This certificate program prepares students to work in a growing area of focus for a multitude of corporations and international organizations--political risk analysis or risk intelligence.

Risk analysis focuses on the effect that characteristics and events of a country have on company security, supply chains, the safety of individuals working or traveling in a country, and sovereign risk (the ability of a country to pay its debts).

Understanding this risk provides assistance to companies and organizations so they can better manage their investments, assets, and activities in countries around the world based on threats they might face. 

Admission Requirements

This certificate can be earned by any University of Iowa student who is not concurrently enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program.

The Political Risk Analysis Certificate program is administered by the Department of Political Science.

Admission Process

First-Year

First-Year

First-Year Admission

Transfer

Transfer

Transfer Admission

Careers and Outcomes

Opportunity in this field is growing as non-governmental organizations, companies, nonprofits, international organizations, and countries seek to understand the risks posed in specific countries and regions around the world and what that means for them and their policies. 

Insurance and financial institutions, entertainment and retail companies, and international development organizations have divisions devoted to political risk analysis or intelligence. 

Iowa graduates have job placement rates ranging from 86-100 percent, depending on their area of study, and our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.

Student Opportunities

In addition to having more than 500 Student Organizations, Iowa students choose from more than 100 Study Abroad Programs and multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities.

Scholarships

The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college. 

The Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.

Coursework

The Political Risk Analysis Certificate requires a minimum of 18 s.h., including core and elective courses, as well as experiential learning—study abroad, research, or an internship. Students should work closely with the political risk analysis adviser to plan their certificate course work.

Students will learn relevant economic and risk principles for an organization, acquire knowledge of country and international system factors that influence an organization, and analyze these factors to show how they impact the risk for an organization.

Review Political Risk Analysis in the UI General Catalog to learn about required coursework.