Global public affairs

University of Missouri
Graduate certificate
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Graduate certificate

You’re an international thinker. Learning about diverse cultures, public opinion and the inner workings of how public policies can influence the goals of companies, organizations or countries excites you. You are intrigued by headlines about global topics and want to pursue a career in public relations or global impact organizations. Whether you’re studying political science, public affairs or foreign policy, set yourself up for higher earning potential and learn from a well-established department with talented faculty. 

The graduate certificate in global public affairs will position you to work well in international agencies, non-profit organizations and organizations with a focus on diverse populations within the U.S. and overseas. Current and former military service members seeking additional education in global affairs and national security are encouraged to apply. Explore a pathway to the defense and strategic studies master’s program.

You can focus on special topics in public affairs while studying abroad and apply your knowledge to real-time experiences and peer discussions. You can even earn credits for this program if you choose to study abroad.

Quick facts

Official name

Graduate certificate in global public affairs

Campus

University of Missouri

Program type

Graduate certificate

Academic home

College of Arts & Science | Truman School of Government and Public Affairs

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Credit hours

12

Estimated cost

$6,300.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

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Career prospects

This online global public affairs certificate program prepares graduates to take on roles in many areas of political science, public affairs or foreign policy, such as:

  • Global affairs
  • National security
  • Public service
  • Government relations
  • Corporate affairs or communications

Job titles graduates of this program can expect to achieve:

  • Public relations manager
  • Communications leader
  • Public affairs representative 
  • Corporate communications writer
  • Policy analyst
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
7.65%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$73,000
Median salary

Program structure

The online graduate certificate in global public affairs is 100% online: no campus visits are required

Courses are eight weeks in length and may be taken in any order. Students typically take one to two classes per semester and finish the program in 1-2 years.

Course work includes

  • American foreign policies
  • Comparative global governance
  • Peacekeeping and intervention
  • Understanding civil war
  • International conflict
  • International relations theory
  • Policies and institutions of the European Union
  • Military innovation in peace and war

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

8 weeks

Typical program length

1-2 years

Typical course load

1-2 classes per semester

Accreditation

University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

Faculty spotlight

Stephen Quackenbush

Stephen Quackenbush’s research and teaching focus on international conflict, deterrence and strategic studies. Dr. Quackenbush wrote Understanding General Deterrence: Theory and ApplicationInternational Conflict: Logic and Evidence, and numerous journal articles and book chapters. He created the master’s in defense and strategic studies at the University of Missouri and is former president of the International Studies Association-Midwest. He earned his doctorate in political science from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army, earning a Bronze Star during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Stephen Quackenbush
Associate Professor and Program Director, Truman School of Government and Public Affairs
Heather Ba

Dr. Ba’s interests include international political economy, U.S. foreign policy and the American presidency. Within the field of international political economy, her research focuses on systemic causes of financial crises, as well as the politics of global finance, and the role of credit and debt as a dimension of countries' structural and financial power. Her research on U.S. foreign policy examines the linkages between international relations theory and the conduct of U.S. foreign policy, as well as U.S. foreign policy crisis management, and the role of presidential advisory systems in U.S. foreign policy decision making.

Heather Ba
Assistant Professor, International Relations
Bryce Reeder

Bryce Reeder is an associate professor and director of doctoral programs in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs. He earned his doctorate and master’s from the University of Illinois, and his bachelor’s from Boise State University. His research centers on political violence, conflict management and the consequences of wars for civilian populations.

Bryce Reeder
Associate Professor and Doctoral Program Director, Truman School of Government and Public Affairs
Mary Stegmaier

Dr. Stegmaier’s research concentrates on elections and voting behavior in the United States and Europe, and she has been published in a variety of political science journals, including the British Journal of Political Science, East European Politics & Societies, Electoral Studies and more. She serves on several journal editorial boards. Her work also has appeared in the Washington Post. Dr. Stegmaier has served as an international election observer with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Albania, Macedonia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. 

 

Mary Stegmaier
Vice Provost for International Programs, Director of the International Center and Associate Professor

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs