Program Guide

Civics and Liberty Studies (Educational Liberty)

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

Educational 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)
AMS 3331 (3) Learning and Liberty
AMS 3353 (3) The Science of Learning in Classical Education
AMS 3352 (3) Foundations of Classical Education: Part I
AMS 3354 (3) Foundations of Classical Education: Part II 

Choose Any (2) Two: (6 hours)
AMS 4XXX (3) Socratic Inquiry and the Formation of Affections
AMS 4XXX (3) Policy and Practice in Education
REL 3178 (3) Religion and Law
POS 3064 (3) Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations

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/.

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at FSU.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at FSU.
3. 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.