Civic Education, Certificate


At a Glance: program details

  • Location:
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
Develop your political voice while learning the rights, responsibilities and intellectual foundations that go along with membership in American democracy. Become a more informed participant when exercising the rights to vote and seek change.

Program Description

The civic education certificate program is geared toward students who seek to actively engage in or teach others about political issues and reforms.

Coursework in the certificate provides a strong foundation in the theories and ideologies that provide the motivation and reasoning for much political activity. In addition, a civics in action component of the program enables students to investigate how contemporary American political institutions grapple with competing interests, values and civic ideas.


Program Requirements

The certificate in civic education is comprised of 15 credit hours in political science. At least 12 credit hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be taken in courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher.
Theoretical Foundations -- 6 credit hours
Moral Foundations of Politics (choose one course) -- 3 credit hours
Civics in Action (choose two courses) -- 6 credit hours
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment Requirements

Requests to declare this certificate are reviewed by the academic advisor in the academic unit offering the certificate. Students may be contacted to discuss the certificate prior to the addition of the certificate to the student record.

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


Career Outlook

Graduates who have combined the certificate in civic education with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. The program helps prepare students for fields in which an understanding of citizenship, leadership, community, democracy, public responsibility and ethics is crucial, such as:

  • business
  • civic and social movements
  • education (social studies)
  • history
  • journalism
  • law
  • politics
  • public administration
  • public service
  • social work

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 80910

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education


  • Growth: 1%
  • Median Salary*: 62360

Historians


  • Growth: 3.1%
  • Median Salary*: 64540

Lawyers


  • Growth: 7.5%
  • Median Salary*: 135740
  Bright Outlook

News Analysts, Reporters and Journalists


  • Growth: -3.3%
  • Median Salary*: 55960

Political Scientists


  • Growth: 6.6%
  • Median Salary*: 128020
  Bright Outlook

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary


  • Growth: 3.7%
  • Median Salary*: 83770

Legislators


  • Growth: 3.4%
  • Median Salary*: 48090

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary


  • Growth: 1.1%
  • Median Salary*: 101320

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).




Program Contact Information

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