A minor in International & Global Studies adds a global perspective to any degree. Under the guidance of expert faculty and advisors, you will get an introduction to world cultures, politics, and economics, within the context of globalization. Whether you go on to graduate school, or a career in the U.S. or abroad, you will be well-equipped to address global issues of social justice, human rights, development, health and the environment.

We offer:

• Faculty who have extensive experience with both teaching and research
• Courses in various formats (in person, hybrid and online) that are designed to fit into any schedule
• Interdisciplinary curriculum that can be tailored to your goals and interests
• Professional and faculty advisors who are there to support your learning and guide you to new opportunities

Explore the important ways cultural history reflects and shapes society with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the Cultural History of the Arts. This innovative and flexible degree allows students to study the histories of music and art across cultures and time. By incorporating both musical and art history these connections can be made in deep and nuanced ways. Coursework can be completed on campus, online, or any combination of the two.

This dynamic and adaptable degree program enables students to explore the history and critique of art, music, film, and theater across various university departments at Portland State. For instance, while film history is covered in multiple disciplines, this degree provides the opportunity to engage with these diverse offerings in depth. We investigate how cultural history mirrors and influences societal changes, and by integrating various artistic histories, students can uncover more nuanced and profound connections.

Future cultural historians will not only build a comprehensive understanding of cultural expression but also enhance their analytical and critical thinking abilities. They will learn to interpret primary sources, analyze cultural artifacts, and engage with multiple viewpoints to create detailed narratives that reflect the complexities of human societies. The program fosters a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and equips graduates to navigate the globalized world with greater sensitivity and insight, and prepares students to pursue career opportunities in fields such as education, arts and nonprofit administration.

This is a degree that can be completed online, in person, or a combination of the two.  This program requires 60 credit hours total, of which a minimum of 52 credit hours need to be upper-level courses (300-level or higher). 20 credit hours need to be in a focus area of Art History, Music History, or Theater History.

PSU Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Our Ph.D. in mathematics education prepares you to grow as both an intellectual and practitioner who is committed to improving math education for all students.

Our program strikes a balance between mathematics and mathematics education, with the goal of developing math educators who can become faculty members in colleges and universities, curriculum specialists or supervisors in middle or high schools, mathematics specialists in state or local departments of education, or education specialists working in the private sector.

We offer a strong foundation in research and teaching, hands-on experience collaborating with faculty and community partners on impactful research projects, and support from peer mentors and accessible faculty. Most of our alumni go into academic positions and have been successful at securing funding to continue their research.

About the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics

The Fariborz Maseeh Department of Mathematics and Statistics is dedicated to excellence in research and teaching in mathematics, statistics, and mathematics education. Guided by the mission of Portland State University and by the principles of disciplinary excellence and cross-disciplinary engagement, we are particularly committed to building expertise and providing leadership in such areas as applied and computational mathematics and statistics and mathematics education.

The Middle East is a geopolitical anchor to our understanding of current world affairs. This vast region, encompassing everything from North Africa to Central Asia, plays a vital role in global political, social, cultural, and economic development. Natural disasters, internal strife, energy and resource issues in the Middle East are best understood by knowing the region’s history and its present.  The Middle East Studies certificate in the Department of International & Global Studies offers students an interdisciplinary perspective on this critical world region, and affords a competitive advantage across a wide range of professional opportunities.

Students will draw upon multiple perspectives to analyze the diverse historical, political, economic, linguistic, and cultural experiences and values that exist in the Middle East and understand the legacy of colonialism and imperialism within the region and how it continues to shape conflicts, crises, and social issues.

This graduate certificate in Emergency Management and Community Resilience is designed to equip leaders to build more resilient communities and systems while serving the world in this critical time of need. The Emergency Management and Community Resilience curriculum incorporates a multitude of fields, ranging from anthropology to urban planning to communication. The program’s transdisciplinary nature pushes our students to examine issues from multiple perspectives and equips them with the skills and the knowledge to create a more resilient, just future. With a focus on critical assessment, we strive to identify equitable pathways for informed resilience work. Placing a premium on community engagement, sustainability, inclusion and equity, and applied learning, this is a program built to address the needs of all people.

