Graduate Certificates in Political Science (Online & On-Campus)

Graduate Certificate in Government

The Graduate Certificate in Government offers career-applicable coursework for students with current or prospective careers in education, lobbying, policy analysis, NGO management, national security, public service, and politics.

In addition, this certificate is aimed to assist high school teachers and instructors in higher education who already have a Master's degree but would like to teach Advanced Placement (AP), political science college courses, Dual Enrollment (DE), and/or Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses in Government in obtaining the required number of graduate credit hours in political science to teach these courses as mandated by the Higher Learning Commission.

This certificate is offered on-campus and online.

Required Courses

Select two of the following courses (6 credits)

• PSCI 8040 Seminar in American Government and Politics
• PSCI 8250 Seminar in International Relations
• PSCI 8300 Seminar in Political Theory
• PSCI 8500 Seminar in Comparative Politics

Political Science Electives Selected from any other PSCI Graduate Courses (12 credit hours)

View Catalog descriptions and sample syllabi

Graduate Certificate in Intelligence and National Security

The Intelligence and National Security Certificate is a program designed to meet the need for an in-depth and critical analysis of US foreign policy and national security by graduate students, active duty military and civilian professionals working in the fields of public service, national security, defense policy and intelligence analysis. Classes are available on-campus or online.

Required Courses

Take the following courses (6 credits)

• PSCI 8200 Seminar in Foreign Policy and National Security
• PSCI 8250 Seminar in International Relations

Electives

Political Science Electives Selected from Below Courses (9 credit hours)

• PSCI 8206 International Relations of East Asia
• PSCI 8216 International Relations of the Middle East
• PSCI 8220 Seminar in International Leadership and Strategy
• PSCI 8255 Global Security Issues
• PSCI 8256 Intelligence and National Security
• PSCI 8265 United States Foreign Policy
• PSCI 8286 International Relations of Latin America
• PSCI 8366 Authoritarian Regimes
• PSCI 8556 Political Violence, Insurgency, and Terrorism

View Catalog descriptions and sample syllabi

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Admissions

Application Deadlines

• Fall: June 15
• Spring: October 15
• Summer: March 15

Requirements for students applying to, or who are current master's students in good standing:

1. 3.0 GPA (most recent GPA)
2. Students must be accepted into this certificate program within their first 15 credit hours. Students starting this program after 15 credit hours may not be able to count previous completed coursework towards this certificate.

Requirements for students applying for this certificate as a stand-alone program:

1. GPA: Baccalaureate degree or previous master's degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA. In exceptional circumstances, this requirement can be waived.
2. Previous Coursework: Nine credit hours in political science-related courses is preferred. The selection committee looks for previous coursework and/or professional experience in American government, political theory, international relations, comparative politics, and social science (quantitative) methodology. Students without the above background in political science may be admitted on a provisional basis and be required to take prerequisite courses before starting graduate work. Students must earn a grade of B or above in each of these courses.
3. Statement of Purpose: The personal statement (1-2 pages) should explain why the applicant is seeking admission into this program, how his/her academic/professional experiences can contribute to his/her success in this program, and how this program will contribute to his/her future academic/professional ambitions.
4. Professional Résumé
5. Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a former professor (preferred), supervisor, or individual that can speak to one's academic potential in a graduate program. If applicants have recently graduated from UNO, it is expected that one of the letters will be from a UNO political science faculty member. It is preferred that students use their references' institutional (.edu) or professional email.
6. Transcripts: Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
7. English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the U.S., OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a pre-determined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission. Paper-based TOEFL: 550, Internet-based TOEFL: 80 (with no sub-score under 15 is required), IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 105