The Gender, Peace, and Security (GPS) Certificate provides Georgetown graduate students with a rigorous academic treatment of critically important but often overlooked issues. As the international community increasingly recognizes the value of gender-sensitive peace and security efforts, the certificate focuses on topics related to gender dynamics and gendered experiences in conflict and peacebuilding. It is not designed solely for those seeking careers in gender issues, but also for those whose careers will demand an intersectional and comprehensive understanding of defense, development, and diplomacy theory and practice.
Objectives
- Provide essential analysis, expertise, and practical skills on issues in Gender, Peace and Security.
- Develop theoretical and substantive background necessary to understand, explain, and respond to complex global issues with a gender lens.
The certificate is available to current Georgetown University graduate students.
View Pre-Approved & Previously Adapted FLEX Courses
View Example Student Course Plans
Meet our Certificate Program Alumni
Course Requirements
To earn the certificate, students must complete 15 credit hours of coursework, including:
- FOUNDATION (3 Credits): MSFS 571/GOVT 570: Gender, International Security and Development.
- SPECIALIZATION (3 Credits): One advanced gender course offered by GIWPS. The topic and focus of the courses will vary annually in order to appeal to various students, build skills, and prepare students for a range of careers. View our Graduate Course list.
- FLEX (9 Credits): Additional coursework that applies an intersectional gender analysis to security, diplomacy, development, or International Affairs more broadly. To fulfill this requirement, students can select from a pre-approved list of courses or can adapt a course, capstone project, or thesis to integrate a gender perspective into course assignments and readings. View a running list of courses that have been pre-approved or successfully adapted.
Once students enroll in a proposed FLEX course, they should reach out to the Certificate Director, Dr. Smith. Students are required to detail how they will adapt course assignments in advance. All completed FLEX coursework must be submitted for review and approval.
Prior coursework may be considered for FLEX credit is there was an obvious and thorough engagement with a gender perspective.
In addition, students must achieve an overall GPA of 3.2 and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 for Certificate courses.
Application
If you are interested in pursuing the Gender, Peace and Security certificate, please complete the GIWPS GPS Certificate Application. In the application form, students must outline a tentative plan for completing the certificate requirements. See an Example Student Plan for reference. Completed applications should be sent to Dr. Smith: Jessica.Smith@georgetown.edu
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. After submitting an application, Dr. Smith will arrange an initial advising meeting. Students are encouraged to apply well in advance of their final semester to ensure they successfully meet the certificate requirements.
More Information
Students interested in the GPS Certificate can contact Dr. Jessica Smith at Jessica.Smith@georgetown.edu for more information.