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Overview | Certificate in Advanced International Affairs

Graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs
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The Certificate in Advanced International Affairs (CAIA) is an outstanding addition to the resume of anyone interested in a career in international relations, intelligence, defense policy, military affairs, counterterrorism, diplomacy, international organizations, law enforcement, international business, or international economic development.

Overview

  • 12 Credit Hour Graduate Certificate Program
  • Courses Offered Online or On Campus
  • Fall and Spring Fifteen-Week Courses, Summer Ten-Week Courses
  • Successful Completion Appears on Texas A&M Transcript
  • Can Often Transfer Credits to a Degree-Seeking Master’s Program
  • 12 Hours Transferrable to a Bush School Master’s Degree

Course Formats

Online courses offer a flexible and interactive format over a traditional fifteen-week semester, ten-week summer semester, typically requiring online discussion several times a week. All online courses fall under 700 section numbers.

On-campus courses at College Station are offered during a traditional fifteen-week semester, typically meeting once a week for three hours. Note: On-campus courses often fill up quickly since priority goes to Bush School degree-seeking master’s students.

Curriculum

To receive a graduate Certificate in Advanced International Affairs (CAIA), a student must complete 12 credit hours of CAIA courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students have the option of selecting an emphasis area (see below). Those who do not select an emphasis area may tailor their certificate and choose four courses from a variety of options.

Most Bush School courses that fall under the Master of International Affairs (MIA) may be counted toward the Certificate in Advanced International Affairs. Students must be admitted to the certificate program before any classes begin.

Note: Students may take one approved Certificate in Homeland Security (CHLS) course to apply toward their CAIA.

Optional Emphasis Areas

CAIA students have the option of choosing an area of emphasis. While selecting an emphasis area is not required, doing so may prove beneficial for future employment since the emphasis will be noted on the certificate upon successful completion of the CAIA program.

Students who choose an emphasis are required to take two core courses and two emphasis-specific courses listed under the area they have chosen.

Students may obtain multiple emphasis areas by completing six additional hours of electives (two courses) while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better.

Emphasis Options
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense Policy and Military Affairs
  • Intelligence
  • Counterterrorism

Certificate Courses

Please note that each course is not offered every semester, which may affect completion time for an optional emphasis. All courses listed are available for students to choose from if not pursuing an area of emphasis.

Core Courses (required for emphasis only; any students may take)

  • INTA 605 American Foreign Policy
  • INTA 651 National Security Policy

Electives (listed by emphasis areas)

Diplomacy
  • INTA 603 American Diplomacy (required course for Diplomacy emphasis)
  • INTA 604 Politics of the Contemporary Middle East
  • INTA 606 International Politics in Theory and Practice (in residence only)
  • INTA 609 Principles of International Law
  • INTA 611 Authoritarianism and Political Elites in the Arab World
  • INTA 644 International Post Conflict Recovery and Development
  • INTA 654 Military Strategy in the Conduct of Nations
  • INTA 680 Political Violence and Terrorism within the International System
Defense Policy and Military Affairs
  • INTA 617 Deterrence and Coercion (in residence only)
  • INTA 654 Military Strategy in the Conduct of Nations
  • INTA 659 Transnational Security Issues
  • INTA 680 Political Violence and Terrorism within the International System
Intelligence
  • INTA 650 National Security Law (in residence only)
  • INTA 652 The Role of Intelligence in Security Affairs (strongly recommended)
  • INTA 653 Technical Collection Systems for International Security
  • INTA 659: Transnational Security Issues
  • INTA 680 Political Violence and Terrorism within the International System
Counterterrorism
  • INTA 604 Politics of the Contemporary Middle East
  • INTA 611 Authoritarianism and Political Elites in the Arab World
  • INTA 659 Transnational Security Issues
  • INTA 680 Political Violence and Terrorism within the International System
Other Electives (available in residence only)
  • INTA 608 Fundamentals of the Global Economy
  • INTA 655 Evolution of the European Union
Approved Homeland Security Courses
  • CAIA students can substitute ONE of the following approved CHLS course towards completion of the CAIA:
    • PSAA 608 Cybersecurity Policy, Issues and Operations – A Manager’s Guide
    • INTA 612/PSAA 668 US Law and Homeland Security
    • PSAA 653 Weapons of Mass Destruction
    • INTA 657/PSAA 657 Terrorism in Today’s World
    • PSAA 654 U.S. Border Security: Policies, Strategies and Issues

Contact an enrollment advisor for upcoming semester course offerings: bushschoolonline@tamu.edu or 1-866-988-2874.

How to Apply

  • Submit Application
  • Personal Statement (all applicants)
    • Applicant must include a statement of approximately 500 words indicating personal interest in some area of international affairs and how s/he might use an enhanced knowledge of this subject. Applicant must also include any courses taken that dealt with foreign policy.
    • Applicant should include a description of any life experiences in world affairs. The statement should indicate the dates, times, and locations of these experiences and an explanation of the specific types of experiences that demonstrate international involvement and what insights were acquired from them. Provide information about fluency in other languages, including the level of fluency attained. Other than short vacations or business trips, note the location and dates of any significant time residing outside the United States.
    • Personal statements can be submitted via fax or e-mail to the Office of Extended Education:
  • Resume (all applicants)
    • Resumes can be submitted via fax or e-mail to the Office of Extended Education.
  • Send Official Transcripts
    • Official transcripts from all four-year colleges/universities attended for undergraduate course must be sent directly from the issuing university to the Office of Graduate Admissions at Texas A&M University:
      • Graduate Admissions Processing
        Texas A&M University
        P.O. Box 40001
        College Station, TX 77842-4001
    • Electronic transcripts can be processed much faster than paper transcripts. Texas A&M will accept transcripts sent electronically through SPEEDE, eScrip-SAFE or National Clearing House to admissions@tamu.edu. Transcripts from any other vendor will not be accepted.
    • Domestic Transcripts: Copies of unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions may be sent to the Office of Extended Education for preliminary review while waiting for delivery of official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions. E-mail bushschoolonline@tamu.edu or fax (979-862-3196) unofficial copies to the Office of Extended Education for preliminary consideration.
    • International Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts from international institutions cannot be accepted for review. Official international transcripts must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions to begin applicant review.
    • All new students: You will not be able to register for classes until your official transcripts are received by the Office of Graduate Admissions at Texas A&M University.
  • Test Scores (all applicants) GRE or GMAT Scores are required if bachelor’s GPA is below a 3.0 in the final 60 hours of coursework.

Click Here for a printable version of the CAIA Certificate Overview.