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. 

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admission Policies. Participants must be admitted to a certificate program. Admission requirements are the same as those for the master's programs and may be found with Schar Admissions.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

Termination from Program

Students admitted to a Schar program will be terminated from the program upon receiving one grade of F and are no longer eligible to take courses in the school. Per university regulation, students are terminated from the university after accumulating grades of F in two courses or 9 credits of unsatisfactory grades in graduate courses. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.

Banner Code: PP-CERG-STTR

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 15

This certificate may be pursued on a part-time basis only.

Required Courses

POGO 732Strategic Trade Controls3

Electives

Select 12 credits from the following courses:12
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons Policy and Security
Nonproliferation and Arms Control
National Security Technology and Policy
Microeconomics and Trade Policy
Global Trade Relations
Trade and Regulatory Compliance
Topics in Policy and Government 1
National Security Law and Public Policy
Illicit Trade
Total Credits12