Programmes | Courses

GLOBAL INSTITUTE OF POLITICIANS – GIOP

Proposed Academic & Professional Programme Framework

Institutional Motto: Excellence in Politics / Service to Humanity

1. Political Practice

GIOP Programme School of Political Practice (GPPP)

Focuses on the practical application of political principles, ethics, leadership, governance and public service.

Core areas

• Foundations of Political Practice
• Good Politics and Responsible Politics
• Political Ethics and Integrity
• Political Leadership & Decision-Making
• Public Representation
• Political Communication
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Campaign & Electoral Practice
• Negotiation and Mediation
• Responsible Political Advocacy
• Sustainable Political Practice
• Transparency and Accountability

Possible awards

• Certificate in Political Practice
• Diploma in Political Practice
• Advanced Diploma in Political Practice
• Professional Diploma in Political Practice
• Master Professional Programme in Political Practice
• GIOP Certified Political Practitioner (GCPP)

2. Political Psychology

GIOP School of Political Psychology

Examines the psychological factors influencing political behaviour, leadership, public opinion and political participation.

Core areas

• Introduction to Political Psychology
• Political Attitudes and Behaviour
• Leadership Psychology
• Political Identity
• Voter Behaviour
• Public Opinion
• Political Persuasion
• Political Communication & Psychology
• Group Behaviour
• Political Polarisation
• Conflict Psychology
• Psychology of Political Leadership

Possible award
GIOP Certified Political Psychology Practitioner (GCPPP)

3. Political Education

GIOP Institute for Political Education (GIPE)

Designed to educate citizens, aspiring politicians, political practitioners, students and public leaders.

Core areas

• Foundations of Politics
• Democratic Citizenship
• Constitutionalism
• Rule of Law
• Human Rights
• Political Ethics
• Electoral Education
• Public Policy
• Civic Responsibility
• Political Leadership
• Good Governance
• Sustainable Development & Politics

Special programmes

• Young Political Leaders Academy
• Women in Political Leadership Programme
• Student Political Leadership Programme
• Civic & Democratic Education Programme
• Political Leadership Executive Programme

4. Political Sciences

GIOP School of Political Sciences (GSPolSci)

A broader academic programme covering the scientific study of political systems, institutions and behaviour.

Core areas

• Introduction to Political Science
• Comparative Politics
• Political Theory
• International Relations
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Political Economy
• Constitutional Government
• Electoral Systems
• Political Institutions
• Governance
• Research Methods

Possible awards

• Certificate in Political Sciences
• Diploma in Political Sciences
• Bachelor-level professional programme
• Postgraduate professional programme
• GIOP Certified Political Scientist

5. Political Studies

GIOP Centre for Political Studies (GCPS)

An interdisciplinary programme examining politics through historical, legal, social, economic and institutional perspectives.

Programme tracks

• African Political Studies
• Comparative Political Studies
• Contemporary Political Studies
• Democratic Studies
• Governance Studies
• Leadership Studies
• Electoral Studies
• Public Policy Studies
• Political Institutions
• Political Development

Research component
Students can undertake GIOP Political Studies Research Projects, policy papers and comparative political studies.

6. Politology

GIOP School of Politology (GSP)

This could become one of GIOP’s distinctive programmes, particularly if you want to develop Politology as the systematic study and professional practice of politics.

Core areas

• Foundations of Politology
• Political Systems
• Political Institutions
• Political Behaviour
• Political Leadership
• Political Parties
• Electoral Politics
• Political Communication
• Political Strategy
• Political Governance
• Political Ethics
• Comparative Politology
• Applied Politology

Professional designation
GIOP Certified Politologist (GCP)

Advanced research

• Comparative Politology
• Applied Politology
• Professional Politology
• Good Politics & Politology
• Politology of Governance

7. Political History

GIOP Centre for Political History (GCPH)

Studies the development of political institutions, movements, leaders, ideologies and political systems.

Core areas

• Ancient Political Systems
• Medieval Political History
• Modern Political History
• African Political History
• Ghanaian Political History
• History of Democracy
• History of Political Institutions
• History of Political Thought
• Colonial & Post-Colonial Politics
• Political Movements
• Political Leadership Through History
• Contemporary Political History

Research programmes

• African Political History Project
• Ghana Political History Archive
• Global Political Leaders History Project
• Political Institutions Historical Research Programme

8. Political Management & Administration

GIOP School of Political Management & Administration (GSPMA)

This can serve as GIOP’s practical management school for politicians, political parties, public officials and political organisations.

Core areas

• Political Organisation Management
• Political Party Administration
• Public Administration
• Political Office Management
• Strategic Political Management
• Campaign Management
• Electoral Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Financial Management
• Political Communications Management
• Policy Management
• Crisis Management
• Governance & Institutional Management

Professional certifications

• Certified Political Manager (CPM)
• Certified Political Administrator (CPA)
• Certified Political Management Professional (CPMP)
• Certified Political Governance Administrator (CPGA)

9. Geopolitical Practices

GIOP Centre for Geopolitical Practice (GCGP)

A practical programme focused on applying geopolitical analysis to diplomacy, international relations, security, economics and strategic decision-making.

Core areas

• Foundations of Geopolitical Practice
• Geopolitical Risk
• Regional Power Relations
• Diplomatic Practice
• International Negotiation
• Strategic Foreign Policy
• International Political Economy
• Geopolitical Intelligence
• Conflict & Mediation
• Strategic Communication
• International Organisations
• Africa in Global Geopolitics

Professional designation
GIOP Certified Geopolitical Practitioner (GCGP)

10. Geopolitics

GIOP School of Geopolitics (GSG)

A more academic and analytical programme examining how geography, power, resources, states and international systems interact.

Core areas

• Introduction to Geopolitics
• Classical Geopolitical Theory
• Contemporary Geopolitics
• Geopolitics of Africa
• Geopolitics of Europe
• Geopolitics of Asia
• Geopolitics of the Middle East
• Global Power Competition
• Energy Geopolitics
• Resource Geopolitics
• Maritime Geopolitics
• Technology & Geopolitics
• Geoeconomics
• International Security
• Future Geopolitical Trends

GIOP INTEGRATED POLITICAL STUDIES FRAMEWORK

The ten programmes can also be placed under five GIOP academic schools:

GIOP’S 22 CORE PROGRAMME/COURSE DISCIPLINES

GIOP QUALIFICATION LADDER

Foundation
→ Foundation Programme

Professional
→ Certificate
→ Advanced Certificate

Diploma
→ Diploma
→ Advanced Diploma
→ Professional Diploma

Undergraduate
→ Bachelor’s programmes

Postgraduate
→ Postgraduate Certificate
→ Postgraduate Diploma
→ Master’s Degree
→ Executive Master’s

Doctoral
→ Professional Doctorate
→ PhD
→ Advanced Doctoral Research

Research & Professional
→ Research Fellow
→ Senior Research Fellow
→ Research Professor/Chair
→ Certified Professional Designations