The Program

The Global Intercultural Communication Certificate (GICC) is a 15–18 credit undergraduate certificate designed to prepare students for meaningful engagement across linguistic and cultural differences. Students build proficiency in one world language while developing the ability to analyze cultural norms, values, practices, and perspectives, including their own. Through intercultural communication coursework, language study, experiential or area studies learning, and a culminating capstone project, students learn to move beyond surface-level cultural comparisons and engage effectively in academic, professional, and global contexts. Participating languages include Arabic, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Certificate Requirements

To be awarded the Global Intercultural Communication Certificate, students must complete at least 15 credits in residence, including:

• LLC 125: Intercultural Communication: Language and Identity
  4 credits; fulfills the DGSB General Education requirement.
• Sequential world language coursework in one language
  Students complete three sequential world language courses, typically amounting to 9 credits, beginning at the appropriate proficiency level. For languages with complex scripts and structures, such as Arabic, Korean, and Japanese, students complete two intensive sequential language courses, amounting to 12 language credits. Language courses must be taken in residence; transfer language courses taken at another institution cannot be accepted toward the certificate. Approved study abroad language courses may count toward this requirement.
• Experiential learning or area studies coursework
  Students complete an intercultural learning experience such as study abroad, an internship, volunteer work, or community engagement connected to the target language and culture. When experiential learning is not feasible, students may complete an approved area studies course.
• Capstone Project / Independent Study
  2 credits, completed with a Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC) faculty member whose expertise aligns with the student’s chosen language and culture. The capstone allows students to reflect on and synthesize their language study, intercultural learning, and experiential or area studies work.

Certificate Objectives / Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Global Intercultural Communication Certificate will be able to:

• Reflect on and critically analyze cultural norms, values, and biases, including their own and those of others.
• Communicate in a non-native language at an intermediate level or higher, as assessed by the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
• Evaluate the practices, products, and perspectives of another linguistic and cultural community from an informed, insider perspective.
• Move beyond stereotypes and surface-level cultural comparisons by developing deeper awareness of how cultural meanings, values, and assumptions shape communication.
• Apply intercultural communication skills in academic, professional, experiential, or community-based contexts, such as study abroad, internships, volunteer work, service learning, or area studies coursework.