Certificates

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 African Studies 

The African Studies certificate requires a total of 6 courses (18 credit hours). Proficiency in a language relevant to the African continent and/or field of study. Students may fulfill the language requirement by completing at least beginner level (one year) in any relevant language plus one year of study of an indigenous African language. Students of all majors are welcome to pursue the certificate. There is an optional senior thesis.

Study abroad in Africa is encouraged, but not required. We offer programs in Tanzania, Kenya, and Ghana. Merit-based/need based fellowships are available to support study abroad on the continent. 

Requirements

  • HIST-1200 or HIST-1201: History of Africa I or II
  • AFSP-2205: Africa is People
  • AFSP-3357: African Politics and Government
  • AFSP-3348: African Studies Capstone Course or AFSP-3349 Senior Thesis Seminar
  • Two approved electives (see African Studies website for list and details)
  •  Language Proficiency, see above

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Certificate in Arab Studies 

Requirements

The certificate in Arab Studies requires:

  • Four semesters of Arabic or successful passage of proficiency exam
  • Six courses (18 credits)
    • ARST-4501: Understanding the Arab World 
    • HIST-1602:Middle East II
    • 4 elective courses (at least one of which must have an ARST prefix)
      • Politics
      • Culture & Society
      • 2 free electives (if Arabic course, must be a 3000 or 4000-level content course)
    • Research paper/capstone (1 credit) – taken during final semester; 25-30 page research paper

Fore more information visit the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies website. 

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Certificate in Asian Studies 

Requirements

The certificate in Asian Studies requires 6 courses (18 credits), a senior thesis, plus language study or equivalent. Candidates for the certificate should achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in the six courses. Coursework should reflect a diverse study of Asia.

Language candidates for the Asian Studies certificate must demonstrate facility in a language indigenous to Asia in one of the following ways:

  • Complete two years (four semesters) of university language coursework with an average of B or better; or
  • Pass the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics placement examination at the level of second year or above; or
  • Pass the School of Foreign Service Oral Proficiency Exam.

Coursework 6 courses are required:

  • Three courses from at least three different disciplines (government, history, sociology, anthropology, economics, political economy, theology and religious studies, humanities, culture)
  • One required seminar capstone course: ASST-4960 Senior Seminar on Asia.
  • Two electives (in any discipline except acquisition-level language)

Thesis candidates must complete a thesis requirement:

  • Candidates are required to take the Senior Seminar on Asia (ASST-4960) during the fall semester of their senior year. Candidates will prepare their thesis in this course.
  • Candidates must receive a B+ or better on their thesis to earn the certificate.

For more information, see the Asian Studies website.

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Certificate in Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies

Candidates for the Certificate in Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies must satisfactorialy complete six (6) one-semester courses devoted substantially to the study of Australia and New Zealand.

Requirements

  • ANZP-3940 Australia/New Zealand Tutorial
  • Five courses from disciplines including history, government, economics, sociology/anthropology, demography, public policy, international affairs, literature, fine art and film arts

For more information and a list of approved courses in the certificate program, see the Center for Australian, New Zealand & Pacific Studies website.

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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. 

Requirements

  • One course in Elements of Statecraft, e.g. development, negotiation, public diplomacy, economic diplomacy (choose one from list below or approved course)
    • GOVT-2600 International Security
    • INAF-3363 Practicing Diplomacy Abroad
    • INAF-3380 Negotiations, Mediation & Political Persuasion
    • IPOL-3360 Introduction to Strategic Thought
    • JUPS-2030 Conflict Transformation
  • 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.

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.

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Certificate in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies

Requirements

The certificate in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies requires seven courses, distributed by the outline below, plus language study or equivalent.

  • LANGUAGE: 4 semesters (minimum) Intensive Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Persian or Turkish Language; or native speaker of these or another language of the region
  • One course in Economics
  • One course in Politics
  • Two courses in History
  • One course in International Politics
  • 1 course in Sociology/Anthropology/Culture
  • Senior Colloquium in Russian and East European Studies (REES-4398), which includes preparation of a substantial research project

For more information, see the Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European (CERES) website.

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Certificate in European Studies 

Requirements

Seven courses plus language study or equivalent

  • Coursework in a major European language (other than English) through the advanced level
  • Two upper-level European History courses
  • One Economics course
  • One Government course
  • One ideological/cultural elective
  • One regional/international elective
  • One European Studies Research colloquium (GEST 4961)

Admission to the certificate program is based on an application which reflects a directed, purposeful selection of courses. The application must be turned in by the end of the sophomore year or during the junior year with permission. No applications will be accepted from students with senior standing.

Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in the Senior Colloquium.

For more information and a list of approved courses in the certificate program, see the BMW Center for German and European Studies website.

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Certificate in International Business Diplomacy

The Landegger Program in International Business Diplomacy is an honors certificate program that offers students the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary course of study that complements their academic interests and degree. We deliver to a select number of honors students a rigorous academic program that emphasizes the role of business in the international arena.

Fulfillment of the Honors Certificate Program requires a minimum of six qualifying courses (18 credits), with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 including:

  • A compulsory course in Accounting and Finance (GBUS 4400 or equivalent).
  • A compulsory course in Data Science (GBUS 4401). Students must complete one course in statistics prior to enrolling in GBUS 4401.
  • One elective course chosen from the list of IBD “foundational courses”.
  • Three additional elective courses. Students are encouraged to focus their remaining three or more courses on a specific professional concentration. Each student’s broader degree program provides other complementary courses in economics, politics, history and cross-cultural understanding.

Students must also pass a proficiency exam in at least one language.

Admission to the IBD program is through an application process that is open each semester. For more information on this certificate, please visit the Landegger Program website.

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Certificate in South Asian Studies

To earn the certificate in South Asian Studies, undergraduate students must complete the following requirements.

  • Language: Candidates for the Asian Studies Certificate must demonstrate facility in a language indigenous to South Asia in one of the following ways:
    • Complete two years (four semesters) of university level courses for credit with a B average
    • Pass the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics placement examination at the level of second year or above
    • Pass the School of Foreign Service Oral Proficiency Examination with a grade of “fair” or above.
    • The School of Foreign Service currently offers proficiency examinations in Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. Additional languages may be tested through third-party services. Please email Robert Lyons, for more information.
  • Coursework: Six courses (18 credits) are required.
    • Three courses must be taken from at least three different disciplines such as history, government, economics, sociology, anthropology, or humanities.
    • Senior Seminar (ASST 4960) Senior Research Seminar in Asian Studies
    • Two electives (any discipline except language)
    • 3.0 GPA cumulative for 6 courses
    • Coursework should reflect a diverse study of South Asia.
  • Thesis
    • Candidates must complete the Senior Seminar (ASST 4960) during their senior year. Candidates will prepare their thesis in this course.

For more information and a list of approved courses in the certificate program, see the South Asian Studies website.

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