Current political, economic, and social trends indicate that the world is changing from a system of predominantly self-contained nation states towards a globally integrated community with multiple independent actors, including regional custom unions, economic communities, transnational enterprises, and individuals.

Those wishing to compete successfully in the global society must understand the new complexities of the international environment. The certificate program in International Studies is designed to introduce students to some of the more salient aspects of international phenomena, and thus to help in preparing them for a responsible role in the world.

The requirements of the program are:

1. The certificate program is available to full-time, degree-candidate students who have a cumulative grade point average of 2.33 or higher.
2. To qualify for the certificate, students must demonstrate proficiency in a modern foreign language.
3. The program requires completion of five specific international courses including two from the Politics Department, two from the History Department (of which one must be a geography course), and one from the Economics and Business Department.
4. By the end of the second semester of the sophomore year, students must declare to the chairperson of the certificate program their intention to work towards the certificate.
5. Comprehensive examinations, both written and oral, are required, with questions being tailored to the student's focus in the program. These exams will have a language component for students who do not have a language certificate or who are not modern language majors.
6. To obtain the certificate, students must have achieved at least a C+ (2.33) average in the certificate courses and in the comprehensive examinations.