College: Social Sciences & Public Policy
Degree: BS in Civics and Liberty Studies
Specialized Admission: No
Contact: James Shuls
Phone: (850) 545-2685
Email: jshuls@fsu.edu
Students cannot begin enrolling in this major until Fall 2026. Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor's degree in Civics and Liberty Studies. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to these majors at this time.
*Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program will be available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning; starting in Fall 2026.*
The Civics and Liberty Studies major equips students with a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of American civic traditions, the principles of liberty, and the institutions of democratic governance. The program integrates rigorous scholarship in political philosophy, constitutional law, social science methods, economic analysis, ethical reasoning, and classical education to foster thoughtful civic engagement, informed leadership, and ethical participation in public life. Students explore foundational American documents, great books of Western political thought, empirical approaches to policy and governance, and specialized paths in constitutional liberty, economic liberty, conscience liberty, or educational liberty. The curriculum combines classical texts, modern theory, legal interpretation, data-driven research, and rhetorical training to prepare graduates to analyze complex civic issues, defend individual rights and constitutional principles, and contribute meaningfully to democratic societies.
This major prepares students for careers in public policy, government service, law, education, think tanks, advocacy organizations, journalism, nonprofit leadership, and civic education initiatives. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate or professional study in law, political science, public policy, economics, business, philosophy, education, or related fields. Additionally, the interdisciplinary nature will prepare individuals for private sector roles, such as business managers.
Prerequisite Coursework: None
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.
Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
To be admitted, students must complete at least 52 hours with a minimum FSU GPA of 2.00 and most of the General Education requirements met, including freshman English composition and mathematics, or an AA degree.
Major Program of Studies at FSU: (45 hours)
This major in Civics and Liberty Studies requires 45 hours with a grade of C or better in each course; a required 27 credit hours of core coursework, including a 3-credit hour methods course, and 18 credit hours in one of four chosen concentration areas.
Required Courses: (24 hours)
AMS 2010 (3) Civil Discourse and the American Political Order
AMS 3362 (3) Leadership as Statesmanship
AMS 2335 (3) Great Books of the Early Modern World
POS 3625 (3) The First Amendment
AMS 4XXX (3) American Civics Research Seminar
IDS 2118 (3) Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
ECO 2023 (3) Principles of Microeconomics
PUP 3002 (3) Introduction to Public Policy OR ISS 4014 (3) Evidence Based Public Policy
Required Methods Course - Select (1) One: (3 hours)
POS 3713 (3) Understanding Political Science Research
ECO 3431 (3) Analysis of Economic Data <Required Prerequisites: ECO 2013, ECO 2023, and STA 2122>
STA 2122 (3) Introduction to Applied Statistics
Constitutional Liberty Concentration Courses: (18 hours)
Must complete 12 credit hours of required coursework in the declared concentration area and 6 credit hours of electives from the approved list within the declared concentration area.
Required Courses: (12 hours)
POS 4606 (3) The Supreme Court in American Politics
POS 4603 (3) American Constituional Law I
PHM 3400 (3) Philosophy of Law
POS 3490 (3) Social Science and Law
Choose Any (2) Two: (6 hours)
POS 3064 (3) Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
ECO 4532 (3) Economic Analysis of Politics
POS 3931 (3) The Supreme Court's Current Term
AMH 4130 (3) Revoluntionary America, 1760-1788
ECP 3451 (3) Economics and the Law
Minor Coursework: (0 hours)
A minor is not required for this major.
Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), or other University approved course.
Oral Communication Competency: (3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through with an approved college-level course.
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary: Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education: 36*
Major Coursework: 45*
Minor Coursework: 0
Digital Literacy: 3
Oral Competency: 3
Electives to bring total hours to 120
*NOTE: Some Civics and Liberty Studies courses may be applied to both General Education requirements and the major.
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic- guide.fsu.edu/.
- A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at FSU.
- Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at FSU.
- The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at FSU.
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major:
Policy Analyst, Legislative Aide, Public Affairs Specialist, Government Relations Specialist, Civic Education Coordinator, Nonprofit Program Manager, Think Tank Researcher, Public Policy Advocate, Lobbyist, Classical School Teacher, Journalist (political or civic affairs), Elected Official, Legislative Staffer, Public Administrator, Judicial Clerk, Ethics Consultant, Civil Liberties Advocate, K-12 Civics Instructor.
This major also prepares students exceptionally well for graduate and professional study leading to careers such as Attorney (especially in constitutional, civil rights, or public interest law), Public Policy Director, Professor of Political Science/Philosophy/Law, or Leadership roles in civic and governance institutions. Additionally, the interdisciplinary nature will prepare individuals for private sector roles, such as business managers.
