Graduate Certificate

REES Graduate Certificate Worksheet

The Program requires:

• Core Colloquium. REEES 601, REES Graduate Core Colloquium. Required for all certificate students for one year, including one fall semester and one winter semester; ideally during the first year after joining program. This ongoing course draws on and addresses area-related issues, including programs (Noon Lectures and Center events); Center “gateway” and other course lectures; guest speakers; with occasional separate meetings on development and current state of REES. All students are expected to attend CREES Noon Lectures. (2 credits)
• Distribution Requirements. At least one REES-approved 3-credit course in two of three core disciplinary fields (arts/culture, history, social sciences).
• Practicum Experience. Completion in a practicum (or an additional 3-credit course). Successful completion of a practicum experience might include fulfillment of an internship related to Russia, East Europe, or Eurasia; training in a specific skill relevant to the student’s professional interests; undertaking a focused research project in or on Russia, East Europe, or Eurasia (separate from U-M coursework); or intensive language study.
• Language Proficiency. Students must have at least 2nd-year competency in a REE-area language (3rd-year for Russian or Polish), as demonstrated by coursework (with a grade of B- or better in the final semester) or with satisfactory performance on an examination administered by the relevant U-M department.
• Research Seminar. Participation in an upper-level graduate seminar leading to a final project/paper/practicum to be approved by at least two faculty members: one CREES Faculty Associate, and one from the student's home unit.
  • REES Graduate Certificate Essay Approval Form
  • Past REES M.A. Thesis/Graduate Certificate Essay Directory

Graduate Certificate students are encouraged to meet with the CREES Advisor at least once per year to evaluate progress toward the certificate. Schedule an advising appointment.

It is also important that the student's home department or school is aware of his/her intent to pursue a certificate in REES. The student will be personally responsible for letting the departmental advisor know of such intent, and the application will need to be signed by the current program advisor.

Students in the Graduate Certificate Program in REES will be encouraged to participate in internships, research, or study in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. CREES has extensive contacts with appropriate institutions in the region, and will assist students in locating host organizations and constructing projects. Through the CREES Research, Internship, and Fellowship (CRIF) Program, funding is allocated competitively each year to students in graduate-level degree programs relating to the region of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (see Student Funding). We anticipate that students enrolled in the REES Certificate Program will be situated to develop outstanding and competitive internship projects.

Current Rackham Students: Any student with a bachelor's degree who has been admitted to or is currently enrolled in a Rackham graduate degree program at U-M is eligible to apply at any time for the Graduate Certificate program in REES. To make enrollment in the certificate program effective the same term during which degree conferral will take place, applications must be received by January 15 for winter term, May 15 for spring/summer, or September 15 for fall term.

Students in any Rackham program must submit:

• Add a Degree or Certificate Program Application, signed by the current program's Chair.
• Current transcript and official transcripts from all universities attended.
• Statement of purpose, which should outline why the applicant wishes to receive a certificate, and how it fits with his or her academic/professional plans and goals.

Non-Rackham Applicants: The certificate can be pursued by students currently enrolled in non-Rackham programs and professional schools at U-M. Application deadlines: March 31 for fall term and October 15 for winter term.

Applicants not enrolled in a Rackham graduate program must submit:

• Rackham application and fee
• Official transcripts from all universities attended
• Statement of purpose that explains the applicant's interest in the Certificate Program and his or her background in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores (GMAT and LSAT scores accepted for applicants from professional schools)
• TOEFL scores for international applicants

For more information, schedule an advising appointment or email ii-gradadvising@umich.edu.

In addition to the funding opportunities in a student's home unit, students in the Graduate Certificate Program in REES may be eligible for CREES GSI positions and summer and academic year Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships. Students may also apply to the International Institute for fellowships for overseas internships and research. For more information, see Student Funding.