International migration is a large and growing phenomenon. Around 280 million people (or 3.5 percent of the world’s population) now live outside of their home countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that more than 80 million persons worldwide were forcibly displaced from their homes in 2020. Understanding these trends, as well as their drivers and consequences, is critically important to improving policies and programs designed to minimize the impacts linked to such displacement and migration.
Georgetown’s Online Certificate in Global Displacement & Migration Studies offers deep knowledge and information about the different groups of people on the move (including labor migrants, refugees, internally displaced, asylum seekers, and others), as well as the multiple causes and consequences of such movements. It also provides a global overview of displacement and migration numbers and trends, drivers of and policy responses to population movements, and the resulting impacts on origin, transit, and host countries.
The program curriculum analyzes demographic trends and migration dynamics, the particular characteristics of labor migration and displacement, the challenge of integration of migrants into receiving societies, environmental migration and displacement, U.S. immigration policy, and global governance. The course will also cover current and emerging issues of concern, including trafficking, internal displacement, and irregular migration.
Throughout the program, you’ll also examine how research questions are answered in an effort to enhance existing knowledge and improve policies and practices. By the end of the program, you’ll have a deeper understanding of displacement and migration trends, drivers, and repercussions on a global scale.
Ideal for: Mid-career professionals working in the U.S. and internationally
Ideal for
Mid-career professionals working in the U.S. and internationally
Duration: 1 week
Duration
1 week
Tuition: $5,995
Tuition
$5,995
Format: Online
Format
Online
Schedule: Mornings, Mon–Fri
Schedule
Mornings, Mon–Fri
Semester of Entry: Fall, spring
Semester of Entry
Fall, spring
Upon successful completion of the certificate, you’ll be able to:
Interpret the principal causes and drivers of migration
Evaluate global trends and dynamics in migration
Define and discuss the various categories and definitions used in the field of migration, including labor migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, survivors of trafficking, and environmental migrants
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the international legal frameworks and institutions governing different categories of migrants
Describe the primary national, regional, and international actors working with migrants and refugees
Identify the key barriers and opportunities for integration of migrants and refugees
Elucidate the main consequences of economic migrants and forced migration on countries of origin, countries of transit, and countries of destination, including the role of migration in development
Explain the intersection between security concerns and migration
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the major durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons
Apply knowledge of global migration to a specific issues through research and writing of a capstone project
Testimonials from current students and alumni.
In a world where populations are in constant movement, understanding the underlying causes and impacts of displacement and migration is more crucial than ever. Georgetown’s Certificate in Global Displacement and Migration Studies equips you with insights to comprehend the multidimensional aspects of these trends.
Jeffrey Warner
Executive Director of Professional Education
The Georgetown University Institute for the Study of International Migration has a long history of offering courses on migration to mid-career professionals. The Certificate in Global Displacement & Migration Studies is delivered online in a largely synchronous format over one week, supplemented by additional readings and preparation of a capstone project which will be completed outside of class. This format is intended to provide an opportunity for busy professionals to acquire additional expertise on an issue of paramount importance in today’s world.
What Is Live Online Learning?
Live online instruction is enhanced by incorporating various instructional practices and technology tools. Features such as Zoom video conferencing, breakout rooms, and chat allow for real-time interaction and collaboration among learners. Tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Canvas Groups facilitate teamwork and information sharing within the learning community. Polling, surveys, and threaded discussion boards promote active engagement and the expression of opinions. It is important to foster social respect, privacy, and incorporate Jesuit values to create a supportive and inclusive online environment. By utilizing these practices and tools effectively, live online instruction can be engaging, interactive, and conducive to meaningful learning experiences.
Katharine Donato holds the Donald G. Herzberg Chair in International Migration and is Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration in the School of Foreign Service at ... Read more
Elizabeth Ferris
Elizabeth Ferris is Research Professor with the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University. In 2016, she also served as Senior Advisor to the UN General Assembly’s ... Read more
How to Register
Program Prerequisites
Applicants must have at least two years of professional experience or an advanced degree.
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs.
Registration
This certificate is an open-enrollment program. No application is required. Click the "Register Now" button, select your courses, and then click "Add to Cart". Course registration is complete when your payment is processed. You will receive a confirmation email when your payment is received. Please retain the payment confirmation message for your records.
You can combine on-campus and online courses (if available) to complete your certificate. Depending on the certificate program, we may suggest taking courses in a specific order, but this is not a requirement.
Most students register for all courses at the same time and complete their certificate within a few months. However, you may choose to register for courses one by one over time. Once you begin a certificate, you have up to two years from the time you start your first course to complete all required courses.
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native English speakers but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs; however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
Tuition & Funding
Total program tuition is $5,995. Most course materials are included.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
SCS is registered with GoArmyEd.com to accept SF-182 training authorization forms. GoArmyEd.com is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve soldiers to request Tuition Assistance (TA) online. GoArmyEd.com is also the virtual gateway for Army Civilians to apply for their Civilian education, training, and leadership development events.
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.
While you may choose to complete your certificate program in one semester, many programs (but not all) allow up to two years to complete all requirements. As a result, you may choose to register for required and elective courses over several semesters to spread out the cost of tuition over time. We generally offer every course in a program each semester, so you'll have many opportunities to enroll in required and elective courses within the two-year time frame.
Tuition Discounts
Only one tuition discount may be applied at the time of registration. Tuition discounts cannot be combined. Tuition discounts are not applied retroactively. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu with any questions.
Employees of companies that belong to the EdAssist education network may receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses. Contact EdAssist directly to find out if you qualify.
Eligible federal employees across the country receive a 10% scholarship applied to the current tuition rate for all SCS degree programs and professional certificate programs each academic semester. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu for steps to be added to this discount group.
