{"id":1179,"date":"2026-02-19T08:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T13:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/civics\/?page_id=1179"},"modified":"2026-02-22T16:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T21:15:09","slug":"civic-studies-minor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/civics\/civic-studies-minor\/","title":{"rendered":"Civic Studies Minor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- Civic Studies Minor \u2014 WordPress Landing Page (Custom HTML block) --><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>  <!-- HERO --><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding:26px 18px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f8fafc\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 8px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;letter-spacing:.02em\">\n      Center for Economic &amp; Civic Learning (CECL) \u2022 Ball State University\n    <\/p>\n<h1 style=\"margin:0 0 10px;line-height:1.15\">\n      Civic Studies Minor<br \/>\n    <\/h1>\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.45;color:#111827\">\nA flexible, interdisciplinary minor that helps you build the knowledge, habits, and leadership skills to participate meaningfully in democratic life\u2014on campus, in your career, and in your community.\n    <\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top:14px\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsu.edu\/academics\/collegesanddepartments\/educational-studies\/academic-programs\/minors\/civic-studies-minor\" style=\"margin:6px 10px 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:10px;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #111827;background:#111827;color:#ffffff;font-weight:700\"><br \/>\n        Official BSU Program Page<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/bsu.smartcatalogiq.com\/2025-2026\/undergraduate-catalog\/teachers-college\/educational-studies\/minor-in-civic-studies\" style=\"margin:6px 10px 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:10px;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #111827;background:#ffffff;color:#111827;font-weight:700\"><br \/>\n        Courses &amp; Requirements (Catalog)<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/commcenter.bsu.edu\/message\/choose-your-civic-path-new-civic-studies-minor-pathways-launch-at-ball-state\" style=\"margin:6px 0 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:10px;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #111827;background:#ffffff;color:#111827;font-weight:700\"><br \/>\n        Explore Thematic Pathways<br \/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:14px 0 0;color:#4b5563;font-size:14px\">\n      <strong>Quick facts:<\/strong> 15 credits \u2022 Open to all majors \u2022 No prerequisites \u2022 Start anytime\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin:22px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>  <!-- WHY --><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin:0 0 10px\">Why add a Civic Studies Minor?<\/h2>\n<div style=\"padding:16px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#ffffff\">\n<ul style=\"margin:0 0 0 18px;color:#111827;line-height:1.55\">\n<li style=\"margin:8px 0\"><strong>Interdisciplinary by design:<\/strong> study democracy, ethics, leadership, and public life across multiple departments.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin:8px 0\"><strong>Career-relevant:<\/strong> build communication, ethical reasoning, and public problem-solving skills employers and graduate programs value.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin:8px 0\"><strong>Real-world learning:<\/strong> connect coursework to campus and community engagement and a capstone experience.<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin:8px 0\"><strong>Built around your interests:<\/strong> choose electives that match your major and goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin:22px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>  <!-- HOW IT WORKS --><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin:0 0 10px\">How the minor works (15 credits)<\/h2>\n<div style=\"padding:16px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 10px;color:#111827\">\n      The Civic Studies Minor is designed to be simple to enter and easy to complete alongside any major.\n    <\/p>\n<div style=\"padding:14px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#ffffff;margin-top:10px\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"><strong>Step 1 \u2014 Choose one core course (3 credits)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin:0 0 0 18px;line-height:1.55\">\n<li style=\"margin:6px 0\"><strong>HONR 390<\/strong> \u2014 Citizenship, Community, and Leadership (open to all students)<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin:6px 0\"><strong>CVIC 200<\/strong> \u2014 Civic Studies<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin:6px 0\"><em>Some pathways and advising materials also reference<\/em> <strong>POLS 300<\/strong> \u2014 Living Democracy (ask an advisor about best fit for your plan)<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:14px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#ffffff;margin-top:12px\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"><strong>Step 2 \u2014 Complete approved electives (12 credits)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0;color:#4b5563\">\nChoose from a university-wide list across Communication, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Education, Philosophy, History, Geography, Planning, Journalism, and more.<br \/>\n        (See the catalog list for the most current approved courses.)\n      <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:14px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#ffffff;margin-top:12px\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"><strong>Step 3 \u2014 Capstone experience<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0;color:#4b5563\">\nYour coursework culminates in an integrative civic project or reflection\u2014connecting what you learned to a real public question, community issue, or civic identity goal.\n      <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:12px 0 0;color:#4b5563;font-size:14px\">\n Want the official, always-updated requirements? Use the catalog link above.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin:22px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>  <!