Strategic Trade Certificate

The Certificate in Strategic Trade at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government operates at the intersection of global commerce and international security. This active field addresses the use of trade sanctions, defense, and dual-use trade controls to manage modern security threats. Demand for expertise in strategic trade is expanding in the private sector (trade compliance), government (licensing, enforcement, intelligence), and in higher education (implementation of government programs).

The Schar School Certificate in Strategic Trade will prepare new professions for this environment and help more seasoned professionals update their understanding of the field. Consisting of only five courses, this is an affordable means of advancing your career by earning a credential from one of the top-ranked policy schools in the U.S. 

Program At-a-Glance

  • Completion Requirements: 5 courses (15 credits) listed below
  • Duration: 1 to 1.5 years on average
  • Semester of Entry: fall and spring

Certificate Program Requirements

Schar School certificate students take the same classes as our master's students, choosing from a wide selection of specialized electives taught by renowned faculty who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Students typically earn the certificate in one to one-and-a-half years on average, but with evening classes and a flexible part-time schedule, you can pursue the program at a pace that works for you. The certificate program is comprised of five courses (15 credits), which includes the following:

Required Courses (1 course | 3 credits)

Students are required to take the following:

POGO 732: Strategic Trade Controls

Elective Courses (4 courses | 12 credits)

Select four elective courses of your choosing related to strategic trade. Courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor and approved in advance by the program director. Possible elective courses include:

BIOD 706: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security
BIOD 709: Nonproliferation and Arms Control
BIOD 760: National Security Technology and Policy
GCP 603: Global Trade Relations
GCP 740: Trade and Regulatory Compliance
PUBP 763: Illicit Trade

Apply This Certificate Towards Your Master's

Earn your master's degree faster by starting with a certificate program. Students can apply up to 12 credits from a certificate program toward a Schar School master's degree upon acceptance into a master's program.

Questions?

Have questions about this certificate program? Contact the graduate admissions office.