Graduate Certificates
Graduate students in the Department of English have the opportunity to earn certificates in fields ranging from critical theory and digital studies to women’s studies and African American studies.
Browse the full range of UMD graduate certificates.
Critical Theory Certificate
The graduate certificate in critical theory is an integrated curriculum offering students the opportunity to gain and showcase expertise in the interdisciplinary field of critical theory. Students enrolled for the M.A., M.F.A. or Ph.D. degree within any department at the University of Maryland, College Park may apply to participate. The certificate is administered through the Department of English and the coordinator is John Drabinski (jdrab@umd.edu).
The certificate is earned by successful completion of an 18-credit curriculum which includes the requirements listed below and on this worksheet.
(A) An Introductory Course in Critical Theory (3 credits)
(B) Two Theory Seminars (6 credits)
(C) Two Topics in Theory Courses (6 credits)
(D) Colloquium in Critical Theory (1 credit for each of 3 semesters)
(E) Minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in Certificate Courses
Contact John Drabinski (jdrab@umd.edu) to apply.
Digital Studies Certificate
The graduate certificate in digital studies in the arts and humanities (DSAH) offers students a chance to combine the critical study of new forms of digital media and identity with creative and analytical practices utilizing digital media as well as the application of computational tools and techniques to traditional areas of humanistic study. While it is often hands-on or applied, digital studies also encourages—indeed demands—work that is primarily critical, theoretical or experimental in nature. The certificate is administered through the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities (MITH), and the program coordinator is Catherine Knight Steele in the Department of Communication (cksteele@umd.edu).
The certificate is earned by successful completion of a 15-credit curriculum including an introductory course, electives and a colloquium.
Women’s Studies Certificate
The graduate certificate in women’s studies requires a minimum of 18 credit hours, including a core requirement of nine credit hours of women’s studies courses. This will provide students with an integrative and interdisciplinary academic encounter with the contributions and challenges of feminist inquiry. The remaining 9 credits will be chosen, in consultation with the student’s women’s studies graduate advisor, from elective courses that will support the student’s particular research specialty. The certificate is administered through the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
African American Studies Certificate
The graduate certificate in African American studies provides an excellent opportunity to bring together African American history and culture with the specialized skills of policy analysis and research. The program is a 21 credit-hour complementary study component which offers students an excellent opportunity to develop a specialization in African American issues while pursuing a graduate degree in another field. Students may select a cultural and social analysis concentration or public policy concentration. The certificate is administered through the Department of African American Studies.