University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
International Studies BA
Johnstown, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 27,134 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* full-time, two terms | for out-of-state residents
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The International Studies Certificate at Pitt-Johnstown is an interdisciplinary, flexible program that can be completed by any major as a supplement to any degree program.
The curriculum addresses the increasingly interconnectedness and global nature of today's society and also serves as an excellent career preparation in a variety of fields. These include international business, government service, journalism international communication, law, and other areas.
The international studies curriculum can be structured to fit degree programs without requiring more than the traditional four years, and often includes a study-abroad experience.
The international studies certificate is structured to promote the interests of both the career-oriented student and the student who wishes to be an informed citizen and to understand and enjoy the world. For the student who has already made a career choice, this certificate provides the opportunity to demonstrate flexibility, perspective, and interests that are increasingly attractive to prospective employers.
As a complement to any major, the certificate program prepares students for real-world success working in a number of areas, including government service (both domestic and foreign), private interest groups, national and international service agencies, journalism, and international business.
Pitt-Johnstown Financial Aid
Scholarship eligibility for incoming first-year or new students to Pitt-Johnstown will be assessed by the Admissions Office upon acceptance.
Process For Continuing Students
Each year, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Financial Aid Office awards numerous Gift and Endowed (G&E) scholarships, made available to deserving students through the generosity of many individuals, clubs, organizations, industries, businesses, and foundations.
The selection of scholarship recipients is based on specific criteria defined by the donor. A student’s academic performance and financial need may also be considered when deciding upon qualified candidates. Most G&E scholarships are geared toward continuing students; Pitt-Johnstown may require students to complete a scholarship application for consideration.
Completing the scholarship application does not guarantee selection, however, by completing the application, students are automatically considered for each scholarship that Pitt-Johnstown offers as well as several outside scholarships.
General Requirements
For consideration, students must:
- be enrolled for at least 6 credits in a degree-seeking program at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have successfully completed 12 credits as a degree-seeking student at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 to be considered for need-based scholarships.
- be registered for the upcoming fall term by May 15.
- comply with Pitt-Johnstown's satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid.
- not be in default on an educational loan or not owe repayment on a federal grant.
- not have earned a Bachelor’s Degree.
Scholarship Exclusions/Adjustments
Limited G&E funds are available to full scholarship recipients. Scholarship awards may be adjusted if Financial Aid determines a student is the recipient of a full tuition scholarship or tuition remission.
Any student who receives a scholarship and/or grant awards that total more than Pitt-Johnstown’s annual cost of attendance, as defined by the Financial Aid Office, will have one or more awards reduced or cancelled.
The Financial Aid Office awards G&E scholarships based upon the information available at the time of the award, including intended major or cumulative GPA, as well as any other possible variables. In the event that this information is inaccurate or changes, the Financial Aid Office has the right to reduce, change, or cancel the award.
The Pitt-Johnstown International Studies (IS) Certificate combines related areas of study: foreign language, research tools, core courses, and courses allowing specialized study of a specific region of the world or cross-regional issues or problems. Students may select one of the following certificate programs:
General (Focus: Europe and Modern Asia) - This program focuses on the politics, economics, and cultures of developed democracies as well as the relationships between them, including issues such as international trade, diplomacy, and international organisations.
General (Focus: Global South) - This program investigates the politics and societies of developing economies and emerging markets, especially in Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Questions of economic and political development and the issue of global interdependence are core areas of interest.
General (Thematic Focus) - This program specializes on a particular global or international theme. Students will develop cross-regional expertise by focusing on how an issue affects more than one global region. Topics may include human rights, democratization, international environmental problems, and international women's issues. Students may choose language training as a theme and develop high-level competency in multiple languages. Because there is considerable latitude under this option, the sequence of courses will have to be pre-approved by the international studies director. The student will want to develop a well-defined, clearly stated objective followed by a program of study that meets that objective.
Business - The International Business program combines Pitt-Johnstown coursework with the once-in-a-lifetime chance to study abroad. Students achieve real-world knowledge and experience necessary to succeed in today's global marketplace. This distinction differentiates you in your career search and interviewing process.
French - Students wishing to combine an interest in French language and culture with related classes both in other disciplines and a study abroad experience should opt for this certificate, which combines a liberal arts education with becoming a better-informed global citizen who understands and enjoys the world.
Spanish - Students wishing to combine an interest in Spanish language and culture with related classes both in other disciplines and a study abroad experience should opt for this certificate, which combines a liberal arts education with becoming a better-informed global citizen who understands and enjoys the world.
Geography - This program promotes the interests of both the career-oriented student and the student whose expectations of a liberal arts education include enhancement of one's capacity to function as an informed citizen and to understand and enjoy the world.
Communications - Communications is a dynamic, exciting, and ever-changing discipline that examines the phenomenon of human interaction. If you are curious about the world around you and want to improve your professional and personal relationships, the certificate in media communication with its study abroad component can greatly enhance these skills.