2014-2015 University Catalog

This Certification is intended for undergraduate students in various disciplines across TAMIU who are interested in pursuing careers in the foreign service, international institutions, non-governmental international organizations, and multinational corporations as well as those who recognize the importance of understanding international issues to virtually any career field. The undergraduate Certificate in International Studies allows students to enhance their degree program with a concentration in international studies. Completion of the requirements is certified by the Binational Center for Research, Education, Leadership, and Public Service (BINC) and the Office of the Registrar.

Internationalization is a process which focuses on the social, legal, economic, political, and technological aspects of countries other than the United States. It often involves working with people from several disciplines to define a common goal. No single discipline can provide a thorough understanding of the globalization process. Rather, students must be exposed to several disciplines to obtain the holistic perspective required to analyze its complexity.

The Certificate in International Studies integrates a wide variety of junior and senior level courses and encourages a multidisciplinary approach. The student declares a major in an established academic department and then focuses in international studies as laid out in this certification. The Certification in International Studies meets the needs of the students and proves useful both in terms of career opportunities and contribution to international issues.

Criteria for Admission and Qualification
The student must:

· have completed 60 or more semester credit hours of coursework
· be accepted in an established academic program at TAMIU
· submit an application for the CIS program to the Binational Center

Criteria for Earning the Certificate in International Studies
The student must:

· successfully complete a minimum of four courses herein listed as Approved Courses
· attain at least a 2.75 GPA in the selected courses with no less than a C in any course
· participate in a focus group scheduled by the Binational Center after completion of required CIS courses

Each 3-credit course has been selected based on its global context and relevancy for fostering cross-national understanding. It is not an exclusive list. Other courses such as an international capstone seminar or those taken under a study abroad experience may be accepted as alternatives to the ones listed below, subject to the approval of the International Programs Advisor.

Students interested in pursuing the Certificate in International Studies should register with the BNC and meet with its faculty advisor. Students must complete the appropriate form with the BNC as soon as possible, but no less than one semester before completion of their degree. The BNC and the Office of the Registrar will provide, at graduation, the documentation certifying the completion of the certification.