School of Gender, Race & Nations

GRN Graduate Certificate

Student in cap and gown for graduation ceremony.

The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Race & Nations serves the needs of an array of students and professionals in fields such as public policy, education, urban studies, social work, counseling, and other disciplines across the social sciences and humanities. Currently admitted students can apply to add the certificate to any graduate program at Portland State or it can be taken as a stand-alone program.

The SGRN Graduate Certificate Program provides knowledge and skills for students and professionals to better serve their target populations and communities through activist, scholarly, and applied approaches. The program can enhance the interdisciplinary scope of graduate study for students and professionals whose careers can benefit from pursuing coursework on race, immigration, gender, sexuality, nationality, Indigeneity, power, intersectionality, and social justice.

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Why Pursue Our Grad Certificate?

Through an activist, scholarly, and applied focus, our certificate in Gender, Race, and Nations serves the needs of an array of professionals whose work confronts issues of race, immigration, gender, sexuality, nationality, Indigeneity, identity, power, intersectionality, and social justice.

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Certificate Requirements

The graduate certificate consists of 24 credits:

Required Courses (8 credits)

  • GRN 515 - Constructions of Power and Knowledge
  • GRN 520 - Critical and Decolonizing Research Methodologies

Elective Courses (16 credits)

  • Courses across all four units in the School of Gender, Race and Nations, as well as selected courses from other programs. For more information on pre-approved elective courses that you can braid into your certificate, schedule an appointment with our program advisor, Professor Miriam Abelson.

What You'll Learn

The overall focus of the certificate is to address a number of pressing concerns confronting students in the 21st century. The GRN certificate will enable you to:

  • Promote innovative and nontraditional epistemological and methodological approaches to learning that are consistent with the communities served by some of the students;
  • Expand critical analytical frameworks of race, gender, and nations to better illuminate the interconnected and complex issues of today's society;
  • Engage in community-based research projects that incorporate Portland’s growing diversity; and
  • Develop collaborative leadership skills that better address diversity and equity initiatives.

How to Apply

Applications Deadlines, Winter - November 1, Spring - February 1, Summer - May 1, Fall - July 1

If you're a current PSU graduate student or new to graduate studies at PSU:

The application process has never been easier. You can apply online through the PSU Graduate School. You'll need:

  • Statement of purpose (500 words) explaining your reasons for choosing to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Gender, Race, and Nations. Based on your previous coursework and experiences, how will this certificate specifically further your personal and professional journey?
  • An unofficial transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended;
  • Letter of Recommendation from one academic (or other) professional who can comment on your academic performance or attest to your skills as they pertain to your selected program of study; 
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-Academic scores (for applicants whose first language is not English); and
  • No Application fee when applying for the GRN certificate.

Once the admissions committee has made a recommendation decision regarding your application, the form will be processed by the PSU Graduate School and you will receive an electronic notification of acceptance.