Advance Your Global Expertise with Flexible Graduate Certificates
The University of Illinois offers four Foundations of Global Studies transcriptable graduate certificates designed for professionals, graduate students, and lifelong learners seeking specialized global knowledge without committing to a full degree. These certificates are stackable toward the MS in Global Studies (MSGS), providing a pathway to advanced credentials.
Admission Requirements
Students applying for the Foundations of Global Studies Certificate must follow the requirements of graduate and professional admissions as listed at: Graduate Admissions - Minimum Requirements | Graduate College. There are no additional requirements. Please read the Graduate Admissions closely, as 10+ years of relevant professional work may qualify for full status admission - even without a bachelor's degree or currently working on a bachelor's degree.
Rolling Admissions - applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and before the priority date of the upcoming semester. Late submissions considered on an individual basis.
Priority dates
- July 15 for Fall semester
- Dec 1 for Spring semester.
On-Campus vs Online (synchronous & asynchronous)
Both on-campus and online are synchronous (i.e., join live either in-person or on Zoom). At times, we can accommodate asynchronous options for our core GLBL courses as well as CGGE 581. But we do not control electives outside of GLBL courses and therefore cannot guarantee a fully asynchronous degree.
Application Steps
- Complete the Graduate College online application (Rolling admissions). In the application, please include the requested information for three (3) letters of reference.
- Pay the application fee – $90 for US citizens and permanent residents and $90 for international students. Application fee must be paid using a credit card through the online application and is non-refundable.
- Submit unofficial transcripts for all completed university coursework with the Online Application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission and acceptance to the program.
- Submit a Statement of Purpose: All applicants will be expected to upload an academic statement. The length of these statements is chosen by your proposed program of study and range from 500 to 1000 words maximum.
- All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as evidence of English proficiency. Official scores are required to be submitted directly from TOEFL/ETS or IELTS. For more information, please visit English Proficiency Requirements. Please note: TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class at the proposed term of entry in order to be valid. International students may check to see if they are exempt from this requirement based on their country of citizenship.
- Check your status of your application materials to ensure all materials have been submitted prior to the deadline.
- Current University of Illinois graduate students who wish to transfer into this program, please contact MSGS academic coordinator, information below.
Contact the outreach coordinator, Tim Pollack, at tpollack@illinois.edu with any questions about the program and application process.
What They Have in Common
All certificates include two core courses:
- GLBL 500 – Global Society (4 hrs)
- GLBL 570 – Methodologies of Global Studies (4 hrs)
These courses provide a strong foundation in global systems and research methods.
Each certificate then adds one specialized course aligned with its track:
How They Differ
All certificates include one specialized course:
1. Gender, Policy, and Global Development
- Specialized Course: CGGE 581 – Gender Relations in International Development (4 hrs)
2. Global Data Analytics and Policy
- Specialized Course: IS 445 – Data Visualization (4 hrs)
3. Global Leadership and Governance
- Specialized Course: GLBL 520 – Institutions of Global Governance (4 hrs)
4. Global Security and Threat Reduction
- Specialized Course: GLBL 580 – Energy and Global Security (4 hrs)
Program Highlights
- Total Credits: 12 hours (3 courses)
- Delivery: 100% online (synchronous)
- Duration: Complete in as little as one semester
- Stackable: Credits apply toward the MS in Global Studies (MSGS) once accepted into the MSGS
- Faculty Expertise: Courses taught by leading scholars from CGS, ACDIS, CSGGE, and the School of Information Sciences
Who Should Enroll?
- Working professionals seeking global credentials
- Graduate students at other universities
- Military and government personnel
- International and non-traditional learners
Registration Information
- Start Dates: Fall and Spring terms
- Contact: Tim Pollack – tpollack@illinois.edu
Ready to Begin?