European Studies (Graduate Certificate)

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Offered by the School of International Service , a European studies certificate provides an opportunity for students to coordinate their courses around themes or regional expertise related to Europe. The certificate builds on American University’s faculty members engaged in research and teaching on Eastern and Western Europe across all schools and departments, and AU Abroad programs in Europe, as well as other courses and programs offered overseas supervised by AU faculty. This certificate is open to students in all majors and disciplines. Offering a wide range of academic and professional courses on the region, the certificate is designed so that students can demonstrate substantive knowledge about specific aspects of European culture, history, politics, economics and society, as well as language competency, and complete an experiential learning experience such as an internship or study abroad that directly relates to Europe.

Admission to the Program

Open only to students in an SIS master’s degree program. Applicants must submit their official transcripts along with a one page statement of purpose.

Non-native English speakers are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they hold a degree from a U.S.-accredited institution before enrollment at SIS. The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions consideration is 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or 600 on the paper-based test (PBT). The minimum IELTS score is 7.0.

Certificate Requirements

18 credit hours of approved coursework with at least 9 credit hours at the 600-level or above with grades of B or better. Grades of C- or D in certificate program courses are not accepted toward the fulfillment of certificate requirements, although these grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in certificate courses in order to be awarded a certificate. Students in certificate programs must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each 12-month period and complete the certificate in four years. International students must enroll in 9 credit hours each semester (except for summer). A maximum of 3 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university may be applied toward the certificate as transfer credit.
Proficiency in a modern foreign language: Research competence in English and another language relevant to the student’s career objectives must be certified.
Study abroad or approved internship with a European focus
Capstone: successful completion of a 3 credit-hour European studies research project conducted under the supervision of a faculty member associated with the European studies certificate program. A Substantial Research Paper (SRP) or graduate independent study may be used to fulfill this requirement.

Course Requirements

18 credit hours of approved European studies related graduate coursework including study abroad or approved internship with a European focus, and a 3 credit hour capstone. Students should take at least one course outside of their main area, discipline, or field.