Certificate Programs Broaden PhD Training

Beginning in late fall of 2016, PhD students could apply to take courses in a department outside their own to complete a certificate program.

Brendan Lambert, a doctoral student in Comparative Literature, recently finished his certificate with the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) and describes it as “a fantastic opportunity to broaden one’s doctoral training and to become more interdisciplinary in one’s thinking.”

Students may choose to do the extra courses to expand their knowledge, as well as to obtain credentials that will further distinguish them from other candidates pursuing similar academic positions.

“By providing a formal certificate program, CLACS is working to offer students a path to read, research and teach on this globally important region in context,” says Jessaca Leinaweaver, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Lambert chose CLACS because he wanted to pursue a variety of courses outside his home department to broaden his knowledge of Latin America. “The certificate program allowed me to create my own specialized interdisciplinary course of study that fit with my literature training but focused more on the history, politics and economics of the region,” he says.

Violet Cavicchi, a PhD student in Ethnomusicology, also in the CLACS certificate program, has been able to complete coursework in Latin American studies, history and anthropology to complement her Latin America-focused music courses in her home department. This opportunity allows her to highlight the cross-disciplinary nature of her coursework and integrate her dissertation research in Peru with trends across the region.

As Leinaweaver explains, “our aim is to encourage and support students as they develop a greater depth of knowledge about how their research site and time period are embedded in broader regional cultures, politics and histories,” which echoes what Lambert and Cavicchi have said drew them to the program.

Another benefit to obtaining a Certificate is the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other graduate students across departments and programs. CLACS also offers students the opportunity to present their research during a yearly “Back from the Field” event. Lambert says, “for me, this was a fantastic way to receive feedback from other CLACS concentrators and faculty, and to ask my own questions of my colleagues’ work.”

Leinaweaver also adds that offering a Certificate lets the “Center highlight very clearly what it does for graduate students - many centers have faculty affiliates offering a wide range of excellent courses.” For example, Cavicchi will teach a Latin American and Caribbean Studies course in the fall -- cross listed with Music -- on Latinx Music in the U.S.

Each year, more certificate options become available and each have their own application and completion requirements. Once completed, the certificate program is included on the transcript with a notation indicating the field of advanced study.