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Undergraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies

Learn how to make a real-world impact from seasoned foreign policy practitioners.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies will set you apart from your peers and give you the tools for a high-impact foreign service career through curated courses, language study, internships and practitioner mentorship.

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Quick facts: Certificate in Diplomatic Studies

Application deadline

April 3, 2026

Certificate advisor

James Seevers, ISD Director of Studies

Eligibility

BSFS sophomores at GU Hilltop campus

Why pursue the Certificate in Diplomatic Studies?

If your chosen career path involves shaping or navigating foreign policy, this certificate is built for you. Open to students across all Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) majors, the Certificate in Diplomatic Studies’ multidisciplinary program provides a deeper, practical understanding of how policy is made and carried out in today’s world.

This certificate expands and enhances your understanding of the complexity of issues and examines the full range of actors involved, as well as the analytic tools needed to formulate and implement 21st-century foreign policy.

What is diplomacy?

Diplomacy is the practice of foreign policy ā€“ how governments and intergovernmental organizations pursue their interests through formulation and implementation. Diplomacy is neither synonymous with foreign policy itself or international relations, nor is it solely the practice of international negotiation or the tradecraft of professional diplomats.

This certificate is designed to complement the international politics foreign policy/processes field, while also giving students from all BSFS majors a window into the practical side of policy creation and execution.

Certificate outcomes

The certificate will prepare you to:

  • Evaluate foreign policy in action: Assess and debate how the way in which foreign policy is formulated and implemented shapes whether it succeeds or fails. 
  • Understand today’s diplomatic landscape: Recognize how the global environment where diplomats operate is changing, in particular that it is multilateral, transnational and includes interactions across the broad spectrum of host country, host institution and non-state actors.
  • Apply the tools of statecraft: Develop analytical skills to understand the use of specific statecraft tools, such as negotiation, public diplomacy and economic diplomacy, are used to address different policy challenges.
  • Analyze how different actors conduct foreign policy: Understand and interpret the conduct of foreign policies by major states, medium states and small states, and regional and international organizations in clear written and oral presentations.
  • Think across boundaries: Look beyond your areas of concentration to draw on a wide range of sources and disciplines, and translate broad strategic goals into practical, innovative policy steps. 
  • See the full picture: Analyze foreign policy through multiple lenses: history, economics, culture, religion, domestic political actors, development and security, law and science, as well as international relations theory.

Certificate requirements

To earn the Undergraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies, you’ll work closely with ISD’s Director of Studies to plan a focused, coherent course of study. Your program will include four core components: language study, coursework, an internship and a research project.

Detailed requirements

Demonstrated proficiency in a second language or completed four semesters of language study.

Six courses (18 or more credit hours) drawn from the UCDS course list. These do not need to be additional credits; they can overlap with your other degree requirements to include:

  • One course in elements of statecraft ā€” such as negotiation, public diplomacy, economic diplomacy or development. You may petition to have a course not on the list counted.
  • One course in diplomatic history and contemporary foreign policy. You may petition to have a course not on the list counted.
  • Any combination of the following categories:
    • Econometrics or other quantitative course
    • Regional or area studies
    • Transnational issue, to include STIA issues
    • Regional or multilateral organizations
    • Ideological, cultural or religious dynamics
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An internship with an organization or institution whose work directly engages with diplomacy, whether shaping policy or responding to it. 

The Institute for the Study of Diplomacy will consider waivers and exceptions in extenuating circumstances, on a case-by-case basis.

A significant research project (at least 20-25 pages) on a topic of your choice with clear diplomatic significance. The project should include original analysis and policy recommendations. 

There are several ways to fulfill this requirement:

  • Any course above the basic survey level taught by a member of ISD
  • As an ISDā€™s student fellow under one of ISDā€™s research fellowships 
  • A research paper conducted as part of another course, provided the paper topic is approved by ISD in advance 
  • A paper produced in a research tutorial, including an approved 3-credit internship course
  • A standalone paper, researched and submitted directly to ISD and independent of the above. The paper would not be for course credit but would be for certificate credit.

If written outside of an ISD course, you must submit the topic and course syllabus to diplomacy@georgetown.edu for prior approval and receive a grade of B+ or above.

During your junior year, ISD will connect you with one of our State Department Fellows to participate in an informal mentorship program.

Course list

Browse the approved list of courses for the Undergraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies.

View past courses

How to apply

Interested in the Certificate in Diplomatic Studies? Here is everything you need to know to get started.

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Application process

The certificate is open to students currently enrolled in the BSFS degree program who have declared a major.

Applications are typically submitted in the second semester of sophomore year. In some cases, ISD may permit applications at the start of junior year ā€” reach out if you have questions about timing.

Your application should include a personal statement that covers:

  • How the certificate complements your area of concentration
  • The courses you plan to take and why you’ve selected them
  • Your proposed research focus

Contact us

Have questions before you apply? Contact James Seevers, ISD’s Director of Studies, who oversees the undergraduate certificate program and will work closely with you throughout.

As a certificate candidate, you’ll also become part of ISD’s broader practitioner community, led by ISD Director Ambassador Barbara Bodine.