University of Pittsburgh

UNDERGRADUATE
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University Center For International Studies

 

 

The University Center for International Studies (UCIS) is the central coordinating and support mechanism for the international activities of the University of Pittsburgh. As a University-wide center, UCIS supports multidisciplinary programs of research and instruction in international and area studies, linking departments and schools of the University. It connects the University and private and public sector institutions, other universities, and institutions in other countries to strengthen the University’s international dimension of teaching, research, and public service. UCIS aids students in their acquisition of international knowledge through certificate programs, study abroad programs, curriculum development, and seminars; assists faculty in their international research, teaching, and service; and develops and manages international programs and projects.

The center offers certificate programs in African, Asian, European Union, Latin American, Russian and East European, West European, and Global studies. Four of the UCIS areas of studies programs (Asian, Latin American, Russian and East European, and European) have been designated by the federal government as National Resource Centers.

UCIS certificates evidence language proficiency and regional knowledge that students find useful for international careers or for advanced degrees with a concentration in a particular world area or global theme.

Contact Information

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
4400 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7390
Fax: 412-648-4672
ucis@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu

Admission Requirements

Formal admission to the UCIS certificate programs is accomplished by completing a simple application form. Interested students are encouraged to apply in their freshman or sophomore year. There are no special requirements for admission. All undergraduate certificate programs in UCIS (with the exception of the certificate programs in global studies and Latin American studies described below) require 15 credits/five courses in the applicable area, with three or more courses in at least two departments other than the major. Language requirements vary from two to six terms.

Certificate courses can be used simultaneously to fulfill the student’s general education and international/foreign culture requirements. Grades generally must be C or better to be accepted for the certificate program. Upon graduation, both the academic degree and the certificate are posted on the student’s transcript.

Advising

All UCIS certificate programs provide advising services to students interested or registered in its programs in addition to those routinely offered by the students’ major advisors. Center advisors assist in selecting courses, language training, and arranging internships or study abroad to fit the students’ academic and personal interests. See the program descriptions below for contact information.

Special Academic Opportunities

In addition to the regular certificate programs, UCIS offers the following special academic opportunities:

Asian Studies Scholarships and Fellowships

Students enrolled in the Asian studies certificate program are eligible for a variety of fellowships and scholarships, including the Chinese Summer Language Study Abroad Scholarships, the Japanese Studies Undergraduate Scholarship, the Study-in-Japan Scholarship, and the Japanese Summer Language Study Scholarship. In addition, a new undergraduate scholarship program for students studying Chinese and Japanese language has recently been initiated for study abroad in an approved program.

Latin American Studies Undergraduate
Seminar/Field Trip

The Undergraduate Seminar/Field Trip is a unique component of the Latin American studies undergraduate certificate program. The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) firmly believes that all undergraduates should have the opportunity to experience Latin American culture firsthand. This objective is met through an annual field trip to a selected Latin American country for which about 12 students are chosen each year. CLAS subsidizes the cost of this trip via scholarships to place it within the means of virtually all students. Student participants register for a seminar in the spring term (January–April) that prepares them for the field trip through study of the culture, economics, geography, history, and politics of the area to be visited. Students also are introduced to research methodology and are guided through the development of a project which forms the basis for research they conduct while in the field. In the summer session (mid-May–late June), the students travel to Latin America, where they reside with host families and undertake their research projects under the direction of a CLAS faculty member. (In past years, groups have gone to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.)

Russian and East European Studies Summer Study Abroad and Internship Awards

The Center for Russian and East European Studies (REES) believes that study or work abroad is a key component of its certificate program. In an effort to encourage students to travel to the region, REES offers several scholarships each summer to students enrolled in the certificate program. In addition, REES offers several awards to its students annually to fund paid internships in Pittsburgh during the academic year in the field of Russian and East European studies.

West European Studies Friedl E. Kessler Memorial Fellowship

To help defray the costs of studying abroad, the European Studies Center offers the Kessler Fellowship for study or research in Germany. This competitive award is offered every year in the amount of $1,000. Any student pursuing the Certificate in West European Studies who studies German and has at least a 3.0 GPA is eligible to apply.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

AFRICAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
African Studies Program
Macrina Lelei, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director
4137 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-2058
Fax: 412-648-7214
africast@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/africa

Students seeking an undergraduate degree at any school within the University may pursue an undergraduate certificate in African studies. Requirements are:

  • Five courses: must include one required core course (either AFRCNA 0127 Introduction to Africa or AFRCNA 0586 African Civilization and Culture) and four courses selected from those on the course list that contain at least 25% African content
  • Language proficiency: one year of study (two terms) of an indigenous African language (Swahili, Xhosa, Arabic) or proficiency in a European language relevant to African studies as a consequence of Africa’s historical experience, e.g., French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

ASIAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Asian Studies Center
Dianne F. Dakis, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director for Student Affairs
4109 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: 412-648-7367
Fax: 412-624-4665
dakis@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/academics/ug-certificate.html

The Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh is widely recognized as being among the best and most comprehensive in the country in research, public service, and teaching about East Asia. The center’s mandate is to promote an enhanced understanding of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands through exceptional undergraduate and graduate academic programs, strong interdisciplinary faculty development, and energetic community outreach. ASC has nationally recognized programs in Chinese and Japanese language and culture studies, with growing strengths in Indian and Korean studies. Its affiliated faculty spans the disciplines. Typically more than 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students enroll each year in Asia-related courses. Undergraduate students from any field or school interested in Asia can supplement and strengthen their major field of study by enrolling in the Asian Studies certificate program.

Certificate Requirements

  • Four courses (12 cr.) on Asia in at least two departments outside the major.
  • One course (3 cr.) on Asia in the major department. If the major department does not have options for an Asian focus (e.g., chemistry, English), the student must take an additional Asia-related course in a third department.
  • Two years (four terms) of Asian language study at the college level or equivalent proficiency.
  • If students have taken Asian Studies courses at another college or university, they may request that two of the courses be credited toward the certificate in Asian Studies at Pitt. The grade for these courses must be a B or higher. Acceptance of the transfer courses is not automatic; each case will be individually reviewed. Grades for courses taken at Pitt must be at least a C, or the course will not be accepted for the certificate program.
  • Submission prior to graduation of a portfolio which will contain documentation of the student’s research and activity related to Asian Studies. The certificate advisor will work with each student to determine the appropriate types and minimum number of items to be included in a student’s portfolio.

Financial Assistance

Asian Studies Certificate students may be eligible for a variety of scholarships and study abroad awards. For information, visit www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/financial_aid/ug-scholarships.html

EUROPEAN UNION STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
European Union Center of Excellence/European Studies Center
Stephen Lund, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director
4216 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Phone: 412-648-7422
Fax: 412-648-2199
slund@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/euce

The European Union (EU) Studies Certificate provides an introduction to the history of European integration, working knowledge of the EU’s laws and administrative bodies, economics and the Euro Area, and (depending on the classes chosen) an overview of specific policy areas (defense and security, immigration, economic, international relations, etc.). The certificate is set up to provide a multidisciplinary and cross-regional (east-west) perspective, and it’s perfect preparation for students who want to pursue careers in both public and private international organizations and to continue the study of Europe and the EU at the graduate level. 

The University of Pittsburgh is an internationally recognized center for European Union studies.  Selected in 1998, the university is one of 10 European Union Centers of Excellence in the United States (as chosen by the EU itself).  As such, this certificate has a high visibility that will assist students as they apply to competitive graduate programs in a number of disciplines and to corporations and organizations that interact with the European Union.

 Certificate requirements have three components:  1) language proficiency, 2) EU studies courses and 3) co-curricular activities/study abroad. 

  1. Two years (or equivalent) of any foreign language spoken in the EU is required.

    2. Six EU Studies courses (18 credits) are required. These will include:

    • One course on the historical foundation of the EU (see approved course list)
    • PS 1317 Politics of the EU
    • European Union Studies Capstone Seminar
    • Three courses on the EU or with significant EU content (see approved course list)

Approved courses are posted online at http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/euce/node/142.

     3. The Co-curricular Activities Requirement can be met by studying abroad    in  Europe or participating in a center event such as the Model EU or the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

 

 In addition to the certificate itself, the European Studies Center/European Union Center of Excellence also offers its students a number of valuable resources, including scholarships for study abroad, directed research opportunities, research assistance, and a full calendar of events and visits from politicians and practitioners from across Europe.

 

GLOBAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Global Studies Program
Elaine Linn, Assistant Director and Student Advisor
4100 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-2918
Fax: 412-624-4672
global@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/global

Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in any school within the University may seek an undergraduate certificate in global studies. With the certificate advisor, students design a coherent plan of study that includes:

  • ARTSC 0150 Introduction to Global Studies, two courses in one regional concentration, and three courses in one of our six global concentrations (Sustainable Development; Global Economy and Global Governance; Identities; Communications, Technology and Society; Conflict/Conflict Resolution; and Global Health), for a total of 18 credits.
  • Language proficiency: two years (four terms) of college-level language appropriate to the regional concentration selected. Equivalent proficiency in the language may be proven through examination.
  • A Global Studies Capstone research paper.

