Civic Leadership

Department website: https://civicleadership.utexas.edu/

School of Civic Leadership

Justin Dyer, PhD, Dean
Scott Carrell, PhD, Associate Dean
Sarah Beth Kitch, PhD, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

Vision

The School of Civic Leadership recognizes that the strength and durability of the American republic depends on the citizens' capacity to govern their own affairs freely. As individuals and citizens, we are responsible for preserving what the U.S. Constitution refers to as "the blessings of liberty." In the School of Civic Leadership, we engage deeply with the Western tradition's great texts and carefully study the founding, constitutional, and economic principles of the United States and Texas. SCL's distinctive blend of classical and professional education cultivates in students the disciplines of character and intellect necessary to assume responsibility in their communities and nation. In the School of Civic Leadership, the study of constitutional self-government is the cornerstone of a broader liberal education—that is, an education that prepares one to live freely and to pursue the truth. Through a rich encounter with "the best that has been thought and said," SCL students are invited to cultivate hope and courage and graduate equipped to think, to write, and to speak well.

Principles

The School of Civic Leadership fosters the aptitudes that enable students to contribute to the University's intellectual life. The school also challenges students to develop the virtues of courage, justice, moderation, and wisdom as the hallmarks of their study.

Courage is the virtue that enables us to persevere through adversity in pursuit of a worthy aim.
Justice is the virtue that enables us to take responsibility and give to each person his due.
Moderation is the virtue that enables us to lead our lives with self-discipline.
Wisdom is the virtue that enables us to deliberate about what to do based on knowledge of what is true.

The University's truth-seeking mission finds its safeguard in the free exchange of ideas. Accordingly, the School of Civic Leadership is committed to open inquiry, reasoned debate, civil discussion, and freedom of thought and speech.

History

In 2023, the UT System Board of Regents established the School of Civic Leadership to “engage in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program of research, teaching, training and equipping students in the knowledge and aptitudes necessary to lead in a free society.” The School of Civic Leadership carries on the mission of Texas public higher education first articulated in 1839 by Texas President Mirabeau Lamar. He called upon the Texas Congress to establish a public institution of higher education with the observation that the “cultivated mind is the guardian genius of Democracy, and while guided and controlled by virtue, the noblest attribute of man.” The UT Austin motto – disciplina praesidium civitatis – is a loose Latin rendering of Lamar’s famous quotation. When Professor William Battle proposed the Latin motto for the UT Seal in 1903, he said that it was “at once a justification of the university’s existence and an ideal of its future.” The School of Civic Leadership advances this tradition of civic education at UT Austin.

Student Services

The Office of the Dean of the School of Civic Leadership provides student services such as maintenance of student records, academic advising, and official evaluations of the student’s academic standing and progress toward a degree. Students should contact the office whenever they have questions about degree requirements, academic standing, general University regulations, or registration. The office can provide students with general information and referrals for questions students encounter.

The School of Civic Leadership offers a scholarship program. Learn more about the program and how to apply at https://civicleadership.utexas.edu/.

In addition, students may contact Texas One Stop for scholarship information.

Academic Advising

The Office of the Dean in the School of Civic Leadership provides academic advising to students. Students should consult their degree audit regularly; see Degree Audit in the Graduation section.

Career Services

The Office of the Dean provides career development resources for students and alumni. Students enrolled in the School of Civic Leadership may take classes to consider career opportunities and meet experts in a variety of fields. Students may complete internships, conduct independent research, and complete a research thesis when indicated in their degree program.

The University makes no promise to secure employment for each graduate.

Requirements and Policy

Minimum Scholastic Requirements

The student must earn a grade point average of at least 2.00 in courses taken at the University and counted toward the degree and major requirements. The student must earn a grade of at least C- in each course used to fulfill any of the requirements for the degree and major. For more information about grades and the grade point average, see the General Information Catalog.

Graduation

Special Requirements

All students must fulfill the General Requirements for graduation. In addition, students must be registered in the school either in residence or in absentia the semester the degree is to be awarded and must apply to the dean for the degree no later than the date specified in the official academic calendar. The student must have an official degree audit on file prior to applying for the degree.

