Great Books in Political Thought, Certificate
Examine enduring questions about justice, liberty, democracy and power while connecting classic ideas to today's political issues. This certificate strengthens any major, humanities, STEM, business or public service, with a foundation in ethical reasoning and political thought.
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Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Great Books in Political Thought undergraduate certificate description
This certificate program in great books in political thought teaches you the foundational great books, focusing on political thought and the Western civic tradition. Beginning with the classics like Plato, Aristotle and the Bible; moving to medieval thought with Augustine and Aquinas; and then to early and late modern authors such as Machiavelli, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Burke and Marx with other great writers like Tocqueville and Hawthorne, this program helps you engage with impactful texts that have been thought and debated through recorded history and were instrumental in shaping political ideas and institutions today.
GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
Why earn a great books in political thought undergraduate certificate at ASU?
ASU's great books in political thought certificate sets itself apart by pairing the study of foundational political texts with an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to civic leadership and public problem solving.
Housed in ASU's School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, the program lets you learn from faculty versed in political philosophy, history, economics and constitutional studies through discussion-based courses built on close reading, civil discourse and analytical writing. You'll also tap into ASU's wealth of undergraduate research, internships, civic engagement, leadership programming and ties to public policy and community organizations.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
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The certificate in great books in political thought requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be completed through The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better may be applied toward the certificate requirements. |
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CEL 100 Great Ideas of Politics and Ethics
(HUAD)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
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C | 3 |
|
CEL 306 Justice and Virtue: Classical Political Thought
(HUAD)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
CEL 308 Liberty and Equality: Early Modern Political Thought
(CIVI)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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Enrollment requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before an undergraduate degree is completed. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this great books in political thought undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates are prepared with key, specialized knowledge on political thought and civics. They can expect to specialize in their chosen career paths, such as a classical charter school teacher, professor, political scientist or news analyst.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership
|
COOR 6611
scetladvising@asu.edu
480-965-0155
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