The University Honors College in collaboration with the Global Studies Program offers a Bachelor of Philosophy in International and Area Studies, Global Studies Track. This interdisciplinary research-based degree integrates the study of transnational global trends with regional specialization including second language proficiency and study abroad. Students complete between 33 credits and 55 credits of study and complete and defend an honor thesis. Note: The International and Area Studies major must be combined with a second disciplinary major for the degree to be awarded. The degree will be awarded through the undergraduate school associated with the second disciplinary major.

LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES
RELATED CONCENTRATION AND CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Center for Latin American Studies
Julian Asenjo, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director for Academic Affairs
4207 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7396
Fax: 412-648-2199
juasenjo@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas
Related Concentration

Students may begin their work on Latin America through the related concentration in Latin American studies. Requirements are:

  • Five Latin American area studies courses: one course in the student’s major and four courses in at least two departments other than the major (for a total of 15 credits) and
  • Language proficiency: two years (four terms) of college-level Spanish or Portuguese or the equivalent. Equivalent proficiency in the language may be proven through examination.

Students who complete these requirements receive a notation on their transcript that they have earned a related concentration in Latin American studies.

Certificate in Latin American Studies requires:
  • Language proficiency: six terms of college-level Spanish or Portuguese, or equivalent competency
  • Seven Latin American Courses: two courses in your major* and five in at least two other departments (21 credits)
  • Any study-abroad program in Latin America that lasts at least six weeks in which academic credit is given for the courses.

For example, the CLAS Seminar/Field Trip meets this requirement: spring term seminar (ARTSC 1501: 3 credits) and 6 week field trip to Latin America (ARTSC 1502: 6 credits)

Students majoring in departments in which no Latin American courses are offered can complete the related concentration or certificate by substituting the major course with a Latin American course in any department.

Latin American Studies Undergraduate Seminar/Field Trip

The Undergraduate Seminar/Field Trip is a unique component of the Latin American studies undergraduate certificate program. The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) firmly believes that all undergraduates should have the opportunity to experience Latin American culture firsthand. This objective is met through an annual field trip to a selected Latin American country for which about 12 students are chosen each year. CLAS subsidizes the cost of this trip via scholarships to place it within the means of most students. Student participants register for a seminar in the spring term (January-April) that prepares them for the field trip through study of the culture, economics, geography, history, and politics of the area to be visited. Students also are introduced to research methodology and are guided through the development of a project which forms the basis for research they conduct while in the field. In the summer (mid-May - late June), the students travel to Latin America, where they reside with host families and undertake their field projects under the direction of a CLAS faculty member. (In past years, groups have gone to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.)

RUSSIAN AND EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
Center for Russian and East European Studies
Susan Hicks, Undergraduate Advisor
4415 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7418
Fax: 412-648-7002
smhst57@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/crees

The Russian and East European Studies Certificate combines second language training and multidisciplinary area studies courses. Requirements are:

  • Five Russian and East European area studies courses: up to two courses in the student’s major with the remaining courses in at least two departments other than the major (15 credits),
  • Language proficiency: two years of college-level study in Russian or a language of the former Soviet Union or East/Central Europe or demonstration of equivalent proficiency,
  • Capstone project: at least 10 double-spaced pages on a topic related to the REES world area (required only for students who enroll in REES Certificate program in Fall 2011 or later) and
  • Maintenance of a 3.00 GPA in courses taken toward the completion of the certificate.

Students who major in departments not offering REES courses, e.g. the natural or physical sciences, are required to take five area studies courses (15 credits) in three departments.

WEST EUROPEAN STUDIES CERTIFICATE

University of Pittsburgh
University Center for International Studies
European Studies Center
Stephen Lund, Undergraduate Advisor and Assistant Director
4216 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-3503
Fax: 412-648-7422
slund@pitt.edu
www.ucis.pitt.edu/euce

The West European Studies Certificate is designed to allow students to complement a major in any discipline (including the sciences) with an interdisciplinary set of courses related to Western Europe and the European Union and proficiency in a relevant language. Requirements are

  • Five West European area studies courses: one course in the student’s major (if possible) and four courses in at least two departments outside the student’s major department. Of these courses, one must be on contemporary Western Europe, and two must be at the 1000 level.
  • Students are encouraged to choose classes that are thematically related. Examples of themes are Contemporary European History and Politics, European Humanities, Multiculturalism and Identity, and country specific themes such as German Studies, French Studies, etc.  
  • Language proficiency: two courses beyond the fourth-semester level in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Students may also complete the requirement with two years of one language and one year of another, provided one of the languages is a "less commonly taught" language offered through the Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) Center. Current LCTL languages include Irish Gaelic, Modern Greek, and Swedish.
  • Study abroad in Western Europe is required. Exceptions will be considered for students with financial need or other extenuating circumstances.