University of North Carolina Center for Global Initiatives

This Certificate is available to all UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students and may be awarded at either the masters or doctoral level. The Certificate is issued to students upon meeting all requirements and is noted on their official transcript.

The goals of this Certificate are for students to:

• Step outside of the U.S. perspective when focusing on development; research and coursework must therefore have significant international content;
• Foster interdisciplinary approaches to development;
• Engage in peer learning, especially through the Spring workshop.

Requirements

1. Enroll in four graduate courses on a topic related to international development and social change. At least two of these courses must be external to the student's home department or school and at least one should come from the list of core courses. ***Please note that due to the changing nature of this field, this list is not always up-to-date, so you may discuss other class options with your steering committee member.
2. Participate in a bi-weekly workshop organized each spring by the Center for Global Initiatives. This workshop is guided by the interests of enrolled students who suggest readings for discussion and present their own work. There is no grade or credit associated with this workshop. To enroll, submit an application form to the Center for Global Initiatives prior to the beginning of the spring workshop.
3. Submit to the Center for Global Initiatives a written piece of work (masters thesis, dissertation, or major seminar paper) on a topic related to international development and social change. This piece can be work you have already written for other purposes; in other words, you do not need to write a separate work to earn the certificate.  This work may be selected for posting as part of our online Carolina Papers series.
4. Demonstrate relevant language skills, international experience, or technical training.

Process

1. Design and execute a plan for meeting the course requirement in consultation with a relevant member of the Faculty Steering Committee. The course plan must demonstrate thematic integrity and intellectual coherence. Independent Study and language courses do not count toward the Certificate. Students can consult the list of suggested courses to help design their plan.
2. Complete the application form and submit it to the Center for Global Initiatives prior to the beginning of the spring workshop.
3. Submit the written work (masters thesis, dissertation, or major seminar paper) to the Center for Global Initiatives upon its completion, which may be upon completing the workshop or later in your academic training.

For more information, contact:
Niklaus Steiner
Director, Center for Global Initiatives