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The Five College International Relations Certificate Program offers undergraduate students an opportunity to supplement any major with a course of study in international affairs to enhance their understanding of complex international processes—political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental.

Drawing on the expertise and courses offered by more than twenty-five faculty members across the consortium, students pursuing the certificate  work in consultation with an International Relations program advisor to design a sequence of study relevant to the student's interests. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst the certificate it is coordinated by advisers in the Department of Political Science and the Department of History.

The certificate program is composed of seven courses chosen from six areas of study, plus attainment of intermediate-level mastery of a contemporary language.  Intermediate-level mastery is most often demonstrated through four courses (12 credits) of language or equivalent performance on placement exams. 

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Five College interchange while pursuing the certificate, but are not required to do so. Students may include courses taken during education abroad for certificate credit, but these must be approved by one of the campus certificate advisers before going abroad. Information on Education Abroad programs and procedures is available from the International Programs Office.

Learn more about finding an advisor, recommended courses offered at each Five College institution, and certificate procedures at www.fivecolleges.edu/international.

Certificate Requirements

1. One course on introductory world politics;
2. One course focusing on a global institutions or problems;
3. One course on the international financial and/or commercial system;
4. One modern history course paying substantial attention to the development of the international system;
5. One course on contemporary American foreign policy;
6. A contemporary foreign language up to an intermediate-level proficiency, typically attained through four semesters (or 12 credits) of college-level study (i.e., through the courses numbered 240 or 246 at UMass); and
7. Two courses on the politics, economy, and/or society of foreign areas. One of these must involve the study of a Non-Western country or region and can be chosen from the Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East or Third World sections of the Requirement 7 course list.

A list of courses offered at all Five College institutions that satisfy certificate requirements is available through the certificate website.

Students pursuing the Certificate should keep in mind that a) no more than four courses in any one discipline can be counted toward the certificate, b) no single course can satisfy more than one certificate requirement and c) courses must be completed with a grade of B or better.  Students with documented learning disabilities that might affect their progress in the Certificate should consult with an adviser.