Program Description
The certificate program in political history and leadership provides students with a strong foundation in the history of politics and political thought, with a special emphasis on the role of leadership and citizenship. Students come to understand the complexities of real decision-making beyond the abstractions. The program prepares students for leadership in their careers.
Required courses combine academic study and mentoring contact with political, media and business leaders from the wider Phoenix area and Arizona communities, while electives drawn from a variety of disciplines are used to broaden the scope of emphasis.
The program offers scholarship and internship or job placement opportunities.
Program Requirements
The certificate requires 15 credit hours, of which at least 12 must be upper-division. At least six upper-division hours must be completed in courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. All courses must be completed in residence at ASU and with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher.
Required Courses -- 6 credit hours
Elective Courses (choose three) -- 9 credit hours
Choose 9 hours of upper-division electives from the list below.
Additional upper-division courses with relevant content may be used with the approval of the certificate co-directors.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Enrollment Requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the practical skills necessary in policy-making, administration and organization, informed all the while by fundamental principles of democracy and republicanism.
- Students will analyze major themes and ideas found in an array of primary sources on a topic related to political leadership in history.
- Students will analyze ideas and questions raised by major political thinkers writing about democracy.
Career Outlook
Students become more marketable to employers and advance their career options when they have complemented their major program of study with this specialization in political history and leadership.
Students who complete this certificate often pursue employment as military officers, governor's office staff, members of congress, city council officials, county prosecutors, financial advisors and campaign strategists. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Management Analysts
- Growth: 9.7%
- Median Salary*: 95290
Chief Executives
- Growth: -8.2%
- Median Salary*: 189520
Training and Development Managers
- Growth: 6.5%
- Median Salary*: 120000
Historians
- Growth: 3.1%
- Median Salary*: 64540
History Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 1.3%
- Median Salary*: 79400
Lawyers
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: 135740
Political Scientists
- Growth: 6.6%
- Median Salary*: 128020
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.7%
- Median Salary*: 83770
Legislators
- Growth: 3.4%
- Median Salary*: 48090
Urban and Regional Planners
- Growth: 3.7%
- Median Salary*: 79540
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
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.
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
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
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.
