Advanced Critical and Creative Thinking Certificate
Through a series of engaging courses, you’ll gain versatile skills to stand out in the job market — all while fulfilling general education requirements.
Certificate Overview
Today’s employers want professionals who can think critically, and that demand is expected to grow massively during the next decade. Our certificate program will help students in all majors hone their critical and creative thinking abilities to stand out in the job search, now and in the future.
Through our 12-credit-hour program, you’ll not only gain skills you can transfer to any field or industry. You’ll also fulfill NC State general education requirements through a cohesive theme of your choice.
How it Works
The certificate includes a gateway course that applies critical thinking to major themes in American life. Then, you’ll choose one of three professionally useful, thematic general education tracks with courses designed to complement any academic major on NC State’s campus:
- Environment, Health and Wellness
- Justice, Law and Social Change
- Science, Business and Innovation
Gain a Competitive Edge
By earning this certificate, you’ll stand out in the job market.
Fulfill GEP Requirements
Explore intriguing topics while earning general education credits.
Pick Your Own Theme
No matter your major, align courses to your interests.
Info Session
Requirements
The Certificate in Advanced Critical and Creative Thinking consists of 12 credit hours. Upon completion, the certificate will be listed on your official transcript.
Required Course (3 credits)
- HSS 201: Critical Thinking in American Life: Engaging Across Difference
- Satisfies GEP requirements for Humanities or US Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Only one 200-level elective course can be counted toward the certificate, and at least two elective courses must be in the same thematic track.
Environment, Health and Wellness Track
200-Level Courses
- ENG 232 – Literature and Medicine
- IDS 201 – Environmental Ethics
- IDS 203 – Humans and the Environment
- IDS 211 – Eating through American History
- IDS 220 – Science and Art of Happiness
- SOC 211 – Community and Health
- SOC 241 – Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Society
300-Level Courses
- AFS/PSY 345 – Psychology and the African American Experience
- ANT 370 – Intro to Forensic Anthropology
- HI 318 – Environmental History of Cuba (study abroad)
- HI 340 – History of Agriculture
- HI 342 – Global Environmental History
- HI 360 – US Agricultural History
- HI 381 – NGO Nonprofits in a Global Context
- PHI 325 – Bio-Medical Ethics
- PHI 347 – Neuroscience and Philosophy
- SOC 350 – Food and Society
- SOC 381 – Sociology of Medicine
- STS 322 – Technological Catastrophes
- STS 323 – World Population and Food Prospects
- WGS 330 – Women and Health
Justice, Law and Social Change Track
200-Level Courses
- ENG 248 – Survey of African-American Literature
- ENG 267 – LGBTQI Literature in the US
- FL 218 – The Harlem Renaissance in Paris
- PS 231 – Introduction to International Relations
- SOC 203 – Current Social Problems
- SOC 212 – Race in America
300-Level Courses
- AFS/SOC 305 – Racial and Ethnic Relations
- AFS/REL 343 – African American Religions
- AFS/ENG 375 – African American Cinema
- AFS/WGS 380 – Black Feminist Theory
- ENG 378 – Women and Film
- HI 324 – History of Common Law and Constitution
- HI 380 – History of Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Change
- HI 383 – Law in the American Story
- PHI 309 – Political Philosophy
- PHI 312 – Philosophy of Law
- PHI 313 – Ethical Problems in the Law
- PHI 319 – Black Political Philosophy
- PS/WGS 306 – Gender and Politics in the US
- REL 383 – Religion, Globalism, and Justice
- SOC/WGS 304 – Gender and Society
Science, Business and Innovation Track
200-Level Courses
- ANT/SOC 261 – Technology in Society and Culture
- ARS/STS 257 – Technology in the Arts
- COM 200 – Communication Media in a Changing World
- COM 289 – Science Communication and Public Engagement
- ID 244 – History of Industrial Design
- PHI 214 – Issues in Business Ethics
- PHI 227 – Data Ethics
- SOC 205 – Jobs and Work
- STS 210 – Women and Gender in Science and Technology
- STS 214 – Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society
300-Level Courses
- COM/ENG 364 – History of Film to 1940
- COM/ENG 374 – History of Film from 1940
- ENG 339 – Literature and Technology
- ENG 376 – Science Fiction
- HI 321 – Scientific Revolution and European Society
- HI 322 – Rise of Modern Science
- HI 323 – Science, American Style
- HI 341 – Technology in History
- HI 344 – Dinomania: Dinosaurs in Culture and Science
- HI 375 – Global History of Travel and Tourism
- HI 382 – History of Capitalism in America
- PHI 340 – Philosophy of Science
- PS 314 – Science, Technology, and Public Policy
- PS 339 – Politics of the World Economy
- STS 302 – Contemporary Science, Technology, and Human Values
- STS 304 – Ethical Dimensions of Progress
Admission Info
Our certificate is open to any undergraduate student at NC State.
While there’s no formal application process, students must declare their intent to enroll in and complete the program via our Google Form. Once you submit the form, the certificate coordinator and your academic advisor will be notified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the courses require prerequisites?
Yes, some of the elective courses require prerequisites.
Are elective course exceptions possible?
Elective course exceptions are possible, including special topics courses and transfer credits, depending on course content.
Must I earn a certain grade in the courses to satisfy the certificate requirements?
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses used to satisfy the certificate requirements. S/U courses cannot count toward the certificate.
Have questions?
Contact the certificate coordinator, Noah Strote.