Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn, and what citizenship and career skills will I gain?

You'll learn to apply theoretical perspectives and research methods to understand how cultures, societies, and territories/places shape the world's issues, problems, and prospects.
You'll learn to think conceptually in terms of theoretical perspectives: What aspects of cultures, societies, and territories/places are most important and why? How do they fit together to shape the world's issues, problems, and prospects?
You'll learn to link theoretical perspectives with research methods—for example, surveys, ethnographies, computer-based mapping programs, and ways to evaluate policy programs. You'll thereby learn to conceptualize, collect, and analyze diverse kinds of data.
You'll learn to express yourself effectively in both written and oral communication.
You'll learn to work independently as well as part of a team.
We are a core department in the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, whose opportunities provide further preparation for career, community, and life in a globalizing world.

For assistance, please attend Drop-in Advising. Drop-in Advising allows students to access an advisor for 10-minute advising sessions on a first-come, first-serve basis. For dates, times, and instructions, please see https://sipa.fiu.edu/academics/advising/
If you have a GSS second major or minor, please attend Drop-in Advising. Drop-in Advising allows students to access an advisor for 10-minute advising sessions on a first-come, first-serve basis. For dates, times, and instructions, please see https://sipa.fiu.edu/academics/advising/.
Please be sure that the staff obtains and lists your email address on the Department's undergraduate student listserv; and your preferred personal email.
Don't forget to obtain information about membership in the following: the Department's GSS Undergraduate Studies Club; Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society (for Sociology track majors); Lambda Alpha National Honor Society (for Anthropology track majors), Gamma Theta Upsilon Honor Society (for Geography majors),and Phi Beta Kappa National Honors Society (for students in all FIU majors).
The Department will assign you a faculty advisor, who will orient you to the GSS programs and associated opportunities.
From that point onward, your principal advising contact will be with your faculty advisor. Faculty office locations, office hours, and email addresses are listed on the Department's website under People/Faculty.

To schedule an appointment as a current GSS-major student, please follow the instructions under the "Schedule an Appointment" section of this page: https://acs.fiu.edu/online-tools/panther-success-network/tutorials/index.html.

Your faculty advisor: Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez, Undergraduate Academic Advisor and Grey Fernandez, Academic Advisor. Please check the faculty member's office location, office hours, and email address on the Department website (People/Faculty).
- What if I can't come during my advisor's scheduled office hours? Please email advisor to schedule an alternative time (305-348-2247). Advisor's email address can be found on the department website (People/Faculty).
GSS Undergraduate Program Director, Dr. Douglas Kincaid, SIPA 333: Please contact Dr. Kincaid Kincaidd@fiu.edu for appointment. BBC students may find it convenient to conduct such appointments by telephone.
SIPA
- SIPA 520: 305-348-6720; Dean Dr.Jeff Gonzalez Jeff Gonzalez

A list of certificate programs associated with the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs is available here. Other certificate programs are listed in the FIU Catalog here (please scroll down the page).
Download "Certificate Program Application" from the Office of the Registrar website.
Bring the form to the staff of the Department, Center, or Institute responsible for the specific certificate program, and leave the competed form with the staff.
Completion of the certificate program will be indicated on your FIU transcript. It will not be indicated on your diploma, but you will receive a certificate of completion from the specific certificate program.

Dr. Richard Tardanico will describe to you the variety of internship opportunities.
SYA 3949 is an internship course (3 credits) that can be taken for major or minor elective credit in coordination with your internship service.
In SYA 3949 you’ll write a major research paper concerning your internship work.

Please contact the Association Department's faculty advisor, Dr. Derrick Scott (305)-348-2247; Derrick Scott.

Please click the links for such items located on the Office of the Registrar website.