International Relations (Certificate)

The Graduate Certificate in International Relations is for students who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in any subject who are interested in developing their understanding of the factors that shape international diplomatic, economic, and security relations. The program emphasizes fluency in scientific research in international relations, and students in the program complete individual, graduate-level research projects through coursework on Marymount campuses and, optionally, through study-abroad offerings arranged through Marymount’s Center for Global Engagement.

The certificate is most useful for young professionals who are:

  • Looking to refresh or deepen their familiarity with concepts and case studies in International Relations before applying for an MA or similar program,
  • Currently working in an International Relations adjacent field and feel that a certificate will help them advance in their current career path, or
  • Pursuing another graduate program at Marymount and seek to broaden their studies by adding an additional certificate.

A hallmark of Marymount’s Graduate Certificate in International Relations is that the program offers students some flexibility in how they meet the requirements while offering students individualized guidance through the program. Prospective students can reach out to Chad Rector, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at with any questions.

Certificate Requirements
12 credits

Students complete the certificate by completing four graduate-level courses in International Relations, to include at least one of the following thematic courses:

  • POL 532 American Foreign Policy
  • POL 540 Global Security
  • POL 541 Global Political Economy
  • POL 550 Foreign Policy Analysis

The remaining courses for the certificate include any of the others above, and the following electives

Any graduate-level course taken during an approved study abroad program in the field of international or comparative politics may count as an elective for the certificate.

  • POL 532 American Foreign Policy
  • POL 540 Global Security
  • POL 541 Global Political Economy
  • POL 550 Foreign Policy Analysis
  • POL 580 Politics of Latin America
  • POL 581 Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa
  • POL 582 Politics of Western Europe
  • POL 583 Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
  • POL 585 Politics of South Asia
  • POL 586 Politics of East Asia
  • FLP 556 Group and Country Profiling: International and Political
  • FLP 570 The Intelligence Community: Theory, Process, and Challenges
  • FLP 574 Contemporary Terrorism and the U.S. Response