Civics Honors
Major in the School of Civic Leadership
Civics is the study of the rights and obligations of citizenship. As an academic field of study, civics blends a classical liberal education with the study of American history, law, economics, and political philosophy.
Civics prepares students to live well, to sustain American self-government, and to strengthen their communities. The curriculum combines practical skills, such as an internship and thesis, with deep foundational knowledge of Western civilization, the US Constitution, and the foundations of a free economy. Civics Honors at UT Austin equips students for successful careers in business and entrepreneurship, science and technology, education and law, and government and public policy.
Freshman and External Transfer Admission
ShowFreshman: If you are a high school senior or a student who has completed high school and has not yet enrolled at another college or university after graduation, you are eligible to apply for admission to UT Austin and the School of Civic Leadership’s BA with a major in Civics Honors.
- Incoming freshmen students apply to the University of Texas at Austin through UT Austin Admissions via Common App or Apply Texas.
- Satisfy all requirement listed on the UT Austin Application Checklist
- Students applying to the School of Civic Leadership’s BA with a major in Civics Honors must answer two short essay questions.
External Transfer: The School of Civic Leadership accepts external transfer applications. Students currently enrolled at a college or university other than UT Austin who wish to transfer into the School of Civic Leadership must apply for external transfer through an online application provided by Admissions. External Transfers to the School of Civic Leadership should apply here.
Internal Transfer Requirements
ShowThe School of Civic Leadership accepts internal applications. Prospective students currently enrolled at UT Austin who wish to transfer from one UT School or College into the School of Civic Leadership must apply for internal transfer through an online application provided by Admissions. Internal Transfers to the School of Civic Leadership should apply here.
Required Courses
ShowIntellectual Foundations
- CIV 301 Perennial Problems in Civic Thought
- CIV 303J Origins of American Institutions
- CIV 303K Democracy and Capitalism
- CIV 305 Excellence of Character: The Virtues
Tools
- CIV 302 Truth and Persuasion
- CIV 304 Foundations of Research Methods for Civics
- CIV 312P Constitutional Principles: Core Texts
- ECO 304K Introduction to Microeconomics
Areas of Study
- Western Civilization
- Constitutionalism
- Civic Leadership
Specializations
ShowPolitical theory, philosophy, constitutional law, history, economics, business.
Personality
ShowYou’ll thrive here if:
- You’re excited for the intellectual challenge of reading the great texts of Western civilization and the American tradition.
- You find the American story, in both its finest and most difficult moments, worth studying.
- You want to combine philosophical and historical reflection with social science and economics to prepare yourself for responsible citizenship.
- You want to cultivate intellectual virtues, including attentiveness, respect, desire for truth, open-mindedness, courage, humility, good faith, and good will.
- You want to develop the tools of competent communication and deliberation that will prepare you for work in an array of fields.
Skills
Show- Read and think deeply about the American constitutional tradition and Western civilization with ancient and historical texts
- Write in a compelling, researched manner
- Develop skills for civil discourse
- Practice skills to apply foundational intellectual inquiry to real world issues
- Thrive in life and in service to others
- Acquire career planning advice, interview skills, and leadership development
