Eligibility and Criteria
The GGCC is open to any UH graduate student who is not facing any disciplinary action and is in good academic standing as reflected by a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above. UH-graduate students who completed the GCC program while a UH undergrad are eligible to complete the GGCC but we will only accept global learning activities performed after completing their undergraduate degree. The GGCC program utilizes the same five categories as the GCC: global courses, learning abroad, language proficiency, global scholarly work, and intercultural activities. The student needs to earn at least 10 out of a possible 16 points in any of the categories below in order to receive the GGCC. After earning 10 points, the student is also required to complete a Capstone. It is not required for students to earn points in every category, but the program limits the number of points under each category to encourage a holistic global learning experience. In addition, students may not ‘double-dip’ points. For example, students may not earn points for both learning abroad and coursework taken abroad.
Global Courses (2 or 4 points)
Global Courses include those that allow the student to increase global knowledge and skills, gain a greater understanding of different cultures, and explore global issues or multicultural/diversity topics. For example, global courses may contain international themes and sources, cross-country comparisons, current global events, or assignments requiring reflection of diversity perspectives. Under the Global Courses category, students can earn a point for completing a global course with a B grade or higher (1 point per course up to 2 points for taking two global courses). For any global graduate course only offered pass/fail, we will accept a passing grade. Or students may earn 4 points for a globally-focused degree program or graduate certificate program.
A list of approved global courses, degree programs and certificate programs can be found on the Institute for Global Engagement website: https://uh.edu/provost/university/global/.
Learning Abroad (2 or 4 points)
Under the Learning Abroad category, students can earn 2 points for participating in a learning abroad experience that is 7 days or less or 4 points for a learning abroad experience that is 8 days or more. Learning Abroad experiences accepted under this category include those with a UH academic program overseas or with a documented professional activity abroad through an affiliated organization such as studying, researching, volunteering, or interning abroad. For graduate students under the GGCC program, we will also accept past work or teach abroad experience performed during the time after college and before graduate school, and will grant points for attending or presenting at a conference abroad.
Language Proficiency (2 or 4 points)
Under the Language Proficiency category, students can earn points either through language coursework, a placement exam, or a language-focused degree program or graduate certificate program. Students can earn a point by completing one language course with a B grade or higher (1 point per course up to 2 points for taking two language courses). For any language graduate course only offered pass/fail, we will accept a passing grade. For students who are already proficient in another language, they can earn 2 points by submitting proof of language proficiency either with a placement exam score or written documentation from a UH faculty or staff member. Or students may earn 4 points for enrolling in a language-focused degree program or graduate certificate program.
Global Scholarly Work (1 or 2 points)
Under the Global Scholarly Work category, students can earn points by attending global events or by completing global scholarly work. Global events include those that are academic in nature that allow student to increase their global or cultural diversity knowledge such as guest lectures, conferences, seminars, trainings, or workshops. Global scholarly work includes any of the following academic related activities with a global or multicultural focus: performing research, presenting at a conference, participating in an international competition or publishing a scholarly work. Students can earn .5 pts for attending any global event with written proof of attendance or 1 point for attending two global scholarly work events. Alternatively, students can earn 2 points if they complete Global Scholarly Work. Institute for Global Engagement staff will review the student documentation and determine if a global event or global scholarly work topic meets the program requirements.
Intercultural Activities (1 or 2 points)
Under the Intercultural Activities category, students can earn points by participating in intercultural activities or through global leadership experiences. Intercultural Activities can be defined activities that have a global or multicultural focus that are not formally academic in nature and allows the student to learn about another culture, such as cultural performances, fairs, festivals, film screenings, art showings, etc. Global leadership experiences include activities performed outside of the classroom with a global or multicultural focus (such as work, internship, volunteer, or serving as an officer in an organization) that allow the student to gain leadership skills, and increase their intercultural competency by working with people from different backgrounds. Students can earn .5 pts for attending any intercultural activity with written proof of attendance or 1 point for attending two intercultural activities. Alternatively, students can earn 2 points by completing a global learning experience. Institute for Global Engagement staff will review the student documentation and determine if an intercultural activity or global leadership experience meets the program requirements.
GGCC Capstone
Similar to the GCC program, students will be required to complete a Capstone once they have earned the minimum of 10 points. However, graduate students will have two options for the Capstone requirement. For both options, students should have the opportunity to reflect on their global learning experiences and demonstrate what they have learned.
- Graduate students completing the GGCC can register to attend an in-person or virtual Capstone Symposium where they will be asked to prepare a PowerPoint and present to their peers on their global learning experiences.
- In lieu of a presentation during an in-person Capstone, graduate students completing the GGCC may also submit a 5-page Capstone reflection paper responding to reflection questions sent by the Institute for Global Engagement Office.
Administration/Policies/Procedures
The GGCC program is housed in the Institute for Global Engagement Office. Graduate students who are interested in participating in the program should follow these steps: Register on the program website (https://uh.edu/provost/university/global/) and join the listserv, complete global learning activities and earn a minimum of 10 points, submit a Verification of Completion form and required documentation, and then complete a Capstone. Staff will be available for advising support throughout the process.
Each semester, the staff will review documentation for all GGCC candidates and verify that it meets the program requirements. For those that meet the criteria, the staff will send the GGCC graduate names and documentation to the Registrar to process the certificates and transcript notations, and the Registrar will charge each student a $25 processing fee.