The Russian Area Studies Program is an integrated course of study designed to provide full-time, degree-candidate students at Saint Anselm College with a comprehensive understanding of the life and culture of the Russian area. Interlocking relationships in Russian area political power, philosophical thought, social planning, and religious and cultural institutions form the basis for the Russian Area Studies Program. While not in itself a major program of studies, it will satisfy, in many cases, an interest in a single specialty begun in the student's major field.

The requirements of the Certificate in Russian Area Studies Program are:

1. A declaration of intent to participate in the program should be presented by the student no later than the beginning of the senior year.
2. At least four courses in the Russian-Soviet field in three different disciplines including: Language, Literature, History, Politics, Philosophy, Humanities, and Geography.
3. Courses which may be taken for this program include: Marxist Philosophy, History of Russia, Russian Literature, Russian Language, Russian Area Politics, Political Geography, European Socialism, International Business Management, Comparative Cultures: America and Russia, a study trip to the Russian area including an independent-study course in a related area.
4. A minimum grade point average of "C" (2.0) in the courses taken for the certificate. A comprehensive oral examination in which the student demonstrates knowledge of the content of courses selected. The student is also expected to demonstrate a knowledge of Marxist philosophy, Russian history, and government even though courses in these areas may not have been taken.