Program Overview

International Relations Certificate Program

The International Relations Certificate program is designed to provide students with a sophisticated understanding of conflict and cooperation across the globe, political and economic institutions, and dynamics between state and non-state actors.

Program Description

Students in the international relations certificate program develop a comprehensive understanding of international relations, including national security, trade, and globalization. The program prepares students for leadership positions in various disciplines and career fields.

At a Glance

• College/School: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe

Curriculum

The certificate is comprised of 15 credit hours from political science, global studies, and international relations courses. At least 12 credit hours must be in upper-division coursework, and at least six of those credit hours must be from courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. A grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better is required for all courses used toward the certificate.

Foundations for International Relations

• Foundations for International Relations Courses:
  • INR 205 Perspectives on International Relations
  • POS 160 Global Politics (GCSI)
  • SGS 101 Thinking Globally (GCSI)
  • POS 360 World Politics (GCSI)
  • SGS 301 Principles of Global Studies (GCSI)
• Minimum Grade: C
• Credit Hours: 3

Intelligence, Diplomacy, and Security

• Upper Division Intelligence, Diplomacy, and Security Courses:
  • POS 348 Do You Want to Build a Nation? (CIVI)
  • POS 364 National Security, Intelligence, and Terrorism (SOBE)
  • POS 394 Topic: The Politics of Cyberspace
  • POS 394 Topic: Democratic Resilience in the Digital Age
  • POS 466 / SGS 466 Migration, Environment and Global Security
  • POS 467 International Security (GCSI)
  • POS 494 / SGS 494 Topic: Diplomacy/PolicyDesignStudio l
  • SGS 494 Topic: International Criminal Tribunals & Global Security
• Minimum Grade: C
• Credit Hours: 3

International Law, Economy, and Institutions

• Upper Division International Law, Economy, and Institutions Courses:
  • POS 350 Comparative Politics (GCSI)
  • POS 351 Democratization (GCSI)
  • POS 361 American Foreign Policy (SOBE)
  • POS 367 World Politics and Global Inequalities (GCSI)
  • POS 465 International Organization and Law (GCSI)
  • POS 486 International Political Economy (GCSI)
  • SGS 303 Global Trends (GCSI)
  • SGS 321 International Institutions and Global Governance
  • SGS 340 Violence, Conflict and Human Rights (GCSI)
  • SGS 350 Economic Development and Globalization
  • SGS 379 The Resource Curse
• Minimum Grade: C
• Credit Hours: 6

Culture, Politics, and Identity

• Upper Division Culture, Politics, and Identity Courses:
  • POS 300 Contemporary Global Controversies (GCSI)
  • POS 368 Ethics and Human Rights (GCSI)
  • POS 388 Religion, Ethics, and International Politics (CIVI)
  • SGS 360 Cultural Aspects of Globalization
  • SGS 370 Geopolitics (GCSI)
• Minimum Grade: C
• Credit Hours: 3

Enrollment Requirements

• Incompatible Majors: BA and BS in International Relations
• Requests to declare this certificate are reviewed by the academic advisor in the academic unit offering the certificate.
• Students may be contacted to discuss the certificate before it is added to their record.
• A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU.
• Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree.
• A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a non-degree-seeking graduate student.

Career Opportunities

Graduates who have combined the certificate in international relations with their major program of study become more attractive to employers. Graduates are equipped with the skills to identify global trends and address issues facing humanity. They have developed a deeper understanding of international policy while leveraging their critical thinking and communication skills, as well as their cross-cultural competencies. Their sector-spanning analytic skills are useful for careers in many areas, including government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia, and journalism. Graduates pursue careers as foreign service officers, security analysts, and policy analysts, and in other data-driven positions.