-- PATHWAYS (MARKETING) --><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin:0 0 10px\">Choose your civic path (optional pathways)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 14px;color:#111827;line-height:1.55\">\n    You do <strong>not<\/strong> have to declare a pathway\u2014pathways are advising tools that help you pick electives that align<br \/>\n    with your major and career interests.\n  <\/p>\n<div style=\"padding:16px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#ffffff\">\n<div style=\"padding:12px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb;margin-bottom:10px\">\n      <strong>Civic Leadership &amp; Public Problem-Solving<\/strong><br \/>\n      <span style=\"color:#4b5563\">Public service \u2022 nonprofit leadership \u2022 organizational leadership \u2022 policy and governance<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:12px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb;margin-bottom:10px\">\n      <strong>Law, Justice &amp; Public Safety<\/strong><br \/>\n      <span style=\"color:#4b5563\">Pre-law \u2022 criminal justice \u2022 human rights \u2022 courts, policing, and public ethics<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:12px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb;margin-bottom:10px\">\n      <strong>Media, Communication &amp; Democracy<\/strong><br \/>\n      <span style=\"color:#4b5563\">Journalism \u2022 public relations \u2022 political communication \u2022 media, culture, and public opinion<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:12px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb;margin-bottom:10px\">\n      <strong>Education, Equal Opportunity &amp; Democracy<\/strong><br \/>\n      <span style=\"color:#4b5563\">Teaching and schools \u2022 civic education \u2022 equity \u2022 youth development and public policy<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:12px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb;margin-bottom:10px\">\n      <strong>Environment, Place &amp; Civic Futures<\/strong><br \/>\n      <span style=\"color:#4b5563\">Sustainability \u2022 planning \u2022 environmental justice \u2022 place-making and community resilience<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div style=\"padding:12px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb\">\n      <strong>Pluralism, Religion &amp; Civic Identity<\/strong><br \/>\n      <span style=\"color:#4b5563\">Diversity and belonging \u2022 interfaith \u2022 identity \u2022 democracy in a pluralistic society<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:14px 0 0;color:#4b5563\">\n      Learn more about pathways (with examples of course combinations):<br \/>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/commcenter.bsu.edu\/message\/choose-your-civic-path-new-civic-studies-minor-pathways-launch-at-ball-state\">https:\/\/commcenter.bsu.edu\/message\/choose-your-civic-path-new-civic-studies-minor-pathways-launch-at-ball-state<\/a>\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin:22px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>  <!-- WHO IT'S FOR --><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin:0 0 10px\">Who should consider this minor?<\/h2>\n<div style=\"padding:16px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#f9fafb\">\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 10px\">\nThe Civic Studies Minor is designed for students across Ball State\u2014whether you\u2019re in STEM, Business, Education, CCIM, Architecture and Planning, Fine Arts, Health, or Humanities\u2014who want to strengthen civic agency and ethical leadership. It\u2019s especially valuable if you\u2019re interested in education, law, journalism\/media, public policy, nonprofit leadership, social advocacy, community organizing, or government.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr style=\"margin:22px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid #e5e7eb\">\n<p>  <!-- CTA --><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding:18px;border:1px solid #e5e7eb;border-radius:12px;background:#111827;color:#ffffff\">\n<h2 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;line-height:1.15;color:#ffffff\">Ready to get started?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin:0 0 12px;color:#e5e7eb;line-height:1.55\">\nExplore the official program page, review requirements in the catalog, and then reach out for advising support.\n    <\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top:10px\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsu.edu\/academics\/collegesanddepartments\/educational-studies\/academic-programs\/minors\/civic-studies-minor\" style=\"margin:6px 10px 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:10px;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #ffffff;background:#ffffff;color:#111827;font-weight:800\"><br \/>\n        Program Page<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"https:\/\/bsu.smartcatalogiq.com\/2025-2026\/undergraduate-catalog\/teachers-college\/educational-studies\/minor-in-civic-studies\" style=\"margin:6px 10px 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:10px;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #ffffff;background:transparent;color:#ffffff;font-weight:800\"><br \/>\n        Catalog Requirements<br \/>\n      <\/a><\/p>\n<p>      <a href=\"mailto:cecl@bsu.edu\" style=\"margin:6px 0 0 0;padding:10px 14px;border-radius:10px;text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #ffffff;background:transparent;color:#ffffff;font-weight:800\"><br \/>\n        Email CECL: cecl@bsu.edu<br \/>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:12px 0 0;color:#e5e7eb;font-size:14px\">\n      Tip: Start with HONR 390 or CVIC 200, then build electives around a pathway that matches your major.\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Center for Economic &amp; Civic Learning (CECL) \u2022 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\u2014on campus, in your career, and in your community. Official BSU Program Page Courses &amp; Requirements (Catalog) Explore Thematic Pathways Quick facts: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":966,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1179","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Civic Studies Minor - Center for Economic and Civic Learning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/civics\/civic-studies-minor\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Civic Studies Minor - Center for Economic and Civic Learning\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Center for Economic &amp; Civic Learning (CECL) \u2022 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\u2014on campus, in your career, and in your community. 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