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Russian and East European Studies ,Certificate

Russian and East European Studies, Certificate

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Russian and East European Studies

Poland, Romania, Russia, Slavic, Soviet, Stalin, Ukraine

Explore the vast and culturally diverse regions of Russia, East Europe and Eurasia. A multifaceted plan of study offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture. Take advantage of study abroad opportunities to learn an in-demand but less commonly taught language such as Ukrainian, Turkish or Persian.

Program description

The certificate program in Russian and East European studies encourages students to develop competency in Russian or another East European or Eurasian language as well as the culture and politics of the region.

Coursework leading to the certificate is offered by outstanding faculty members in diverse fields of study including architecture, economics, film studies, geography, history, international business, literature, music, political science and religious studies.

A one-credit, student-led capstone course is completed in the student's junior or senior year; with the support of an advisor, students can write a research paper on the Russian and East European studies topic of their choice, prepare a writing sample or a graduate school application, or work on a creative project.

A student with a major in any school or department may pursue this certificate and develop a personalized plan of study in cooperation with an advisor at The Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Curriculum
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Degree requirements

The requirements for the Russian and East European studies certificate are 22 credit hours of Russian or another Eurasian or East European language and 30 credit hours in Russian, East European and Eurasian area-related course work, of which at least 24 credit hours are upper-division.

At least three disciplines must be represented in the area-related course work, and at least 12 credit hours must be outside the School of International Letters and Cultures (i.e., non-RUS, SLC and SLV courses). Fulfillment of these requirements is certified by the Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies and is recognized on the transcript as a certificate in Russian and East European studies. The purpose of this undergraduate certificate program is to encourage students majoring in a chosen discipline to develop special competency in Russian, Eurasian or East European languages and area studies. A student with a major in any school or department may pursue this certificate and develop a personalized plan of study in cooperation with an advisor in the Melikian Center.

A "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better is required in all upper-division course work.

Depending upon a student's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Additional requirements:

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Analyze or examine a current or historical issue in Russia, Eastern Europe or Eurasia; utilize and evaluate sources of information on the issue; and construct an argument or produce a creative project about the issue.
  • Demonstrate a high degree of competency, defined as the ability to use language in real world situations in a manner deemed appropriate by native speakers and instructors of the language, in a REES language.
Global opportunities
Global experience

The Critical Languages Institute at ASU's The Melikian Center is a national training institute for less commonly taught languages. It offers summer intensive courses and study abroad programs around the world. Languages taught include Albanian, Armenian, Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, Kazakh, Macedonian, Persian/Farsi, Polish, Russian, Tatar, Turkish, Ukrainian and Uzbek.

Specially designed summer intensive programs on campus prepare students --- even beginners --- to function competently in the language they are learning when they go abroad. Once overseas, students live the language as they participate in family life, join sports and gaming clubs, sing in choirs, participate in neighborhood projects, and otherwise actively immerse themselves in the culture.

Career opportunities

Students who complete the Russian and East European studies certificate enhance their prospects for highly competitive study abroad scholarships, including Fulbright, Boren and Critical Language Scholarship Program, and for selective graduate programs. Certificate holders may also qualify for distinct internships and entry-level government employment opportunities at agencies such as the U.S. Department of State and the National Security Agency.

Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. See more information and eligibility requirements on the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.

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