Among its distinctive features, our Emergency Management and Community Resilience graduate certificate degree offers:

• an 18-credit curriculum, thoughtfully designed by experts in anthropology, communication, geography, geology, public administration, urban planning, and other fields
• the chance to study in an epicenter of urban and rural opportunity, surrounded by volcanoes, fault lines, forests, and the coast
• energetic and approachable faculty experts, with ambitious research portfolios and diverse perspectives on resilience

Environmental geologists are increasingly in demand to help solve environmental problems from drinking water supplies and subsurface contaminant transport to the effects of climate and land-use change on wetland resources. With Portland State's graduate certificate in Environmental Geology, you'll be able to apply your geologic knowledge to address the myriad of land and water use issues facing our world today.

Whether you're already a practicing geologist wanting to boost your credentials or you're a post-baccalaureate student interested in obtaining skills in environmental geology, our program can help accelerate your career.

Learn how to analyze and visualize data in ways that can answer big questions and solve complex problems with Portland State's graduate programs in geographic information systems and science (GIS). Our program equips you with the hands-on geospatial training and the technical knowledge you need to successfully become a GIS professional or advance your GIS career. 

We offer both a master's degree in Geographic Information Science and a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems. 

You can:

• Jump into the master's program right away.
• Earn the certificate as a standalone credential or pair it with another master's or doctoral degree.
• Apply 100% of the certificate credits toward the master's in GIS if you choose to continue your education.
• Earn a bachelor's in geography and a master's in GIS in as little as five years with our accelerated bachelor's plus master's program.

There is high demand for advanced, graduate-level GIS training from employers across the private and public sectors. When you graduate from Portland State, you'll be well-positioned for GIS jobs in a variety of fields including environmental management, urban planning, government, business, emergency preparedness and response, and public health. 

The graduate certificate introduces you to the design and application of GIS technology, learn more about admission to the graduate certificate program. For those wanting to advance their GIS careers, the master's degree provides additional training for applying GIS knowledge and skills in real-world applications and for developing specialized knowledge that complements GIS.

Admission Details

Learn more about admission to the Geographic Information Science (GIS) Master's and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Graduate Certificate.

Africa has undergone rapid political, economic, and social changes over the past several decades since most of the continent freed itself from European colonialism. In African Studies, you will learn about the continent’s vast and powerful empires prior to colonization and explore themes related to the continent’s history, politics, people, economy, and culture. Students will examine global disparities and the challenges facing the African continent, including unequal development, environmental degradation, and inequity in access to democratic rights, and how social movements are confronting these challenges. The African Studies certificate will equip you with both a breadth and depth of knowledge about contemporary Africa.

From assessing a new development site for the potential for flooding, earthquakes or other ground instability to shoring up a site after it closes down, demand for engineering geologists is only expected to grow in the next decade. With PSU's graduate certificate in Engineering Geology, you can upgrade your engineering credentials and take your career to the next level.

Our flexible certificate is designed for both practicing geologists looking to gain additional skills and expertise in engineering geology as well as post-baccalaureate students who are working toward a graduate degree.

Gain the quantitative analytical skills and software proficiency real estate employers are looking for.

Real estate finance skills are in high demand, and finance positions in commercial real estate are among the highest paid. PSU's Real Estate Investment and Finance Graduate Certificate program sets you up for career advancement by offering fundamental concepts, analytical techniques and software proficiency for commercial real estate investment and finance.

The certificate is designed for professionals working in commercial real estate, and for those who are interested in pivoting into the field. It can be earned as a stand-alone credential or paired with PSU’s Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE), Master of Science in Finance or The Portland MBA to specialize your skillset. It’s also a great foundational first step toward the MSRE with potentially all of the certificate credits shared between the two credentials.