Center for Economic & Civic Learning (CECL) • Ball State University

Civic Studies Minor

A flexible, interdisciplinary minor that helps you build the knowledge, habits, and leadership skills to participate meaningfully in democratic life—on campus, in your career, and in your community.

Quick facts: 15 credits • Open to all majors • No prerequisites • Start anytime

Why add a Civic Studies Minor?

  • Interdisciplinary by design: study democracy, ethics, leadership, and public life across multiple departments.
  • Career-relevant: build communication, ethical reasoning, and public problem-solving skills employers and graduate programs value.
  • Real-world learning: connect coursework to campus and community engagement and a capstone experience.
  • Built around your interests: choose electives that match your major and goals.

How the minor works (15 credits)

The Civic Studies Minor is designed to be simple to enter and easy to complete alongside any major.

Step 1 — Choose one core course (3 credits)

  • HONR 390 — Citizenship, Community, and Leadership (open to all students)
  • CVIC 200 — Civic Studies
  • Some pathways and advising materials also reference POLS 300 — Living Democracy (ask an advisor about best fit for your plan)

Step 2 — Complete approved electives (12 credits)

Choose from a university-wide list across Communication, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Education, Philosophy, History, Geography, Planning, Journalism, and more.
(See the catalog list for the most current approved courses.)

Step 3 — Capstone experience

Your coursework culminates in an integrative civic project or reflection—connecting what you learned to a real public question, community issue, or civic identity goal.

Want the official, always-updated requirements? Use the catalog link above.

Choose your civic path (optional pathways)

You do not have to declare a pathway—pathways are advising tools that help you pick electives that align
with your major and career interests.

Civic Leadership & Public Problem-Solving
Public service • nonprofit leadership • organizational leadership • policy and governance
Law, Justice & Public Safety
Pre-law • criminal justice • human rights • courts, policing, and public ethics
Media, Communication & Democracy
Journalism • public relations • political communication • media, culture, and public opinion
Education, Equal Opportunity & Democracy
Teaching and schools • civic education • equity • youth development and public policy
Environment, Place & Civic Futures
Sustainability • planning • environmental justice • place-making and community resilience
Pluralism, Religion & Civic Identity
Diversity and belonging • interfaith • identity • democracy in a pluralistic society

Learn more about pathways (with examples of course combinations):
https://commcenter.bsu.edu/message/choose-your-civic-path-new-civic-studies-minor-pathways-launch-at-ball-state

Who should consider this minor?

The Civic Studies Minor is designed for students across Ball State—whether you’re in STEM, Business, Education, CCIM, Architecture and Planning, Fine Arts, Health, or Humanities—who want to strengthen civic agency and ethical leadership. It’s especially valuable if you’re interested in education, law, journalism/media, public policy, nonprofit leadership, social advocacy, community organizing, or government.

Ready to get started?

Explore the official program page, review requirements in the catalog, and then reach out for advising support.

Tip: Start with HONR 390 or CVIC 200, then build electives around a pathway that matches your major.