Global Studies Certificate

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University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Global Studies Center
Elaine Linn, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs
4102 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-2113
eel58@pitt.edu
http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/global/

Global Studies is an exciting - and evolving - interdisciplinary field. It is concerned with transnational structures, processes, and interactions, and how these affect social, economic, cultural, political, and ecological environments. Scholars of Global Studies understand and analyze how these structures, processes, and interactions both connect people and places and disrupt established norms, communities, institutions, and relationships. That is, they think globally about these processes.

Within the Global Studies Certificate, graduate students from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences can tailor a unique plan of interdisciplinary study within their field of interest drawn from more than 200 courses across 6 global concentrations. The certificate allows students to adopt a transnational lens that can inform their research projects, and to conduct research in one of 35 languages offered at Pitt.

Global Concentrations: To complete the certificate, student choose one of six global concentration/themes:

Changing Identities in a Global World
Communication, Technology and Society
Conflict and Conflict Resolution o Global Economy and Global Governance
Global Health
Sustainable Development

In addition to the certificate, the Global Studies Center offer numerous complementary programs and opportunities that support students’ intellectual and personal development: research skills, career exploration and career readiness, experiential education and civic engagement, and a critical understanding of current events. The center offers travel grants, Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarships (FLAS) in six less commonly taught languages, and student ambassador positions.

Certificate Requirements

Six Global Thematic Courses (18 credits): After students select a global concentration, they choose from a comprehensive and dynamic list of courses ensuring three disciplines are represented to provide an interdisciplinary perspective on their chosen global concentration.

Language Proficiency: Building on Pitt’s vast offering of over 30 languages, a minimum of three years of college-level study (six semesters) in a foreign language is required. Students can fulfill this requirement by passing a proficiency exam at the Intermediate mid proficiency level.

Global Studies Capstone Research Paper: This research paper is the culmination of a student’s learning experience related to their global concentration. It demonstrates analytical skills within a transnational context. It must be written as part of a course and graded by a faculty member.

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