As you complete your Associate's Degree, adding the International Certificate will demonstrate your commitment to knowing more about the world, and the peoples of the world around you. The IC is available to students in any major and generally does not require any additional credit hours. Requirements include a combination of core curriculum coursework and an approved activity.

How Do I Sign Up? 

1. Enroll on-line [link]
2. Complete all the course requirements with a minimum grade of "C" [checklist for students enrolled before May 30, 2012]
3. Complete all the course requirements with a minimum grade of "C" [checklist for students enrolled after May 30, 2012]
4. Graduate from GPC

Students who complete all IC requirements and graduate from GPC will receive a certificate suitable for framing and a line on their transcript indicating completion of the IC. Students are ultimately responsible for informing the CIE of their completion of requirements and graduation.

Activity Options- Choose one or more

Volunteer

1. Students selecting this option must complete a minimum of  20 hours of service within the course of a semester
2. Volunteer work must engage the volunteer with the "international community"
3. Volunteer work may be conducted either locally or abroad
4. Students must provide written documentation of participation  from volunteer organization for their file
5. Most GPC students have completed their 20 hours of volunteer work with Refugee Family Services, Culture Connect, The Clarkston Community Center, MedShare International, and the Latin American Association. You do not need prior approval from the CIE in order for volunteer work with these agencies to meet the activity requirement.
6. Volunteers with all other agencies and organizations who would like their current volunteer work to count towards the IC activity requirement must first seek approval from the Director for the CIE.
7. Participation in the IPA Program counts towards the volunteer option

Study Abroad

1. Must be for academic credit
2. Must be approved by the CIE

Club Involvement

1. Serve as an International Peer Assistant
2. Serve as an officer (President, Secretary) for a student club that has an international or country-specific focus (must be approved by the CIE)

Note: Students enrolled in the IC program may be asked to come in for one-on-one advising. At the end of each semester, students may receive a letter of progress.

FAQ (Hover over the question to reveal the answer)

• Question: What is the International Certificate?
  • Answer: The International Certificate is an added focus to your Associate Degree. Regardless of your major, by carefully focusing your core curriculum choices and extra-curricular activities, you can graduate from GPC better prepared to continue your education at one of the system’s four year institutions or to enter the workforce.
• Question: How do I sign up for the International Certificate?
  • Answer: The easiest way to sign up for the International Certificate is by using the on-line enrollment form. You can also apply in person at the Center for International Education A building of either the Clarkston or Dunwoody Campus. 
• Question : What courses do I need to take to receive the International Certificate?
  • Answer: International Certificate students make course choices from the approved course list. In addition to coursework, there is a language requirement and an activity requirement.
• Question : What is the activity requirement?
  • Answer: The International Certificate emphasizes the importance of experience in addition to knowledge in order to develop global competence. The activity requirement is intended to provide this type of experience.
  • Option 1- Study Abroad is an intense experience that takes students outside their home environment and provides them the opportunity to deal directly with a different language and/or culture while studying.
  • Option 2- International Volunteer Service is an opportunity for students to engage in the community where they will have a substantive experience working with and for immigrants and refugees in the Atlanta area. Like study abroad, students have the opportunity to deal directly with people from other cultural and linguistic backgrounds but within the framework of a non-profit agency.
  • Option 3- Model Organization is a more focused activity which requires that students learn in depth information about another nation and to put views and negotiation from that nation’s perspective. All three experiences provide both cross-cultural and leadership skill development. Please contact the Center for International Education to enroll in an activity option.