College Schools, 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
  1. The Certificate in Global Service and Peace Corps Preparation requires 25 credit hours. Three of these credit hours (one course) 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 experiential-learning course approved by the IUB Global Engagement Advisory Board.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. A grade point average of 2.000 or higher is required in all coursework credited toward the certificate.
Requirements
  1. One International Studies course (3 cr.) chosen from the following:
    • INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 203 Global Development (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 204 Human Rights and International Law (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 205 Culture and Politics (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 206 Peace and Conflict (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 210 Diplomacy, Security, Governance (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 220 Global Connections (3 cr.) 
    • INTL-I 222 Global Health Connections (3 cr.)
  2. One course (3 cr.) chosen from the following list:
    • AFRI-L 231 African Civilization (3 cr.)
    • AFRI-L 232 Contemporary Africa (3 cr.)
    • CEUS-R 290 Introduction to Central Asia, Mongolia, and Tibet (3 cr.)
    • CEUS-R 292 Introduction to Turkic and Iranian Civilization (3 cr.)
    • EALC-E 110 Popular Culture in East Asia (3 cr.)
    • EALC-E 111 War and Violence in East Asia (3 cr.)
    • EALC-E 190 The Rise of China: Challenges and Opportunities for East Asia (3 cr.)
    • INST-I 100 Introduction to India (3 cr.)
    • LTAM-L 210 The Latin American Experience (3 cr.)
    • SEAS-S 231 Growing up in Southeast Asia (3 cr.)
  3. One 300- or 400-level course in International Studies (3 cr.)
  4. Two foreign language courses at the 200 level and above (6 cr.)
  5. SGIS-X 373 Internship in Global and International Studies (3 cr.) International experience must be related to one of the designated Peace Corps Prep work sectors.
  6. Two courses (6 cr.) that relate to the certificate's goals /Peace Corps Prep work sectors from any academic unit, selected from a suggested list of courses in consultation with the certificate coordinator. One of the two courses must be at the 300–400 level.
  7. 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)

In fulfilling the above requirements, students must also meet all other College requirements for certificates.

Recommendations

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