Degree Audit

An electronic degree audit is created for each student each semester. Students should view the audit through IDA, the University’s Interactive Degree Audit system, on a regular basis. The degree audit tells the student the courses they must take and the requirements they must fulfill to receive the degree. The degree audit normally provides an accurate statement of requirements, but students are still responsible for knowing the requirements for their degree as stated in a catalog under which they are eligible to graduate and for registering so as to fulfill all these requirements. If in doubt about any requirement, students should always speak with an academic advisor prior to registration.

Applying for Graduation

Each student seeking a degree must meet with an advisor prior to registering for the last semester of the degree program to review their degree audit. Students must also meet with an advisor during the semester in which they intend to graduate for an official degree audit. The degree audit is essential to ensure that the student is on track to meet all the degree requirements given in a catalog under which they are eligible to graduate. In the final semester, a candidate for graduation must apply for the degree by the deadline given in the official academic calendar.

Applicability of Certain Courses

Physical Activity Courses

Physical activity (PED) courses are offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. Up to three semester hours of physical activity coursework may be counted as electives toward any School of Civic Leadership degree. All physical activity courses are counted among courses for which the student is enrolled, and the grades are included in the grade point average.

ROTC Courses

The Departments of Air Force Science, Military Science, and Naval Science maintain ROTC units on campus. Information about each program is available from the chair of the department concerned. Twelve semester hours of coursework in air force science, military science, or naval science may be counted toward any degree in the School of Civic Leadership. Such credit may be used only as electives or to fulfill the writing requirement, and only by students who are commissioned by the University ROTC program.

Courses Taken on the Pass/Fail Basis

No more than 12 semester hours taken on the pass/fail basis may be counted toward School of Civic Leadership degrees. In general, courses taken on the pass/fail basis will count as general electives. Note well: Coursework required for major requirements cannot be taken pass/fail. Complete rules on registration on the pass/fail basis are given in the General Information Catalog.

Correspondence and Extension Courses

Credit that a University student in residence earns simultaneously by correspondence or extension from the University or elsewhere or in residence at another school will not be counted toward a degree in the School of Civic Leadership unless specifically approved in advance by the dean. For additional information about correspondence work by resident students, see the General Information Catalog.

In the semester they plan to graduate, students may not take any course to be counted toward the degree at another institution or through University Extension; students who plan to graduate at the end of the summer semester may request approval to take transfer work only in the first summer term.

Minor Policy

A student who wishes to pursue more than one transcript-recognized minor must obtain permission from the College. In considering whether to grant an exception, the College will consider the student's ability to graduate within four years of entering the university.

Admission

University admission and readmission of undergraduate students is the director of admission's responsibility. Refer to the General Information Catalog for information about University admission.

Admission Policies of the School

The School of Civic Leadership provides an intellectually challenging interdisciplinary education to a limited number of students whose academic records indicate potential and motivation. Enrollment in School of Civic Leadership is selective. When selecting the School of Civic Leadership, students should complete the appropriate essay component when required. Application materials and information about deadlines are available at https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply.

Transfer

Internal Transfer

The School of Civic Leadership accepts transfer students. Students currently or formerly enrolled in other University degree programs who wish to enroll in a degree program in the School of Civic Leadership must complete an online Internal Transfer Application by the semester deadline to be considered for admission the following semester. To be eligible to apply for internal transfer, students must have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit in residence (excluding credit-by-exam) by the end of a spring semester, with a University grade point average of at least 3.25. Emphasis is given to strong performance in University courses, especially courses relevant to the degree program to which the applicant is applying. Meeting these requirements is no guarantee for admission.

External Transfer

Transfer applicants from related programs in other universities will be evaluated with emphasis given to excellence in academic ability, essays, and relevant achievements. The Office of the Dean will determine course credit upon acceptance. External transfer admission is available to a limited number of qualified applicants.

