With the United Nations (U.N.) poised to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, it is confronting global challenges with a renewed vigor. From climate change to the Sustainable Development Goals, the U.N. is a vital arena for international diplomacy. A better understanding of the United Nations and how it works tells us about the promise and limits of international cooperation. This knowledge is valuable to a wide range of students and professionals, including members of the United Nations Association of the USA and supporters of the United Nations Foundation, United Nations personnel, diplomats assigned to Permanent Missions to the U.N., civil servants and staff of international organizations, educators affiliated with model United Nations programs and more.
The U.N. Studies Graduate Certificate Program is designed for professionals and recent bachelor’s degree graduates who seek to explore a career or develop additional skills without committing to a master’s degree, as well as matriculated graduate students who wish to secure an additional credential. Students who enroll in the certificate program will gain a better understanding of how the policy community both utilizes and proposes to reform the U.N. In-depth knowledge about U.N. operations in a specific functional area will be developed through the selection of an elective course of interest. Certificate graduates will benefit from dialogue with practitioners in the field on current U.N. agenda issues, and from an emphasis on strengthening their skills in both policy and op-ed writing, which can be applied to careers in non- profit/non-governmental organizations, education, government and private agencies.
The certificate can be completed in one year or less and will be awarded to students who complete four required courses and one elective, for a total of 15 credits in United Nations Studies. Students admitted to this program may elect to apply their coursework towards an M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations provided they meet the M.A. admission requirements.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| 9 |
| UN: Insider's View | |
| UN Security Council Issues | |
| Politics at the United Nations: Relevance and Reform | |
| United Nations Field Seminar | |
| 6 |
| International Organizations | |
| Peacemaking and Peacekeeping | |
| Public International Law | |
| HR Mgmt in International Org | |
| International Environmental Policy | |
| International Financial Institutions | |
| International Human Rights | |
| Global Health Governance | |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Application requirements for the Graduate Certificate in United Nations Studies include a completed application form, a 400-500 word statement of purpose, official transcripts from undergraduate degree, a resume, two letters of recommendation, and English language proficiency.
