The Academy of Certified Political Analysts and
Certified Political Scientists
We invite you to join our Public Policy Council and Advisory
Commission on Standards in Political Science and Political
Analysis.
International Relations - Diplomacy & Political
Science Credentialing Overview
International relations, politics, and diplomacy are social
sciences focused on the study of the state, government,
international law, and politics. Aristotle defined it as the
study of the state. This discipline thoroughly examines the
theory and practice of politics, as well as the analysis of
political systems and behaviors. Diplomatic and political
scientists aim to uncover the relationships that drive
political events and conditions, from which they derive general
principles to understand the dynamics of the political
world.
The World’s First Political Science Professional
Designation – Since 1996
The Academy was the first to integrate accredited education
and examinations as a pathway to political science and public
policy certification.
Certification Requirements
To become certified, you must hold an accredited diploma
(including courses and assessments/exams), with at least 18
hours of specialization and qualifying courses within an
accredited Master's or Doctorate program.
Requirements:
- Education: Successful completion of
political science courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Experience: A minimum of 2 years in
political, governmental, or public service roles.
- Accredited Degree: Graduation from an
accredited or government-recognized program.
- Continuing Education: Commitment to
ongoing professional development.
- Ethics: Adherence to the ethics
standards of the Society.
- Application: Apply now to begin the
certification process.
The Need for Quality Assurance in Public Policy
Credentials
In today’s competitive fields of news, education, and
government, individuals with degrees and certifications are
well-prepared to compete for top jobs and contribute
meaningfully to news, research, and public service, having met
rigorous standards.
Political Analyst Designations
In 1997, the Academy established various designations for
graduate students, enabling them to earn membership and
certification after meeting the required graduate-level
coursework.
Interdisciplinary Nature of Diplomacy, Politics, and
International Relations
International relations and diplomacy overlap with many
fields, including economics, law, sociology, history,
diplomacy, anthropology, public administration, public policy,
national politics, international relations, comparative
politics, psychology, political organization, and political
theory. Though formalized in the 19th century, political
science has ancient roots, originating nearly 2,500 years ago
with the works of Plato and Aristotle.
^ Oxford Dictionary of Politics: political science
^ The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999-02-22).
Retrieved on 2010-11-13.
^ Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: political science
