Departments & Programs
International Studies
Certificate in Global Service and Peace Corps Preparation
Purpose
The Certificate in Global Service and Peace Corps Preparation provides a background for careers in Foreign Service, government, business, law, the academic world, and other areas.
Certificate Policies
- The Certificate in Global Service and Peace Corps Preparation requires 25 credit hours. Six of these credit hours (two courses) must also be from courses with a service-learning designation (listed as such in the Office of the Registrar's Schedule of Classes), or other service-learning courses approved by the IUB Global Engagement Advisory Board.
- Students are required to complete the Global Service Capstone course, INTL-I 401, which synthesizes their course of study within the certificate and strengthens their experience and learning outcomes.
- It is recommended that students enroll in the Global Service and Peace Corps Preparation Certificate in their sophomore year; however, students may pursue the certificate in their junior or senior year after consulting with the certificate coordinator.
- International Studies majors earning an INTL certificate may double count one course each in categories 1 and 2. Students with majors outside of International Studies cannot double count courses with any International Studies academic program.
- A grade point average of 2.000 or higher is required in all course work credited toward the certificate.
Required Courses
1. Two International Studies courses (6 cr.) chosen from the following:
- INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment (3 cr.) CASE S&H
- INTL-I 203 Global Development (3 cr.) CASE S&H
- INTL-I 204 Human Rights and International Law (3 cr.) CASE S&H
- INTL-I 205 International Communication and the Arts (3 cr.) CASE S&H
- INTL-I 206 Identity and Conflict (3 cr.) CASE S&H
- INTL-I 210 Diplomacy, Security, Governance (3 cr.) CASE S&H
- INTL-I 220 Global Connections (3 cr.) CASE A&H
2. One 300- or 400-level course in International Studies (3 cr.)
3. Two foreign language courses at the 200 level and above (6 cr.)
4. Three courses (9 cr.) that relate to the certificate's goals from any academic unit, selected from a recommended list of courses in consultation with the certificate coordinator. Two of the three courses must be at the 300–400 level.
5. INTL-I 401 Global Service Capstone (1 cr.) completed via two options:
- Submission of a project that capitalizes on the student's service learning experience in the certificate
- A sequence of workshops (minimum 2) offered each year (documentation provided via a reflection essay)
Recommendation
Students who wish to be prepared for careers in global service and be competitive for the Peace Corps application process should enhance their skills by having experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Additional courses in agriculture, education, business, environmental and health sciences
- Advanced foreign language courses
- Service oriented short-term study abroad program
- Long-term study abroad program
- Participation in applying for nationally competitive fellowships and awards
- Co-curricular community service
- International, government or non-profit internships
- Student leadership experiences
- 100 hours or more in community development and service