Representative Employers: Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies; Legislative Offices; Think Tanks and Research Institutes; Non-Profit Organizations and Advocacy Groups; K-12 School Districts and Classical Education; Law Firms; Public Policy Consulting Firms; Media Organizations; Campaign and Political Organizations; Judicial Branches and Courts; Community and Civic Organizations.
ACADEMIC MAP (Effective Fall 2026 and after)
Students cannot begin enrolling in this major until Fall 2026. Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor's degree in Civics and Liberty Studies. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to these majors at this time.
*Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program will be available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning; starting in Fall 2026.*
This map is a term-by-term sample course schedule. The milestones listed to the right of each term are designed to keep you on course to graduate in four years. The Sample Schedule serves as a general guideline to help you build a full schedule each term. The General Education and Elective courses must be selected to satisfy all area and diversity requirements unless your program meets these requirements with major courses.
Milestones are courses and special requirements necessary for timely progress to complete a major. Missing milestones will result in one of two types of map registration stops. The first level (Degree Map Off-track) is placed following grade posting if the student has missed a milestone (course and/or GPA) for the first time in the major. If a student is in non-compliance with milestones for two (2) consecutive semesters (excluding summers), a Major Change Required stop is placed on the student's registration.
This major in Civics and Liberty Studies requires 45 hours with a grade of C or better in each course; a required 27 credit hours of core coursework, including a 3-credit hour methods course, and 18 credit hours in one of four chosen concentration areas.
Mapping Coordinator: COSS Acad Affairs Off. 101 BEL
Sample Schedule and Required Milestones by Term
| Sample Schedule: Term 1 hrs |
| ENC1101 Freshman Composition3 |
| 1st GE Core Mathematics3 |
| GE History3 |
| CGS2060 Computer Applications3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 1 |
| Complete ENC1101 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |
| Sample Schedule: Term 2 hrs |
| ENC2135 Research, Genre, and Context 3 |
| 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics (STA2122 recommended)3 |
| GE Natural Science3 |
| GE Core Social Science3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 2 |
| Complete ENC2135 ( ≥ C minus ) |
| Complete 1st GE Mathematics course ( ≥ C minus) |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |
| Sample Schedule: Term 3 hrs |
| Oral Communication Competency3 |
| GE Core Humanities/Cultural Practice3 |
| GE Ethics3 |
| Exploring the Human Experience (EHE) course3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 3 |
| Complete 2nd GE Mathematics or Statistics Course ( ≥ C minus; C or better if STA2122 taken ) |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |
| Sample Schedule: Term 4 hrs |
| GE Humanities/Cultural Practice3 |
| GE Social Science (ECO2023 recommended)3 |
| GE Core Natural Science with Lab4 |
| Elective3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 4 |
| Complete General Education requirements |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |
| Sample Schedule: Term 5 hrs |
| AMS2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order3 |
| AMS3362 Leadership as Statesmanship 3 |
| AMS2335 Great Books of the Early Modern World 3 |
| POS3625 The First Amendment3 |
| Required Concentration Course 3 |
| Sample Schedule: Term 6 hrs |
| IDS2118 Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics3 |
| PUP3002 Introduction to Public Policy OR ISS4014 Evidence Based Public Policy3 |
| Required Methods Course3 |
| Required Concentration Course3 |
| Required Concentration Course3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 6 |
| Complete IDS2118 ( ≥ C ) |
| Complete Methods Course ( ≥ C ) |
| Complete three (3) Required Concentration Courses total ( ≥ C in each ) |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |
| Sample Schedule: Term 7 hrs |
| AMS4XXX American Civics Research Seminar3 |
| Required Concentration Course3 |
| Concentration Elective Course3 |
| Elective3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 7 |
| Complete all four (4) of Required Concentration Courses ( ≥ C in each) |
| Complete fifteen (15) hours of Required Core Courses; one of which MUST be AMS4XXX ( ≥ C in each) |
| Complete one (1) Concentration Elective Course ( ≥ C ) |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |
| Sample Schedule: Term 8 hrs |
| Concentration Elective Course3 |
| Elective3 |
| Elective3 |
| Elective3 |
| Elective3 |
| Required Milestones: Term 8 |
| Complete all 24 hours of Required Core Courses ( ≥ C in each) |
| Complete two (2) Concentration Elective Courses ( ≥ C in each) |
| Apply with Registrar for Graduation in the 1st two weeks |
| Overall GPA 2.00 or higher |