Certificate of Graduate Studies in International Relations
The Certificate in International Relations, offered online and on campus, is designed for those pursuing a significant international component to their work. You may earn a 12-credit (4 course) certificate of graduate studies in a targeted discipline, either to expand your degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Through this program, explore how you can grow as a principled leader in government for the health and prosperity of our nation and our world. You can be equipped to analyze key developments — including the role of religion, area studies of specific regions, and analysis of U.S. policy in the international arena.
- Understand the democracy and democratization, and the biblical principles surrounding them.
- Choose coursework, from Mid-East politics and human rights to American foreign policy and international political economy, based on your goals and interests.
This certificate may help advance your career in think tanks, international organizations, or federal agencies by equipping you as an expert in your field.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
Select 4 courses (12 credits) from the list below:
| GOV 601 | International Relations & Cyber Politics | 3 | Considers applicability of traditional IR theory paradigms to description and analysis of cyber conflict and cyber international relations. Considers issues of political economy associated with globalization and cryptocurrencies. Introduces cyberspace actors and institutions and prospects for global conflict and conflict resolution. Cross-listed with GOV 701. |
| GOV 605 | Christian Ethics & the Law of Armed Conflict | 3 | Considers the nature of war and peace, including thought and practice from philosophical and religious viewpoints, with particular reference to the Christian tradition (e.g. just war theory) and the formal law of armed conflict. Cross-listed with LAW 560 and GOV 705. |
| GOV 606 | Social, Political & Theological Implications of Technology | 3 | Introduces key debates in philosophy of technology, considers impacts of new technological developments from political, philosophical, theological, psychological and sociological perspectives. Considers transhumanism, Big Data and implications of autonomy and surveillance for democracy. |
| GOV 612 | History & Politics of Israel | 3 | An analysis of the nature and development of the Israeli political system, including historical background, Zionism, elections and the institutions of government, constitutional issues, and religion and politics. The relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy will also be explored as well as the regional and global context in which Israel exists. Cross-listed with GOV 712. |
| GOV 625 | International Relations Theory | 3 | Foundational seminar for graduate work in International Relations and International Security. Identifies and explains key methodological and theoretical approaches to the study of international relations theory, applies these methods and theories to specific practical aspects of international relations, and analyzes various IR theories and perspectives in light of a Christian world view. Cross-listed with GOV 725. |
| GOV 638 | International Organizations | 3 | Evaluates rationale for and contributions of major government and non-government international organizations, with a focus on international legal covenants, transnational and regional governance, international economic and development organizations, multinational corporations and the international faith-based-non-profit sector. Cross-listed with GOV 738. |
| GOV 652 | U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East | 3 | Analyzes the past and present foreign policy of U.S. in relation to the greater Middle East, with a focus on the post-war era. Cold War politics, the evolving relationship with Israel and various other governments, religionized politics, and related global trends such as terrorism and oil economics. Cross-listed with GOV 752. |
| GOV 653 | Middle East Politics | 3 | Political change and ideological trends in the Middle East after WWII. Explores the politics of state and nation building, the legacies of colonialism, the impact of nationalism, the development of civil society, the complications of oil wealth, the challenges of democracy, and the place of political Islam. Cross-listed with GOV 753. |
| GOV 659 | Shari'a Law | 3 | Survey Islamic Law in three parts: (1) Qur’anic foundations using the Qur’an itself and the history of its various interpretations; (2) “classical/historical/orthodox/traditional” Shari’a itself; and (3) the application of Shari’a in Muslim nations today and its relevancy to non-Muslim nations. Cross-listed as LAW 812. |
| GOV 662 | Cybersecurity Policy & Affairs | 3 | Introduces basic concepts and vocabulary for pursuing additional training in cybersecurity policy and affairs. Examines issues such as: how does encryption work? What is code? What is a blockchain and what is critical infrastructure? Also, suitable for students not wishing to pursue a concentration or certificate but wishing to acquire familiarity with these issues. Cross-listed with GOV 762. |
| GOV 672 | Islamic Political Thought | 3 | Presents the most influential threads of political thought and philosophy in the Islamic world from Muhammad and the Caliphate through modern Islamism. Topics examined include: The classical Caliphate, early modern Islamic empires, Sunni, Shia and Sufi conceptions of politics, Islamic revivalism and Islamism, Islamic finance, and religious freedom in Islam. Cross-listed with GOV 772. |
| GOV 673 | Democracy & Development | 3 | Analyzes the nature and character of democracy and democratic institutions, compares theoretical approaches to democratization and political development, and analyzes practical case studies. Cross-listed with GOV 773. |
| GOV 674 | International Political Economy | 3 | A multi-disciplinary study of international and multinational social, political, and economic problems from a Comparative and international perspective. Cross-listed with GOV 774. |
| GOV 676 | Politics of East Asia | 3 | Deals with Asia’s wars and peace in the 20th century, and the dynamic political, economic, and religious developments in the 21st century. It will also discuss the division and desire for unification of Korea, and China’s rise as a regional and global power. Includes an analysis of ASEAN’s goal to move from economic cooperation to political integration and regional security, and the consideration of the role of APEC and Asia’s future relations with The United States and European Union. Cross-listed with GOV 776. |
| GOV 632 | International Security | 3 | This course offers a comprehensive overview of the study of international conflict and security. The goal is to provide students with a solid theoretical and conceptual foundation for understanding the causes, nature, and consequences of key developments in international conflict and cooperation. Cross-listed with GOV 732. |
| GOV 689 | US Foreign Policy | 3 | Historical development of US foreign policy principles; actors involved in creation of foreign policy, role of interest groups and special interests; economic aspects of US foreign policy and the role of ideology and religion; considers America’s role in the world today. Cross-listed with GOV 789. |
2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines
All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 9 | Monday, August 19 |
| Session B | Friday, October 11 | Monday, October 21 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 8 | Monday, January 13 |
| Session D | Friday, March 7 | Monday, March 17 |
| Session E | Friday, May 2 | Monday, May 12 |
| Session F | Friday, June 13 | Monday, June 23 |
The Certificate of Graduate Studies offers an excellent opportunity for those not requiring a master’s degree. This option is often used by those needing continuing education credits or for those who wish to complement their existing degree with additional training for career advancement. Upon completing the certificate, students have the option of applying to the master’s program, and if accepted, all courses taken toward the certificate transfer in.
Application Requirements
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
| Certificate of Graduate Studies | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Total Credits | Tuition Cost for Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| Cyber Practitioner Preparation | $695 | 9 | $6,255 |
| Cybersecurity Policy | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| International Relations | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| Law & Public Policy | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| Middle East Politics | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| National Security Studies | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| Political Campaign Strategies & Management | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| Public Administration | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
| Terrorism & Homeland Defense | $695 | 12 | $8,340 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Whether you are a prospective student or a current student, your questions matter. Please take a few moments to skim our Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us.