Constitutional Government Civics and Law, M.A. | Utah Valley University Academic Catalog

Visit the Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law page for more information on the program and access to advising.

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Constitutional Government, Civics, and Law (MACGCL) is offered by the School of Education and the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University, with program support from Pembroke College at Oxford University, and offers two areas of concentration. The teaching track enhances an individual’s ability to teach social studies in K-12 public and private schools and in community colleges. The research track prepares individuals to pursue doctoral studies in constitutional law, history, or political science. Both tracks focus on the foundations of the American political system through close readings of key texts in American constitutional and political history.

Matriculation Requirements

Application for admission to graduate program with application fee by the established deadline.
Submit official transcripts from all universities attended.
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university, a nationally accredited program, or the international equivalent.
A 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 GPA calculated on the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate work.
Submission of admissions essay
Submission of two letters of recommendation
For international students whose native language is not English, submit official TOEFL or IELTS band scores. A TOEFL score of 80 iBT (550 pBT) or higher, or an IELTS band score of 6.5 or higher within the past two years is required.
International students must also meet all US government requirements for international students.
The university uses a selective admissions process for admitting students to graduate programs. Meeting minimum admissions criteria does not guarantee admission to the graduate program or to the University as a graduate student

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours		30
Discipline Core Requirements ¹		30 Credits
CGCL 6100	Foundations of American Constitutionalism	3
CGCL 6200	Foundations of American Democracy	2
CGCL 6300	Foundations of American Liberty	2
CGCL 6400	American Political Development	2
CGCL 6110	Structures of Government in American Constitutional Law	3
CGCL 6120	Rights and Liberties in American Constitutional Law	3
Complete One of the Following		6
Teaching Track
EDUC 6320	21st Century Instruction and Assessment (3)
EDUC 6400	Contemporary Issues in Teacher Leadership (3)
Research Track
CGCL 6970R	Masters Thesis Research (undefined) (Taken twice for 3 credits each semester)
Complete 9 credits of electives		9
CGCL 6160	Roots of the American Regime (undefined)
CGCL 6180	Constitutional Interpretation (undefined)
CGCL 6190	Constitutional Law in Education (undefined)
CGCL 6310	Early American Political Thought (undefined)
CGCL 6320	Modern American Political Thought (undefined)
CGCL 6420	The Presidency in American Political Development (undefined)
CGCL 6430	The Supreme Court in American Political Development (undefined)
CGCL 6440	Parties in American Political Development (undefined)

¹: If on the research track, students may take 3 credits of CGCL 697R instead of EDUC 6320 and another 3 credits of CGCL 697R instead of EDUC 6400. Students on the research track must submit and defend a thesis.

Graduation Requirements

A minimum of 30 credit hours shall be completed for the degree.
Graduate coursework shall be completed within a six-year period.
Credit for courses in which a student earns a grade of B- or lower shall not be applied to the master’s degree.
A cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher shall be maintained in graduate program courses in order to earn the master’s degree.
Graduate credits accepted from another regionally accredited institution or equivalent shall have been completed within four years of the graduate student’s matriculation into the graduate program and cannot be older than six years at the time of graduation with a master’s degree or graduate certificate from the University.
A minimum of 20 of graduate credit hours for the degree must be completed at Utah Valley University.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1		Credit Hours
CGCL 6100	Foundations of American Constitutionalism	3
CGCL 6200	Foundations of American Democracy	2
CGCL 6300	Foundations of American Liberty	2
CGCL 6400	American Political Development	2
	Credit Hours	9
Semester 2
EDUC 6320 or CGCL 6970R	21st Century Instruction and Assessment ