focusing on a central academic theme that falls within the aforementioned critical global issues. IHP had previously been an independent non-profit organization before its merger into SIT.

In keeping with the mission of the overall organization, SIT's programs focus on social justice and intercultural communication. SIT was the first study abroad program to achieve net-zero energy status.

SIT Graduate Institute

SIT Graduate institute offers master's degrees and certificates in low-residency formats and global MAs in which students study at SIT centers abroad. Since 2021, the SIT Graduate Institute also delivers a Doctor of Education degree in Global Education. In addition, SIT grants graduate certificates in International Education and peacebuilding (via a summer program called Conflict Transformation Across Cultures, or CONTACT). [3]

Like the SIT Study Abroad programs, all graduate degree programs are based on seven "critical global issues" which include Climate & Environment, Development & Inequality, Education & Social Change, Geopolitics & Power, Global Health & Well-being, Identity & Human Resilience, and Peace & Justice.

In prior years, degree programs were largely delivered in-person on the SIT campus in Brattleboro, Vermont or in the World Learning center in Washington, DC. In January 2018, SIT announced a change of degree offerings and formats, replacing full-time, on-campus master's programs with a global degree format. Low-residency and certificate programs still take place on the Vermont campus several weeks each year. Global degrees take place in up to three countries relevant to the degree focus. In the 2018-2019 school year, there were 199 full- and part-time students at SIT.

In 2019, SIT Graduate Institute received the U.S. State Department's English Language Fellow Top Producing Institution Award, recognizing that SIT has produced the largest number of Fellows.

The institute is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. It was originally accredited in 1974, and most recently reaccredited in 2023. [4]

Administration and faculty

The school's website currently lists 19 core faculty members, including six department chairs and one program director; as well as senior practitioners and adjunct faculty. [5]

Notable alumni

See also

Related Research Articles

A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which prepares students for work as a teacher in schools. A Bachelor of Education program typically lasts three to four years and combines both coursework and practical experience in educational settings. The curriculum is designed to provide foundational knowledge in pedagogy, educational psychology, teaching methodologies, and subject-specific training. Graduates of this program are equipped with the skills necessary to foster a supportive and effective learning environment for their students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaplan, Inc.</span> International educational services company

Kaplan, Inc. is an international educational services company that provides educational and training services to colleges, universities, businesses and individuals around the world. Founded in 1938 by Stanley Kaplan, the company offers a variety of test preparation, certifications, and student support services. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hankuk University of Foreign Studies</span> Private university in South Korea

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is a private research university based in Seoul, in South Korea. The university currently teaches 45 foreign languages. In addition, it contains studies in humanities, law, political science, social sciences, business, medical science, natural sciences, and engineering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Christian University</span> University in Tokyo

International Christian University is a non-denominational private university located in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan, commonly known as ICU. With the efforts of Prince Takamatsu, General Douglas MacArthur, and BOJ President Hisato Ichimada, ICU was established in 1949 as the first liberal arts college in Japan. Currently the university offers 31 undergraduate majors and a graduate school. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology selected ICU as one of the 37 schools for The Top Global University Project in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webster Vienna Private University</span> University in Austria

Webster Vienna Private University is a private American university in Vienna, Austria. While affiliated to the Webster University in St. Louis, USA, it remains a distinct and separate institution.

This is an index of education articles.

John F. Kennedy University was a private university based in California with offices in San Jose, California. The university was founded in 1965 to offer degrees and certificates for non-traditional higher education students, taught mostly by adjunct faculty. In April 2009, the university became an affiliate of the National University System initially as an independent university. The institution closed in 2020 with programs transferred to other National University schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore University of Social Sciences</span> University in Singapore

The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is a public autonomous university in Singapore. Established in 2017, SUSS focuses on applied degree programmes primarily in the social sciences. In 2017, SUSS received its inaugural class of 2,137 graduates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgetown University in Qatar</span> Campus of the Walsh School of Foreign Service in Dohas Education City

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) is a campus of Georgetown University in Education City, Doha, Qatar. It is one of Georgetown University's eleven undergraduate and graduate schools, and is supported by a partnership between Qatar Foundation and Georgetown University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ICESI University</span> Private university in Cali, Colombia

Icesi University is a private university located in Cali, Colombia. The campus is located in the area of Pance, south of the city. Founded in 1979 by a group of businessmen in the region. Icesi University with a campus of 141,334 square meters, offers undergraduate programs, specializations, masters and doctorates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's University Faculty of Education</span> Faculty of Queens University in Canada

The Faculty of Education at the Queen's University at Kingston in Canada was founded in 1907. Over 23,000 teachers and education professionals have graduated from the Faculty since 1907. The Faculty is located at Duncan McArthur Hall, an integrated educational complex that provides teaching and learning facilities, support services, and administrative offices under one roof on West Campus.

Pre-service teacher education is the education and training provided to student teachers before they have undertaken any teaching.

KIMEP University is a private university founded in 1992 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Experiment in International Living</span> Voluntary association

The Experiment in International Living, or The Experiment, is a worldwide program offering homestays, language, arts, community service, ecological adventure, culinary, and regional and cultural exploration programs of international cross-cultural education for high school students. It is administered by World Learning, a non-profit, international development and education organization based in Brattleboro, Vermont, in the United States.

Opened in 1984, the University of South Florida College of Public Health, offers master's degrees in Public Health (MPH), a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) which is a more academic and research oriented master's degree, and a master's degree in Health Administration (MHA), along with a doctorate (PhD) in Public Health and several dual degrees in collaboration with other colleges- most notably the dual PhD/MPH program in Applied Anthropology. The MHA in Public Health Practice is an innovative program for health professionals which can be attained through weekend executive or distance learning format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webster University Thailand</span>

Webster University Thailand (WUT) is an international campus of Webster University from Webster Groves, Missouri, US. The US-based non-profit university established its international campus in Thailand in 1999 with an undergraduate campus near the resort town of Hua Hin in the district of Cha-am, and additional graduate and undergraduate programs in Bangkok, Thailand. The facility in Thailand is one of several international campuses associated with Webster University. The campus officially closed on December 31, 2021.

The Michigan School of Psychology (MSP), formerly the Michigan School of Professional Psychology and the Center for Humanistic Studies, is a private graduate school in Farmington Hills, Michigan, which specializes in clinical psychology. It offers three programs of study: the Master of Arts (M.A.) in clinical psychology, which is offered in a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time format; the Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree, a full-time, minimum four-year, post-masters program; and a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a two-year certificate that can be completed concurrently with the MA program in clinical psychology.

The MGH Institute of Health Professions is a private university focused on the health sciences and located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded by Massachusetts General Hospital in 1977 and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Learning</span> International nonprofit organization

World Learning is a 501(c)(3) international nonprofit organization that focuses on international development, education, and exchange programs. Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, World Learning "unlocks the potential of people to address critical global issues" through its core program areas: The Experiment in International Living, the School for International Training, and International Development and Exchange Programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CTI Education Group</span>

The CTI Education Group (CTI) was a registered, private higher education institution in South Africa. Full-time and part-time students can study within the fields of Information Technology, Psychology & Counselling, Creative Arts & Graphic Design, Commerce and Law on campuses spread throughout South Africa.

References

  1. ↑ Redden, Elizabeth. (2018, May 25). "An End and a Beginning," Inside Higher Ed . Accessed 25 May 2018.
  2. ↑ SIT Graduate Institute, "TESOL Overview" Accessed: May 16, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Certificate Programs" Accessed: Feb 22, 2017
  4. ↑ "SIT". New England Commission Higher Education. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  5. ↑ SIT Graduate Institute, "Meet Our Faculty". Accessed: 25 May 2018.

42°53′17″N72°33′53″W / 42.888067°N 72.56474°W / 42.888067; -72.56474

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.