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Classical Liberal Education and Civic Leadership, MA

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  1. Degree Programs
  2. Graduate Degrees
  3. Classical Liberal Education and Civic Leadership

At a Glance: program details
  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Student Handbook

Explore the classic texts and great thinkers of history in Socratic seminar discussions with world-class professors. This interdisciplinary degree is ideal for K--12 teachers, aspiring civic leaders and students who are preparing to apply to PhD programs.

This program's name has changed effective Fall 2025. The previous name was Classical Liberal Education and Leadership.


Program Description

Degree Awarded: MA Classical Liberal Education and Civic Leadership

The Master of Arts program in classical liberal education and civic leadership is an interdisciplinary course of study that fosters student engagement through the Socratic method of classroom dialogue. Students in this program join a community of students and faculty oriented to the holistic pursuit of knowledge. They can focus on a particular field of study, which helps them become more competitive in their area of employment.

The curriculum spans disciplines and topics, including classical antiquity and American civics. It combines theory with practice, and ideas with application. Students inquire into the meaning of the good life and the practical challenge of leading others, including nations, societies and individuals. Students grapple with the perennial questions of the human experience: What is the best form of government? The most just economy? The proper relationship between the self and the state?

From Plato and Locke to Jefferson and Lincoln, the great thinkers of the past guide students through the age-old debates about how individuals and societies flourish or flounder. As Aristotle taught, there is no substitute for doing the right thing in the right way. This is true in how children are educated, coexistence with neighbors, and governance of nations. The classical liberal education and civic leadership program aims to prepare the next generation's teachers, scholars and statesmen to meet the challenges ahead with integrity, prudence and imagination.


Degree Requirements

Curriculum Plan Options

  • 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (CEL 593)
  • 30 credit hours including a thesis

Required Core (9 credit hours)
CEL 501 Literary Leaders (3)
CEL 503 Classic Texts in Political Philosophy and Justice (3)
CEL 513 Classic Texts in Leadership and Statesmanship (3)

Restricted Elective (3 credit hours)
LAT 421 Roman Literature (3)
SLC 598 Topic: Greco-Roman Ideas of Leadership and Politics (3)
SLC 598 Topic: The Classical Tradition: Greco-Roman Antiquity Now (3)
SLC 598 Topic: Tragedy and Comedy in the Greek Polis (3)

Open Electives or Research (12 or 15 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
CEL 593 Applied Project (3)
CEL 599 Thesis (6)

Additional Curriculum Information
For the restricted elective, students select one course from the list of options. Students should see the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership for the most current list. Other courses may be substituted with approval of the academic unit.

Open electives and research are selected in consultation with the academic advisor.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in liberal arts, political science, history, philosophy, theology, the natural sciences or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

Applicants are required to submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. three letters of recommendation from people in education or leadership positions
  4. written statement
  5. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.


Flexible Degree Options

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in as little as five years.
It is offered as an accelerated bachelor's and master's degree with:

BA - Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Do you want to help reshape society? With the skills you gain from this solid academic foundation, you'll leave ASU prepared to meet today's challenges --- whether you create foreign or domestic policy, build a nonprofit that strengthens communities or lead a business that impacts the lives of many.

Website | Locations: TEMPE

BS - Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership

Whether your dream career includes helping to create foreign or domestic policy, building a nonprofit or leading a business, gain the skills you'll need to meet the challenges of life.

Website | Locations: TEMPE


Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. During their junior year, eligible students will be advised by their academic departments to apply.



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Application Deadlines

Fall

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type
Session A/C
In Person
April 15th
Final
Session A/C
In Person
February 1st
Priority

Spring

Session
Modality
Deadline
Type
Session A/C
In Person
November 1st
Final
Session A/C
In Person
October 1st
Priority


Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program draw from the wisdom of the past to confront the challenges of the future. They have specialized knowledge to advance in a chosen field. As the workforce evolves, a graduate degree shows that employees are dedicated to enhancing their industry expertise and credibility.

A master's degree can open many career doors, including certain career fields, advancement opportunities and higher salaries in the following areas:

  • civic leadership and engagement
  • education, at all levels
  • government
  • nonprofit work
  • politics

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • [email protected]
  • 480/965-0155


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor's degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor's degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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