International Student Perceptions of an American Educational Leadership Program: A Look at Students Residing in Qatar and Their Quest to Receive an Advanced Degree from an American University

Abstract

Transnational Higher Education has become more prevalent and an option that many international students seek.  International students choose online education through United States universities for a plethora of reasons including the perceived high quality of US universities, the flexible modality of online education, and the associated reduced costs.  This study seeks to examine the perceptions and experiences of international students residing in Qatar as they progress through a United States university’s online (hybrid of synchronous and asynchronous) master’s degree principal preparation program in Educational Leadership. This phenomenological qualitative study surveys international student candidates at the completion of the program to ascertain their experiences of receiving an advanced degree from a university in the United States.  The candidates represent a variety of countries, yet work as teachers in various types of schools in Qatar.  This study should add to the growing research of transnational education and help to provide a better understanding of international student insights.