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Certificate Requirements

Successful completion of the GPC requires five parts. Students must complete all certificate requirements prior to graduation to earn the GPC.

Students are required to participate in one international experience during their undergraduate career. This could include study abroad, international internships, overseas volunteer programs, research abroad, or being an international student in the U.S. The international experience must be completed while students are in college.

Completion of this requirement is tracked using the GPC Moodle Project Site and requires students to submit a reflection in addition to documentation verifying participation.

International Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

International Travel Resources

Please note that there may be other opportunities. Please consult with the GPC coordinator at global-perspectives@ncsu.edu.

Students are required to complete four courses with a strong international emphasis chosen from three different courses categories in addition to a language requirement, for a total of fifteen credit hours. Courses used to fulfill GPC requirements may simultaneously apply to general education, major and/or minor requirements. 

Students must take at least one course in each GPC course category. The course categories are as follows

Language Requirement 

In addition to these four courses, students must also complete a language requirement. Students must complete at least three credit hours of language study. Students may fulfill this requirement by

  • being a foreign language major or minor or
  • achieving the equivalent of FL 201 in a previously studied language or
  • earning at least three credit hours at any level in a new language or
  • successful completion of FLE 101 as non-native English speakers. 

Please note all courses must be taken for a grade, and a minimum grade of a 2.0 (C or better) is required for coursework counting towards successful certificate completion.

Students must complete:

  • 30 points or roughly 30 hours of co-curricular activities, carried out domestically.
  • All co-curricular activities must have an international focus.

How can students earn points?

  • By attending individual programs, where 1 hour = 1 point. Students may earn a maximum of 7 points for attending any one event or program. For example:
    • A globally focused seminar or guest lecture lasting 1.5 hours = 1.5 points
    • Attending the International Festival of Raleigh for 3 hours = 3 points
    • Participating in a global leadership student conference 2 days = 7 points
  • By participating in semester-long activities or programs, where 1 semester = 10 points. Students may earn a maximum of 15 points from any one organization. For example:
    • 1 semester living in Global Village = 10 points
    • 2+ semesters living in Global Village = 15 points
    • 2 semesters participating in CENet = 15 points
    • 1 semester working as an intern in a local organization focused on international activities = 10 points
    • 2 semesters in a foreign language club = 15 points

To fulfill this requirement:

Students are required to upload the following information to their GPC Wolfware Moodle Project

  • confirmation of attendance of the event
    • provide a picture or video of the participant at the event
    • provide an email from a supervisor or event coordinator confirming participation in the activity
      • include start and end dates and times
  • a short narrative outlining how the activity relates to at least one of the other GPC requirements and answering at least one of the following questions.
    • How the activity relates to your future career or life interests?
    • What are are some insights gained about other cultures?
    • Are there any global issues that came to light from your experience?

Activity Examples

To see up-to-date co-curricular opportunities, check out our calendar under the Events of Interest tab.

The list below are examples that count, but is not exhaustive. For final approval, please consult with the GPC coordinator at global-perspectives@ncsu.edu.

Students must complete:

  • 10 points or roughly 10 hours of volunteer service, either domestically or internationally.
  • All service activities must have an international focus.

How can students earn points?

  • By participating in individual programs, where 1 hour = 1 point. Students may earn a maximum of 5 points for participating in any one event or program. For example:
    • Volunteering for the NCSU Study Abroad Fair for 3 hours = 3 points
    • Volunteering for the International Festival of Raleigh for 8 hours = 5 points
  • By participating in semester-long activities or programs, where 1 semester = 10 points. For example:
    • 1 semester of VOLAR (Voluntarios Ahora en Raleigh) = 10 points
    • international Alternative Service Break program = 10 points

Note: For some events, students may have the opportunity to volunteer to help set-up, plan, or work (e.g. International Festival). Volunteering is active service to others, and is considered separate from attending an event or being part of an on-campus organization. While volunteering at such an event would count towards the service requirement, simply attending an event does not count toward volunteer hours. Students must complete 10 volunteer points in addition to 30 points of co-curricular activities.

To fulfill this requirement:

Students are required to upload the following information for approval to their GPC Wolfware Moodle Project

  • confirmation of participation of the event
    • provide a picture or video of the participant at the event
    • provide an email from a supervisor or event coordinator confirming participation in the activity
      • include start and end dates and times
  • a short narrative outlining how the activity relates to at least one of the other GPC requirements and answering at least one of the following questions:
    1. How the activity relates to your future career or life interests?
    2. What are are some insights gained about other cultures?
    3. Are there any global issues that came to light from your experience?

Activity Examples

To see up-to-date co-curricular opportunities, check out our calendar under the Events of Interest tab.

