Global Studies Certificate

Coordinator, Deb Kim

This certificate is available to all undergraduate students through Global Programs and Studies.

The Global Studies Certificate provides a structured framework of courses and experiences that serve to bring an intentional international focus to a Wheaton education. The program builds a cohesive and substantive body of knowledge, skill, and experience foundational to engage an increasingly interconnected world where transnational processes present both opportunities and challenges to the flourishing of all peoples and the environment within both global and local contexts. The certificate also prepares a student to be an active participant in the global church and to represent Christ graciously and sensitively across cultural and religious boundaries. Specifically, the program is designed to develop knowledge about a range of global issues and processes, build intercultural competencies and cultural humility, enhance language learning, and increase vocational reflection. Its flexible design allows a student to integrate the required coursework and experiences into the major field of study and vocational interests while maintaining an interdisciplinary focus.

To earn the Global Studies Certificate, students must complete requirements in Categories A through D. Students who wish to pursue the certificate should meet with the coordinator during the freshman or sophomore year to maximize the integration of coursework, language study, and immersive experiences in collaboration with their major advisor.

The required categories of coursework and experiences to receive a Global Studies Certificate are:  

A.  Language Study: Sixteen (16) credits of college-level study in the same language or the equivalent; 4 credits from AP or IB-HL may be counted toward the 16 and may include language courses taken during study abroad. The language can be one offered at Wheaton, at another institution, or on a study abroad program. If the language is not offered at Wheaton, students must be able to complete the equivalent of 4 semesters of formal instruction. This requirement may also be met through two semesters of the same classical language paired with two semesters of its modern form, e.g., two semesters of Biblical Hebrew plus two semesters of modern Hebrew or two semesters of Latin paired with 2 semesters of a modern, romance language.

B.  Coursework:

Complete at least one course (equivalent to 3 or 4 credits each) taken at any college-level in each of the four thematic areas below with an emphasis on contemporary issues and cultures. (A course in one category may not be double counted for another.) These courses may be taken on-campus, during the semester abroad, or during the summer experience. At least two of these courses should be outside of the major. Courses taken on a non-Wheaton semester or summer abroad program may count toward thematic areas 1-4 with approval of the certificate coordinator.  

C.  International Immersion Experiences:   

1. At least one must be a full-time, semester-long program (12-18 credits) on a Wheaton-run or approved program with a significant immersive component. To be considered immersive, at least two courses should be taught in the language studied in category (A), and involve a homestay or other living arrangements that are not primarily with other international students for at least half of the duration of the program.  If the program is in a predominately English-speaking country (U.K, Ireland, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand) at least two of the courses should be in area studies related to the region and involve a homestay or lodging with local students for at least half of the duration of the program.
2. GPS 296 Pre-Professional International Experience - One 8-10 week immersive, international pre-professional work experience such as research, internship, student teaching, ministry, or service is required.  The preprofessional requirement will typically be completed during a summer.  The experience may be credit or non-credit bearing.

• Ideally, both experiences take place in a country where the language under study is spoken and reflects the area studies focus.
• If a semester-long internship (at least 240 hours), research, student teaching, service, or ministry opportunity is completed during the semester abroad, the summer experience may be fulfilled through an immersive summer study abroad program.  If the summer program is less than 8-10 weeks, additional pre-approved immersive experience in the same location (or country) may be added to fulfill the time requirement.
• Whenever possible, the supervised, pre-professional experience should be linked to the major or minor.
• In selecting coursework, students are encouraged to apply one or more courses taken during either the international experience to categories (A) and/or (B).
• For those whose study abroad program is connected to a university, consider opportunities to remain through the summer at the same institution.
• The six-month HNGR internship fulfills both immersive experiences.

D.  Vocational Integration:

1. Complete the CVC curriculum for international/cross-cultural pre-professional experiences.
2. During the senior year, meet at least once with the CVC staff after the pre-professional experience to articulate the significance of the certificate’s coursework and experience to prospective employers or graduate programs.