Program: Comparative and Global Politics Advanced Certificate - San Diego State University

Apr 04, 2025

2023/2024 University Catalog

(SIMS Code: 115528)

The Advanced Certificate in Comparative and Global Politics provides students with both a theoretical and practical foundation in politics within and across regions. Students take core courses introducing them to major theoretical traditions in comparative and global politics and to research methods appropriate to their interests. Students also take electives that provide an in-depth look at world regions or issue areas, including international law, foreign policy, and migration. This advanced certificate is intended for students who wish to pursue careers related to comparative and/or global politics, both in the public and private sectors.

Admissions Requirements

Open to all matriculated students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or its equivalent from a foreign institution.

The advanced certificate requires 15 units with half of the coursework at the 600-level or above. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better must be maintained in certificate coursework, with no less than a grade of C (2.0) or better in any course.

Required Courses

(6 units)

POL S 655 - Seminar in General Comparative Political Systems Units: 3
POL S 675 - Seminar in International Relations Units: 3

One Required Course in Methods of Inquiry from the Following Options

(3 units)

POL S 616 - Tools for Quantitative Analysis Units: 3
POL S 617 - Seminar in Applied Qualitative Methods Units: 3
POL S 507 - Marx and Marxism Units: 3
POL S 510 - Contemporary Political Thought Units: 3

Two Elective Courses from the Following List

(6 units)

POL S 530 - Political Parties Units: 3
POL S 555 - Comparative Political Systems Units: 3
POL S 560 - Comparative Citizenship in Policy and Practice Units: 3
POL S 562 - Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective Units: 3
POL S 564 - Political Ecology of Latin America Units: 3
POL S 565 - Nations and Nationalism Units: 3
POL S 568 - Mexican Politics Units: 3
POL S 575 - International Relations of the Pacific Rim Units: 3
POL S 577 - Politics of International Law Units: 3
POL S 630 - Seminar in Politics Units: 3
POL S 658 - Seminar in Post-Communist Political Systems Units: 3
POL S 661 - Seminar in the Political Systems of the Developing Nations Units: 3
POL S 667 - Seminar in Latin American Political Systems Units: 3

Note

Students may take other electives with approval of the certificate administrator. Courses in the certificate program may be applied to a master’s degree (if applicable) with approval of the adviser.