Civic and Constitutional Thought
A bachelor of arts in Civic and Constitutional Thought prepares students for thoughtful citizenship, civil discourse, and public leadership.
Program overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Civic and Constitutional Thought prepares students to understand and address the challenges facing American civic life through rigorous study of American political thought, constitutionalism, American governing institutions, political philosophy, political economy, and American political development.
Beyond prerequisites and Vol Core requirements, the major consists of 30 hours: 18 hours of core courses, 12 hours in an upper-level concentration, and a professional development requirement.
Also available: Minor in American Civics
Why study Civic and Constitutional Thought?
At a time when civic knowledge, civil discourse, and responsible citizenship are urgently needed, this major prepares students to understand America’s constitutional tradition and contribute thoughtfully to public life.
Students in Civic and Constitutional Thought learn not only how American institutions work, but also how to reason carefully, communicate persuasively, disagree civilly, and lead responsibly in public life. The major develops the knowledge, judgment, communication skills, and habits of civic reasoning that prepare students for thoughtful citizenship and success in a wide variety of careers.
CCT is also designed to pair easily with other majors. Students may use it as a stand-alone major or as a second major alongside Public Affairs, Political Science, History, Economics, Philosophy, Education, Business, STEM fields, and other programs. It is also excellent preparation for law school.
Learn more about CCT as a second major
What can you do with a B.A. in Civic and Constitutional Thought after graduation?
The B.A. in Civic and Constitutional Thought prepares graduates with the foundational knowledge and skills to pursue careers in law, education, government, business, communications, public affairs, civic leadership, nonprofit work, and other public-facing roles.
For students considering law school, the major offers rigorous preparation in constitutionalism, legal reasoning, civic rhetoric, research, writing, and argument. The major also connects with important UT pathways, including the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences’ 4+1 social studies teacher education program and a developing 3+3 pathway with the Winston College of Law.
Potential career paths
- Attorney, after completing a J.D.
- Secondary social studies teacher, after completing the CEHHS 4+1 program or qualifying through another approved pathway
- Government service at the federal, state, or local level
- Graduate study in political science, history, philosophy, law, public policy, or a related field
- Journalist
- Legislative assistant
- Think tank researcher or analyst
- Speechwriter
Private-sector and public-facing roles
- Corporate communications specialist
- Public affairs or government relations associate
- Regulatory affairs or compliance analyst
- Risk management analyst
- Management consultant
- Public relations or strategic communications specialist
- Executive communications specialist or speechwriter
- Business development associate
- Organizational leadership or corporate training roles
A new chapter begins at the Institute of American Civics
The new major marks an important step in fulfilling the Institute’s mission to strengthen civic education and prepare students to engage thoughtfully with the ideas and institutions that shape American public life.
Hear from Executive Director Joshua Dunn and Associate Director Andrew Busch about what this milestone means for the IAC and for students at UT.
Featured Courses
IAC 102: Visions of America
Explore differing perspectives on core American ideals and values, including liberty, equality, justice, and democracy.
IAC 201: Construction and Reconstruction of the American Republic
Examines the philosophical, legal, cultural, and historical foundations of the American Revolution, the framing of the Constitution, the establishment of the new republic, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
IAC 203: Constitutional Foundations
Examines how policy challenges are addressed through the American constitutional framework, with an emphasis on case studies.
IAC 310: Athens to the Enlightenment: Western Origins of American Civic Life
Explores the intellectual and historical context from which the American experiment in constitutional self-government arose, through encounters with ancient, medieval, and early modern political philosophy; Greek, Roman, and English history; and important texts of American civic life.
Concentrations
Civic Thought
Required courses
- IAC 305: Democracy in America
- IAC 412: Philosophical Origins of American Politics
Plus any two of the following
- IAC 301: Institutions of Democratic Policymaking*
- IAC 311: Might and Right Among Nations
- IAC 313: War and Peace
- IAC 335: Cases of American Public Leadership
- IAC 413: The Military in American Democracy
- IAC 414: Roots of American Public Policy
- IAC 421: Modernization and Its Discontents
- IAC 441: Politics, Law, and Moral Character
- IAC 442: Religion, Liberty, and the Law
*Available as a concentration course only to students from outside the Baker School.
Constitutionalism and Law
Required courses
- IAC 302: American Legal System
- IAC 406: Constitutional Interpretation
Plus any two of the following
- IAC 303: Legal Research and Writing
- IAC 404: Crime, Law, and Justice
- IAC 405: Civil Law and Justice
- IAC 441: Politics, Law, and Moral Character
- IAC 442: Religion, Liberty, and the Law
General Concentration
Required courses
- IAC 305: Democracy in America
- IAC 406: Constitutional Interpretation
Plus two additional upper-level courses from either the Civic Thought or Constitutionalism and Law concentration.
Professional Development
IAC 489: Professional Development Practicum
Students will complete a zero-credit professional development practicum. Options may include internships, the Local Government Fellowship, directed research with a faculty member, or participation in a series of career-preparation workshops organized by the Baker School Office of Student Success.
CCT as a Double Major
Civic and Constitutional Thought is designed to work well as a second major.
- Students from outside the Baker School may complete CCT as a second major by taking only the 30 credit hours of core and concentration courses. Prerequisite, pre-core, and Vol Core requirements for CCT are waived for these students.
- For students enrolled in the Baker School, prerequisites, pre-core requirements, and Vol Core requirements will be almost entirely the same for CCT majors and Public Affairs majors, making it easy to double major or explore both majors before choosing one.
- Public Affairs majors may use the Law and Policy concentration to satisfy the CCT Constitutionalism and Law concentration.
- Students interested in adding CCT as a second major should complete the interest form and notify their primary academic advisor. Questions about the CCT major or the form can be directed to [email protected].
Important UT Partnerships
Education
The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences will accept CCT as one of the undergraduate pathways for students pursuing the 4+1 program in secondary social studies education.
Law
The Baker School and the Institute of American Civics are partnering with the Winston College of Law to develop a B.A.-to-J.D. 3+3 program, allowing qualified students to accelerate their undergraduate education and begin law school at the University of Tennessee. The program is anticipated to launch in Fall 2027.
Admissions and Aid
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