The list below are examples that count, but is not exhaustive. For final approval, please consult with the GPC coordinator at global-perspectives@ncsu.edu.

Students must complete:

  • a capstone project that synthesizes their experience with the GPC.
  • the capstone project must address 5 thematic questions
  • all deliverables need to be turned in by the last day of class of the semester.

Capstone Project Requirements

Project Format Guidelines

Option 1: Reflection Paper

  • 5 – 10 pages (not including cover sheet and references)
  • double spaced
  • Times New Roman
  • 12 point font
  • 1-inch margins all around
  • MS Word or PDF format

All files must be uploaded to Moodle by the last day of class. 
Public presentation is not required. 

Option 2: Presentation*

  • 20 – 30 minutes (including audience questions)
  • Delivered in a public setting
  • Presentation file in PowerPoint or PDF
  • Presentation narrative (speaker notes) uploaded to Moodle in MS Word or PDF format
  • Presentation date, time, location, and audience information uploaded to Moodle
  • Picture of Video of Presentation uploaded (if not participating in GPC Presentation Day).

All files must be uploaded to Moodle by the last day of class.

Option 3: Short Film or Video*

  • 7 – 10 minutes run time.
  • Published on a public platform such as YouTube
  • Video file uploaded to Moodle
  • Video narrative (script, speaker notes, etc.) uploaded to Moodle in MS Word or PDF format
  • Video link uploaded to Moodle

All files must be uploaded to Moodle by the last day of class.

Option 4: Website or Blog

  • Minimum of 5 posts
  • Published on a public platform
  • Link to public site uploaded on Moodle

All files must be uploaded to Moodle by the last day of class.

Option 5: Academic Poster*

  • 1 academic poster
  • Presented in a public setting
  • Academic poster file in PowerPoint or PDF
  • Presentation narrative (speaker notes) uploaded to Moodle in MS Word or PDF format
  • Presentation date, time, location, and audience information uploaded to Moodle
  • Picture of video of presentation uploaded (if not participating in GPC Presentation Day).

All files must be uploaded to Moodle by the last day of class.

Option 6: Student’s Creative Choice

  • May be a combination of media such as short story, art exhibit or installation, etc.
  • Please consult with GPC coordinator for specific guidelines and deliverables

All files must be upload to Moodle by the last day of class.

*NOTE: For projects that are submitted in any format other than a paper must include notes and written talking points along with the presentation or media display for grading. This narrative needs to articulate the depth of the student experience and provide the context that may not be directly addressed through slides, photos, or media displays within the presentation. In other words, this document articulates the connection between your experiences and the 5 thematic questions posed for the capstone project. Presentations or displays should also include captions for all photos.

Five Thematic Questions

  1. How do the international experiences you have gained while pursuing the Global Perspectives Certificate complement and enhance your academic program (major/minor and other course work) and campus life (living/learning villages, clubs, and student organizations, volunteer work)?
  2. Reflect on your experiences abroad, coursework, co-curricular and service activities. What are the “linear themes” you have learned that connect these opportunities? How have they helped you understand the interconnectedness of the world and global affairs? Provide examples.
  3. What were your perceptions about cultural values and norms in other countries before you began your international experiences? How do they compare to your own culture and U.S. culture? How have they changed your feelings and behavior in situations with people from other cultures? Include specific examples.
  4. Why do you think it is important for students to “internationalize” their studies and everyday lives? How will you continue to do so in the future?
  5. How have the experiences and insights you have gained changed the way you see your own role in this global society?

Project Timeline by Semester

FALL SEMESTER TIMELINE
August – SeptemberStudent notifies GPC coordinator of their intention to complete the GPC. This must be done no later than October 1.
OctoberStudent arranges a meeting to discuss the capstone project proposal with GPC coordinator.  The student should be prepared with some responses to the required questions to be addressed in the final project Student identifies a possible venue for public presentation and begins to make appropriate arrangements
NovemberStudent finalizes arrangements for public presentation November 1 or earlier: Student submits their capstone project for review Student presents to the larger public
DecemberLast day of class: Final submissions must be complete. Student should verify all requirements have been met.
SPRING SEMESTER TIMELINE
January – FebruaryStudent notifies GPC coordinator of their intention to complete the GPC. This must be done no later than March 1.
MarchStudent arranges a meeting to discuss the capstone project proposal with GPC coordinator.  The student should be prepared with some responses to the required questions to be addressed in the final project Student identifies a possible venue for public presentation and begins to make appropriate arrangements
AprilStudent finalizes arrangements for public presentation April 1 or earlier:  Student submits their capstone project for review Student presents to the larger public
MayLast day of class: Final submissions must be complete. Student should verify all requirements have been met.

Capstone Project Resources

Examples of Past Projects

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