Graduate Certificate
The Space Studies Graduate Certificate program prepares you to become part of the next generation of leaders who will navigate the rapidly evolving space domain.
This interdisciplinary program unites the university’s expertise across areas including science, technology, policy, commerce and ethics. The certificate is open to graduate students in the School of Foreign Service (SFS) as well as students in approved non-SFS graduate programs.
Certificate overview
By integrating scientific literacy with policy analysis, the space studies graduate certificate will equip you to engage with one of humanity’s most dynamic frontiers and to help shape the future of space exploration and governance.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the certificate program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of space studies through a combination of a foundational course and electives.
To earn the Space Studies Certificate, you must complete the following:
Foundational gateway course
- STIA 4005: Foundations of Space Studies
Four additional electives
Four space studies electives are required, spanning topics such as:
- Astronomy and astrophysics
- Orbital dynamics
- Planetary science
- Space commercialization
- Space diplomacy
- Space law
- Space medicine
- Space security
A number of courses can count toward the certificate if you can exhibit clear content relevance.
For example, you could take a course in Chinese economic development and write a paper or complete a project on Chinese investment in the space domain, which would then allow you to count that course toward the certificate. You could also take a course on medical science and write a paper on radiation’s impact on the body in orbit. Alternatively, in a business course, you could write about space-related commercial enterprises.
Courses you take as part of your graduate program may “double count” for the certificate.
You’re encouraged to consult with Brittany Fried, Space Studies Director of Operations, at Brittany.Fried@georgetown.edu early about courses that may count toward the certificate.