Global Studies Certificate

Career Description

The Global Studies Certificate is designed to enable students to meet the demands of a global society. As competition for employment increases employers will be seeking employees that will enhance their organization through global and diverse perspectives. This certificate provides students with a competitive advantage that their peers may not possess. There are many career opportunities for students with Global Studies Emphasis. Students can apply their knowledge and skills in areas of business, education, international associations, non-governmental and governmental organizations, and foreign relations. Finding an entry-level job in a foreign country is increasingly popular because it improves a graduate’s foreign language skill, develops local networking and creates the advantage of international work experience. Students may choose to pursue further education in International Affairs, Global Business, International Law and other programs. Many U.S. government jobs that don’t require specialization or additional education are available with agencies such as the Peace Corps or in the Foreign Services. A number of international nonprofits and Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) offer solid entry-level positions for people without advanced degrees.

Program Information

By completing the Global Studies Certificate, students will develop an awareness of intercultural relations skills, diversity issues, and human rights issues. They will gain an understanding of international ethical issues and America’s own multicultural structure. Students are exposed to the literature, music and art of other cultures and gain knowledge of human and social geography. The program consists of an introductory course in global studies and a capstone project including a travel study option or cultural immersion experience.

Program Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Discuss individual and group human values within both an historical and contemporary dimension;
• Identify and analyze the complex local-global connections between practices, system, ideas and processes in the world;
• Analyze major global challenges and discuss how cultural, economic, ecological, and political differences affect possible solutions;
• Explain the interconnectedness of global decisions and events;
• Explain how/why the environmental well-being of the world demands personal and collective responsibility at both the local and global levels; and
• Explain the concept of a global citizen and the responsibility global citizens share for their common global future.

Special Program Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html