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Career Area: Liberal Arts & Sciences
Program: Global and Intercultural Studies
Campus(es): Winona/Red Wing/Online

Minnesota State College Southeast's 18-credit Global and Intercultural Studies certificate is designed to enhance your ability to communicate, work, and thrive in an increasingly diverse society.

Adding this credential to a career, trade, or technical program will help you become more employable and better prepared for today's workforce.

This cross-disciplinary certificate surveys information and insights from a variety of courses in communication, English, geography, history, humanities, political science, psychology, sociology, and world languages to develop the skills needed to interact in business, healthcare, and education.

To design your program, you will select two classes in each of three tiers: Communication, Human & Social Behavior, and Global History & Culture. You can choose classes emphasizing the multicultural United States or classes focusing on a wider global scope.

All graduates will achieve higher levels of verbal and written communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills necessary to thrive in the contemporary work world.

Apply now for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast

Download the Program Plan

Courses

Global and Intercultural Studies Certificate

A total of 18 credits is required to complete the certificate. You must select 2 classes (6 credits) in each of three tiers:

  • Tier One: Communication
  • Tier Two: Human & Social Behavior
  • Tier Three: Global History & Culture

Tier One: Communication

Take two courses from the list below for a total of 6 credits.

  • COMM1228 - Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
  • COMM1420 - Social Media Communications (3 credits)
  • ENGL1265 - Multicultural Literature (3 credits)
  • ENGL1365 - Survey of British Literature (3 credits)
  • MCOM1100 - Introduction to Mass Communications (3 credits)
  • SPAN1240 - Beginning Spanish I* (4 credits)
  • SPAN1342 - Beginning Spanish II* (4 credits)

*Only one Spanish course can be counted in Tier One. If a Spanish course is taken, Tier One will total 7 credits (total of 19 credits for the certificate).

Tier Two: Human & Social Behavior

Take two courses from the list below for a total of 6 credits.

  • HUMA1125 - Moral Problems (3 credits)
  • POLS1130 - World Politics (3 credits)
  • PSYC2531 - Social Psychology (3 credits)
  • SOCS1205 - Sociology of the Family (3 credits)
  • SOCS2545 - Diversity and Social Change (3 credits)

Tier Three: Global History & Culture

Take two courses from the list below for a total of 6 credits.

  • FREN1230 - French Culture (3 credits)
  • GEOG1115 - World Regional Geography (3 credits)
  • HIST1228 - World Civilization to 1500 (3 credits)
  • HUMA1430 - Exploring World Cultures (3 credits)
  • HUMA1435 - Multicultural America (3 credits)
  • HUMA1450 - World Religions (3 credits)
  • SPAN1230 - Introduction to Hispanic Cultures (3 credits)

Estimated Costs for this Major

Approximate Tuition/Fees:$3,834
Minimum Tool Cost:N/A
Books/Supplies:$240
Estimated Total:$4,074
 

 

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities

  • Business Management
  • Human Resources
  • International Affairs
  • Law and Advocacy
  • Arts, Media, Journalism
  • Non-Profit Management
  • International Business

Career Information

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.

Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of multiculturalism and its importance in society and the workforce.
  2. Identify the importance of addressing and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  3. Develop communication and critical thinking skills appropriate for a global workplace and society.

Highlights

  • Certificate can be completed entirely online
  • Certificate can lead to earning an associate of arts degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences
  • Graduates develop industry relevant skills in communication, human/social behavior and global history & culture
  • Available classes span a variety of liberal arts and sciences courses

Instructors

Liberal Arts and Sciences courses are taught by our talented and dedicated instructors, all with your success in mind. All MSC Southeast Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty have earned a master's degree or higher. See individual instructor biographies below.

