Your Guide to the University Center for International Studies
What is UCIS?
The University Center for International Studies (UCIS) is home to six area and thematic studies centers that offer multidisciplinary academic programs for undergraduate and graduate students, programs and funding for affiliated faculty, and initiatives and events for community organizations and K-12 educators and students.
UCIS is also home to different offices that have an international connotation to their purposes. The Global Experience Office develops programs and assists educational experiences in over 75 countries including the US. The Office for International Services (OIS) offers immigration-related support for international visitors, students, faculty, researchers, and staff at the University of Pittsburgh. The Nationality Rooms promote cross-cultural comprehension and praise Pittsburgh’s ethnic diversity and immigrant legacy.
Along with Pitt’s Honors College, UCIS has created the Bachelor of Philosophy in International and Area Studies – a research-based undergraduate major that helps students meet the demands of today’s world. The goal of the program is to enable students to think critically and to gain “global competence”, which involves working effectively in various international settings and awareness of major currents of global change. It also allows students to develop communication skills for international professional settings.
UCIS’ Importance
Why is UCIS such an important asset to Pitt’s community and why should you consider getting involved? Besides being a great way to get involved on campus, UCIS helps you to grow as a person and student. Hear from Senior Lecturer at the History Department and UCIS’ Executive Director of Academic Affairs John Stoner and UCIS’ Executive Director of Global Engagement Belkys Torres.
“[UCIS] is the primary connector between Pitt and the world. A lot of faculty do individual research and might have international collaborators or partners, but in terms of helping the university craft a coherent set of policies and strategies to connect to the world, UCIS has been crucial in most, if not all those conversations.” – John Stoner, Senior Lecturer at the History Department and University Center for International Studies’ Executive Director of Academic Affairs
“Going through these programs just makes us better people, because all these international and area studies programs are about teaching us how to work in teams, how to learn from one another from different points of view, and perspectives have to be respectful while also thinking critically about real-world issues and how it takes an entire group of people to make a change. We can’t make changes as individuals, we need to really, always work together to do that.” – Belkys Torres, University Center for International Studies’ Executive Director of Global Engagement
Why Earn a UCIS Credential?
UCIS’ credentials are not only useful for your personal development but also to broaden your career and academic expertise. This is what Senior Lecturer at the History Department and UCIS’ Executive Director of Academic Affairs John Stoner and UCIS’ Executive Director of Global Engagement Belkys Torres have to say!
“We live in a society where credentials are still very important. Earning a credential, whether it's a Global Distinction or Latin American Studies Certificate, or a BPhil in International and Area Studies, is a way to show on your transcript that you spent a lot of time and energy really deliberately thinking about global issues, and that you now have an expertise that sets you apart from the rest of the candidates who might be applying for the same internship, job or the same graduate program as you.” – Belkys Torres, University Center for International Studies’ Executive Director of Global Engagement
“Regardless of whether you want to go work for the State Department or the CIA in Uzbekistan and have what most people would have construed as a traditionally internationally-based career, or you don't really want to go farther than the limits of the county because you love Pittsburgh so much, I think that UCIS is worth a look because I think that the experiences that you'll have there, the skills that you'll gain will be important.” – John Stoner, Senior Lecturer at the History Department and University Center for International Studies’ Executive Director of Academic Affairs
Our Academic Centers
UCIS’s international studies offer certificates and related concentrations in different world regions. They support teaching, learning, research, and study abroad opportunities for students interested in giving their education a global perspective, as well as increasing students’ language and global awareness skills. All certificates and related concentrations include language requirements, courses on the region or specific matters related to the region, a digital portfolio, and, although not necessary for all certificates, encourages students to study abroad.
The Center for African Studies (CAS) provides students opportunities to expand their knowledge of Africa, deconstruct previously created thoughts on the continent, and foster a greater understanding of the diverse region. The center also encourages the study of Africa from a global perspective by cooperating with other area-studies centers, international centers, professional schools, and departments at Pitt. CAS offers two certificates, one in African Studies and another in Mediterranean Studies from a Northern Africa perspective.
Schedule an appointment with the CAS Advisor!
The Asian Studies Center (ASC) promotes an exclusive opportunity to enhance the understanding of East, South, and Southeast Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands. ASC has partnerships with over 100 affiliated faculty from numerous departments, which allows innovative research in diverse fields, as well as community engagement. The center has also been designated a National Resource Center by the United States Department of Education. It offers a certificate and related concentration in European and Eurasian Studies. It offers certificates in Asian and Transnational Asian Studies.
Schedule an appointment with the ASC Advisor!
The European Studies Center (ESC) promotes the study of Europe from a different perspective, which allows students to explore the region beyond its surface. The center has been designated a Jean Monnet European Union Center of Excellence, promoting the study and knowledge of the European Union, its institutions, and policies. ESC has also been designated a National Resource Center by the United States Department of Education. ESC offers certificates in West European Studies, the European Union, the Mediterranean (from a European perspective), and Transatlantic Studies, as well as a related concentration in European and Eurasian Studies.
Schedule an appointment with the ESC Advisor!
The Global Studies Center (GSC) promotes critical thinking and practical engagement through an interdisciplinary study of globalization, fostering research and engagement to create inclusive spaces for intellectual growth and debate. For the GSC certificate, students must choose one of the five concentrations offered by the center: Cultural Dynamics; Critical World Ecologies; Health and Well-Being; Peace, Conflict, and (In)Security; and Politics and Economy. The center also offers a certificate in Global Health, which allows students to deepen their understanding of international health issues and structures.
Schedule an appointment with the GSC Advisor!
The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) includes not only Latin America, but also the Caribbean and the diverse diasporic communities in these areas. The center also engages local, national, and international communities and provides faculty and students resources to facilitate unique research and educational experiences, which allows students to broaden not only their perspectives on the region but also to network with faculty members across the world. CLAS offers a certificate and a related concentration.
Schedule an appointment with the CLAS Advisor!
The Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REEES) focuses on Central and Eastern Europe and the successor states of the Soviet Union. Research areas are as wide as the region the center covers, and students have the possibility of creating an interdisciplinary curriculum to better understand the vast region. REEES has also been designated a National Resource Center by the United States Department of Education. It offers a certificate and related concentration in European and Eurasian Studies.
Schedule an appointment with the REEES Advisor!
Global Distinction
The Global Distinction is the perfect opportunity to showcase global awareness and cross-cultural exposure. The self-designed program places less emphasis on curricular requirements and stresses the importance of out-of-classroom experiences. The credential is ideal for those who might not have room in their schedules to complete a whole certificate, but who are committed and interested in global engagement. Learn more about the Global Distinction!
Do any of these opportunities seem interesting to you? Check out our website at https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/main/. Not only does UCIS have a space for every students’ individuality, but it also provides personalized curriculums, study abroad programs, and opportunities.
“A lot of students when they graduate say this is where it feels like home, and that’s because of our advisors, program managers, student leaders, and faculty. They take a special interest in our students because they are doing such unique and interesting work, so it does feel like a family.” – Belkys Torres, University Center for International Studies’ Executive Director of Global Engagement
Take a look at some of our previous students’ portfolios!
Global Studies Center: https://ucisportfolios.pitt.edu/khadijahadamu/
Center for African Studies: https://ucisportfolios.pitt.edu/nneomauzoukwu/
Asian Studies Center: https://ucisportfolios.pitt.edu/courtneyyu/
European Studies Center: https://ucisportfolios.pitt.edu/zamora-vargas/