Students applying to transfer from another university to the School of Civic Leadership should select the appropriate degree program on the Common Application or ApplyTexas application. All application materials must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by the deadline to apply for admission to the University; these dates are given in the General Information Catalog. To be considered for transfer admission to the School of Civic Leadership, the applicant must have completed at least 24 semester hours of transferable college coursework with a grade point average of at least 3.25.

Transfer Credit

External transfer students with credit from another school must submit samples of their work and, if applicable, transcripts, course descriptions and/or syllabi for courses in their majors. On the basis of the information submitted, the Office of the Dean determines how students enter the School of Civic Leadership and assigns credit toward the relevant degree if appropriate.

Registration

The General Information Catalog gives information about registration, adding and dropping courses, transfer from one division of the University to another, and auditing a course. The Course Schedule, published before registration each semester, includes registration instructions, advising locations, and the times, places, and instructors of classes. The Course Schedule and General Information Catalog are published on the registrar’s website.

Students should carefully verify that they have completed all course prerequisites, consult the academic advisors in the Office of the Dean, and take courses each semester in the suggested sequence to fulfill prerequisites.

Students must register each semester for at least 12 semester hours of coursework prescribed for the degree. The Office of the Dean must approve registration for fewer hours.

Honors

University Honors

The designation University Honors, awarded at the end of each fall or spring semester, gives official recognition and commendation to students whose grades for the semester indicate distinguished academic accomplishment. Both the quality and the quantity of work done are considered. Criteria for University Honors are given in the General Information Catalog.

Graduation with University Honors

Students who, upon graduation, have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement are eligible to graduate with University Honors. Criteria for graduation with University Honors are given in the General Information Catalog.

School Honors

The School of Civic Leadership offers honors to its majors. Minimum requirements for these honors are:

A University grade point average of at least 3.5.
Completion, with a grade point average of at least 3.5, of the coursework required for a major in the field.
Completion in residence at the University of at least 60 semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree.

The statement “Special Honors in Civic Leadership” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed an honors program.

Honors Programs

The School of Civic Leadership offers honors programs. Each major program may establish its own criteria for honors.

The statement “Special Honors in (name of field)” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed an honors program.

Civics Honors

The School of Civic Leadership offers an honors degree program in Civics Honors for highly motivated and talented students. The key features of the program are a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum, curated extracurriculars, an internship experience, and thesis research. Civics Honors students pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Civics Honors. Students must apply to the Civics Honors degree program when they apply to the University. Factors for admission consideration include high school grades, class rank, rigor of coursework, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), essays and short answer questions, when applicable, and extracurricular activities.

Additional minimum requirements for graduation with special honors in civics honors are:

Graduation from the School of Civic Leadership with a Bachelor of Arts and a major in Civics Honors with a GPA of 3.0
Completion of the thesis sequence CIV 379J and CIV 379K with a grade of at least a 3.0
Completion of the internship course CIV 379 or the equivalent thereof

The statement “Special Honors in Civics Honors” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed an honors program.

More information about the degree program is given on the program's page.

Great Books Honors

The Great Book, Honors degree program is for highly motivated and talented students with a desire to explore the great books and fundamental ideas of the western tradition through deep reading, intensive discussion, and persuasive writing. The key features of the program are a comprehensive six-course chronological sequence of study, intensive discussion seminars, curated extracurriculars, and access to tutorials and specialized courses. Great Books honors program students pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Great Books, Honors. Students must apply to the Great Books honors program when they apply to the University. Factors for admission consideration include high school grades, class rank, rigor of coursework, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), essays and short answer questions, when applicable, and extracurricular activities.

Additional minimum requirements for graduation with special honors in Great Books are:

Graduation from the School of Civic Leadership with a Bachelor of Arts and a major in Great Books with a GPA of 3.0
Completion of the six-course discussion course series: G B 110H, 111H, 130H, 131H, 140H, and 141H, with a grade of at least 3.0
Completion of two additional upper-level G B electives.
Completion of intermediate proficiency in one F R, GER, GK or LAT
Completion of an internship or Honors Capstone G B 371

The statement “Special Honors in Great Books” appears on the transcript of each graduate certified as having completed an honors program.