George Alsop
B.S., Cell Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Ph.D., Molecular and Cellular Biology, Oregon State University

Bradley Alsop has been a biology instructor at MSC Southeast since 2004. He currently lives in Red Wing with his wife and son where he enjoys camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Peter Beurskens
B.A., English, University of Northern Iowa
M.A., English, University of Northern Colorado

Pete Beurskens has taught college writing and literature since 1990 (in Iowa, Colorado, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) and has published a number of articles, poems, and essays in regional and national publications. He has also served as newsletter editor for the Minnesota Association of Scholars and has worked as a salesman, non-profit director, grant writer, and forest fire fighter. In addition, he teaches writing and great books courses to homeschool students. Mr. Beurskens enjoys hunting, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hiking with his family. He lives on a hobby farm in western Wisconsin.
Gregory Cady
M.S., Criminal Justice, St. Cloud State University
B.E.S., Sociology and Criminal Justice, St. Cloud State University
Greg Cady began teaching at MSC Southeast as an adjunct instructor in 2004, moving to a full-time tenure track position in 2007. Prior to joining the teaching team, he dedicated 18 years in various positions within the criminal justice profession in California and Minnesota. Greg is a retired commissioned officer from the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service.
LeAnn Cady
B.S., Business Education, University of North Dakota
M.S., Business Education, Southern New Hampshire University
Graduate Certificate - Education Technology
Graduate Certificate - Digital Educator

LeAnn Cady joined MSC Southeast in 2008 as a Computer Applications Instructor for the Department of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Her experience has included developing and teaching a variety of business and computer application courses, including courses in the Microsoft Office suite, digital creative technologies, and social media applications. She has written numerous supplements in her former role as a contributing textbook author and has served as a custom computer instructor at Southeast for the past decade. Although currently living in Red Wing, she and her husband enjoy summertime RV travel to national parks and outdoor activities in nature, such as hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Cynthia Ciszewski
B.A. English, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
M.A. English Language and Literature, Winona State University

Cindy Ciszewski came to MSC Southeast in 2010 as a member of the English faculty. Before that, she taught College Reading and Writing at Winona State University and worked in their Writing Center. She has also taught Film and American History at Western Technical College in La Crosse. In her free time, Cindy enjoys reading (of course, she’s an English major), running, cooking, antiquing, and flower gardening. Her favorite time of all, though, is that spent “up-north” with her husband and two daughters.
Rachel Daley
Rachel Daley has earned her M.A. in Education from Concordia University. After obtaining an A.S. degree at MSC Southeast, Rachel proceeded to SMSU to obtain a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to teaching at MSC Southeast since 2010, her career experiences include family childcare, nanny, director of religious education, childcare trainer, preschool teacher, foster parent, and substitute.
Tamra Graham
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law
B.A., Music, University of Alaska-Anchorage
Tamra Graham was a President's Scholar at William Mitchell College of Law. She has worked in both the public and private legal sectors. Since 2005, she has taught political science, philosophy, and criminal justice courses MSC Southeast. She was raised in Alaska and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and many outdoor activities, including geocaching.
Jon Kugel
B.A. Mathematics, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
M.S. Mathematics Education, Northern Illinois University

Jon Kugel has been with MSCS since 2017. After earning his Master's degree, Jon was hired to teach Mathematics by Northern Illinois University. During his time at NIU, he obtained a Graduate Student of the Year award as well as multiple Most Valuable Professor awards. Being a native of Winona, Jon enjoys fishing, hiking, and camping with his family, but his main passion (besides Math of course) is disc golf. Jon joined the Professional Disc Golf Association in 2010 and was rated one of the top ten amateur disc golfers in Illinois.
Erik Lee
B.A., French, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.A., English, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Erik Sigurd Lee has taught a combination of French, English, English as a Second Language, and communications courses since 1994 in France, Taiwan, Brazil, and the U.S. He has worked at private and public schools at both the high school and college levels. He continues to study Western literature and to travel to Europe and South America for his professional development and personal enjoyment.
Carrie Maynard-Allen
B.A., English/Psychology, University of South Dakota
M.A., English/Creative Writing, University of South Dakota
M.A., Sociology, University of South Dakota
M.A., Theological Studies/Pastoral Care, Bethel Seminary

Carrie Maynard-Allen has taught a variety of courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Marriage and Family, Moral Problems, English Essentials I & II, and College Writing I at Southeast since 2006. In addition, she has team-taught Introduction to Literature and Creative Writing with colleague Pete Beurskens. She has also served as a professional tutor at the Learning Resource Center (LRC) focusing on numerous subjects including English, sociology, psychology, and moral problems, along with helping students build resumes and application essays for scholarships. Carrie is also a published poet who loves to create one-of-a-kind natural gemstone earrings and necklaces in her spare time. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Michael, and their three cats: Sam, Sophie, and Sasha.
Elizabeth (Liz) Micheel
Liz Micheel has been on the faculty of MSC Southeast since 2010. She left her seasonal position as a wildland firefighter in Idaho in 2009 to begin a career as a teacher. Liz continues to do wildland firefighting in the summer and prescribed burning locally in the spring. She is actively involved in the community in Sustain Winona and as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Angel Mytas

