Students 
Undergraduate Students
Certificates
The ESC/European Union Center of Excellence offers two certificates for undergraduate students regardless of school or major. The Certificate in West European Studies (WES) provides students with strong interests in predominantly Western European history, culture, politics, and languages to complement their major with a regional specialization. The Certificate in European Union Studies (EUS) offers students with academic and professional interests in the European Union an opportunity to study the institution, its history and development, its political and economic policies, and its influence on Europe and the world in depth. Enlargement of the EU has made it an institution of both Western and Eastern Europe.
Either certificate is similar to a minor. It allows students in any major (including the sciences and professional disciplines) to complement that major with an interdisciplinary set of courses related to Western Europe and/or the European Union in addition to proficiency in a relevant language.
The requirements for each certificate are similar but not equivalent. For detailed information on the requirements, please download the attached student guides.
General information on the Undergraduate Certificate Programs:
APPLY NOW for the Undergraduate Certificate Program
Why should I complete a Certificate?
Most importantly, you should do it because you’re interested in Western Europe and/or the European Union! The courses, lectures, study abroad programs, and other activities will open your mind to new cultures, places, and people; it could dramatically alter your college experience, and maybe even your life! With respect to career opportunities, the Certificates provide an official credential to demonstrate that you have a level of proficiency in a language and a specialization in addition to the major. The certificate will serve you well in many fields, as well as will help you stand out as an applicant to a competitive graduate program.
What are the requirements?
The requirements for each certificate are described in detail on the PDF files above. In general terms, the requirements include a foreign language component and a “content” requirement. In addition, the Certificate in West European Studies requires study abroad for students graduating in 2005 and beyond. The Certificate in European Union Studies does not require study abroad, but it includes two “co-curricular activities” requirements that are explained in the student guide.
What types of courses are offered?
A “content” course must include 25% or more content in West Europe or European Union Studies to apply toward the certificate. West European Studies courses are offered in a wide range of departments including classics, economics, English, fine arts, history, political science, philosophy, religious studies, theater arts, and sociology, as well as in the language departments. Some courses in the professional schools are also approved. European Union Studies courses are available in most social science disciplines (political science, economics, history, sociology, etc.) and in business.
Each semester, a list of courses approved for both Certificates can be found in the University’s Schedule of Classes under the heading "Special Programs." In addition, CWES/EUC publishes a list of approved courses, which are available in the CWES/EUC office a week or more prior to the start of the registration period.
Please check out these lists of approved certificate courses for previous semesters and a preliminary list of approved EU Studies courses.
What academic advising is available?
Stephen Lund, the Assistant Director of CWES, is the academic advisor. He helps ensure that students understand each and every graduation requirement and are aware of co-curricular opportunities related to Western Europe and the European Union. He also helps students design a program of interrelated courses according to the student’s interests, career aspirations, and educational goals.
The advisor strongly encourages students to identify and choose at least three of your courses according to a theme. The certificate will be more meaningful to you if you choose courses that related to your personal, professional, or academic interests, rather than randomly choosing courses just because they meet a requirement and overlap with other degree requirements.
In addition, a student will likely to be asked in an interview for graduate school or a position with a prestigious organization about the certificate. While the certificate may help you stand out as a candidate, it will be most useful and impressive if you have a clear rationale for why you completed it. This is particularly true for foreign language (for West European Studies) and political science (for European Union Studies) majors, when the “added value” of the certificate may be questioned because the major and certificate requirements overlap a lot. An interviewer will be impressed with a student who can explain how the certificate complemented his or her major and helped prepare the student for a specific industry or profession. (In contrast, saying that you completed the certificate because it was little additional effort is NOT impressive!)
How often should I meet with the Assistant Director?
In order to obtain maximum benefit from the program, students are encouraged to enroll in the program in their freshman year and to meet with the assistant director each semester. Mr. Lund usually sees students on an appointment basis in 4216 Posvar Hall. Students may make an appointment by calling 412-648-7422 or emailing him at slund@ucis.pitt.edu.
What about study abroad?
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the variety of opportunities to study in Western Europe. Starting with April 2005 graduation, study abroad in Western Europe is required for the Certificate in West European Studies. Study abroad is an integral part of studying a world region and foreign language. Most students who have been abroad assert that it was by far the most meaningful part of their undergraduate education. It is an investment that could be quite significant for future career, intellectual, and personal development.
Although study abroad may be more expensive than study at Pitt, cost doesn’t have to be a deterrent! Financial aid and scholarships are plentiful. Study Abroad scholarships are available through the Study Abroad Office, the Nationality Rooms Office, and through international education organizations such as IES and DIS. In addition, CWES offers the Kessler Fellowship for study abroad in Germany.
The Assistant Director offers students general advice about studying abroad and collects information on popular, innovative, and special themed study abroad programs. EU Studies students may be interested in some of the EU-themed study abroad programs that are available. For more information, and to complete the study abroad contract, he refers students to the Study Abroad Office
Just completed the online application. Now what?
The Assistant Director will email you to set up an appointment to discuss the requirements and your interests and answer your questions. He will also officially admit you on ISIS and add you to the Center’s email distribution lists to receive notices or our lectures and other events. It is YOUR responsibility to enter the code for the certificate program (510968 for West European Studies, 510980 for European Union Studies) on your registration and drop-add forms as your secondary program code from now on!
Contact Information
Stephen Lund, Assistant Director
European Union Center of Excellence and Center for West European Studies
4216 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
412-648-7422
slund@ucis.pitt.edu
