Diplomatic Studies, Undergraduate Certificate

Certificate programs mark secondary levels of concentration within the bachelor’s degree. They are strictly optional and are awarded only in conjunction with the undergraduate degree. Certificate programs should be viewed as a means for focusing interests and structuring elective coursework. Interested students should discuss the certificate and its role within the general bachelor’s program with his or her advising dean.  

Students studying at the Georgetown University in Qatar campus in Doha, Qatar, can refer to the Georgetown University in Qatar Bulletin section for Certificate options.

• Certificate in African Studies^*
• Certificate in Arab Studies^*
• Certificate in Asian Studies^*
• Certificate in Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies 
• Certificate in Diplomatic Studies
• Certificate in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies^*
• Certificate in European Studies^*
• Certificate in International Business Diplomacy
• Certificate in South Asian Studies

*

Only certificates marked with an (*) are open to Georgetown College students.

Certificate in Diplomatic Studies

The undergraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies is designed for students whose careers will demand an understanding of the formulation and implementation of foreign policy. It is open to students from all BSFS majors and seeks to build on the BSFS program’s multidisciplinary core curriculum that includes courses on international affairs, government, economics, history, theology and religious studies, philosophy, geography, and foreign languages. Diplomacy is the conduct or practice of foreign policy – its formulation and implementation – by government and inter-governmental organizations in furtherance of their interests. Diplomacy is neither synonymous with foreign policy itself or international relations, nor is it solely the practice of international negotiation or the tradecraft of professional diplomats (e.g. how to deliver a demarche). The certificate is therefore designed to complement the IPOL foreign policy/processes field and to increase the understanding of students from other majors of the practical side of policy creation and execution. 

Students who wish to apply for the Certificate in Diplomatic Studies should visit the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy website for information and application details.

Requirements

• One course in Elements of Statecraft
• One course in Diplomatic History and Contemporary Foreign Policy 
• Four upper-level courses from the approved ISD course list

Candidates must also complete an internship with organizations or institutions whose work directly affects or is directly affected by diplomacy. ISD will consider waivers and exceptions due to extenuating circumstances, but these will be the exception. Candidates are required to submit to ISD a significant research project – directed, individual research on a topic of the student’s choice, with analysis and policy recommendations of at least 20-25 pages in length – dealing with a subject/issue/event of diplomatic significance. This paper will preferably relate back to the student’s internship experience. There are a number of channels by which a student may undertake this research and the paper for certificate credit:

• Any course above the basic survey level taught by a member of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.
• As an ISD student fellow under one of the several research fellowships administered by the Institute.
• A research paper conducted as part of another course within the intent of this certificate (paper topic would require prior ISD approval), including a Diplomacy Lab project.
• A paper produced in a research tutorial, including the newly-approved 3 credit internship course.
• A paper researched and submitted directly to ISD and independent of the above. The paper would not be for course credit but would be for certificate credit.