B.S., Psychology and Human Development, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
M.A.E., Educational Psychology, University of Northern Iowa

Angel Mytas has been teaching psychology since 2004. She loves all areas of psychology but has special interests in the areas of Health Psychology, Positive Psychology and Lifespan Psychology. She lives in Cashton, Wisconsin and spends most of her free time with her two sons Quinn and Isaiah and her daughter Eliza as well as her partner Vince and their boisterous labradoodle. She enjoys camping, swimming and reading dystopian fiction.

Leah Schnaith
Leah Schnaith has a B.A. in Chemistry from St. Olaf College and was awarded a Ph.D. in Bio-Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has been a chemistry instructor at the college several years and has also taught math. She has worked as a chemistry and math tutor in the Learning Resource Center. Prior to that, she worked in collaboration with the Red Wing School District in math and science enrichment.
Christopher Stout
B.S., Theology, Crossroads College
M.A., History, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Chris Stout has been teaching a wide range of history and culture classes at Southeast at both campuses and online since 2007. Before coming to Winona, Chris taught middle school, high school, and college in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota region for four years. His graduate research focused on southeastern Minnesota and the history of mental illness, which adds a great local perspective to his history classes. He also tries to include Bruce Springsteen in every class period. Chris has two boys and an adorable wife and has lived in Southeast Minnesota for the past 20 years.
Robert Stuber
B.A., English, Winona State University
M.A., English, Winona State University

Robert Stuber has taught English and communications courses at Southeast, Winona State University, and St. Mary's University of Minnesota; tutored at Winona State University's Writing Center; and served as the communications manager for a Winona company. His graduate studies focused on the plays of August Wilson, whose cycle of ten plays attempts to chronicle the lives of African Americans through the Twentieth Century. Additionally, he is a local free-lance live sound engineer, plays guitar and mandolin-family instruments for fun, and occasionally performs in the Winona area.
Richard Swanson
B.S. Geology, Winona State University
M.A. Geography, Hunter College of the City University of New York

Rich Swanson began teaching part time at Southeast in the fall of 2010 and currently teaches Physical Geography and World Regional Geography. He has spent time working for the U.S. Military, the oil industry, the Department of Agriculture's Soil Survey Program, and is currently working as a Research Analyst for a demographic consulting company based in the Twin Cities. He was raised in Wabasha, but has lived all across the U.S. including, California, Illinois, Alaska, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Colorado and Washington. In his spare time Rich enjoys building wooden boats, running, and pretending like he can play his guitar.
Amy Whitcomb
M.S., Psychology, Western Illinois University
B.A., Psychology, Iowa Wesleyan College
A.A., Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa
An Iowa native, Amy Whitcomb has been teaching psychology since 1999, and began teaching at MSC Southeast in the fall of 2010. In the past, she has done counseling and social work, but decided she loved teaching far more than trying to save the world. While she is interested in most areas of psychology and criminal justice, social psychology and criminology are her favorites. In her spare time, she likes reading true crime accounts, watching true crime shows, listening to opera and classic rock, and spending time with her children. She has become an excellent cook, but remains unfulfilled by it.
Alice Zimmer
B.A., Mathematics, Winona State University
M.A., Mathematics, Winona State University

Alice Zimmer teaches mathematics at the college and has done extensive industry-specific curriculum development as well as taught mathematics applications onsite at local industries. She is an active community volunteer and a strong advocate for the development of career opportunities for rural students, especially in the areas of mathematics and nanotechnology. She has written successful college and community grants and is one of the founding board members of the Rushford Institute for Nanotechnology. Alice enjoys reading non-fiction and Victorian England novels, keeping up with world news, planting flowers, watching professional boxing and UFC mixed martial arts, attending live theater, and spending time with her friends and family, including her daughter-in-law and her two sons.

Media

 

Other Majors in the Liberal Arts and Sciences program

Liberal Arts and Sciences AA