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Foreign Service Training Certificate

Program Overview

The Department of Political Science offers a certificate in foreign service training. This interdisciplinary program introduces underrepresented minorities to future careers in the American Foreign Service.  The program was developed with the assistance of former ambassadors and foreign service personnel living in the Research Triangle region, and many of these leaders are actively engaged in teaching students.

 

Political Science Student

This interdisciplinary program introduces underrepresented minorities to future careers in the American Foreign Service. The program was developed with the assistance of former ambassadors and foreign service personnel living in the Research Triangle region.  Many of these leaders are actively engaged in teaching students.

This certificate program addresses the five critical goals for the NCCU Academic Strategic Plan for 2016–2021:

  1. Enhance teaching, research and scholarship among faculty;
  2. Create an environment of collaborative learning and cross-disciplinary programming;
  3. Develop innovative, versatile and culturally responsive leaders;
  4. Create an inclusive environment that promotes an understanding of diverse perspectives, respect for individuality and community and the practice of cultural competence, and
  5. Promote a community-engaged campus that supports social responsibility and economic development.

This certificate program is housed in the NCCU Department of Political Science but is open to all students, regardless of major.  The program consists of 12 credit hours and is supported by a new foundation course: POLS 3339, Foreign Service Seminar.  A 12-hour curriculum is proposed so that more students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs may be able to attain the certificate without significantly exceeding the number of hours accrued towards graduation.   

The Curricular Requirements

POLS 3339 – Foreign Service Seminar

Choose one of the following (3 hours):

  • POLS 3730 – Global Security
  • POLS 3740 – Transnational Human Security
  • HLS 3000 – Introduction to Homeland Security
  • POLS 4400 – Problems of Contemporary Governments

Choose one of the following (3 hours):

POLS 4310 – International Law and Organization

POLS 3600 – American Foreign Policy

HIST 4210 – Foreign Relations of the United States

POLS 4102 - Foreign Service Field Experience (new course)

How to Apply

Regardless of major, all students are welcome to enroll in this certificate program, which is based in the political science department at NCCU. The curriculum has 12 credit hours and is complemented by POLS 3339, Foreign Service Seminar, a new foundation course. A 12-hour curriculum is suggested so that more STEM students can complete the certificate without considerably going over the required number of hours for graduation.

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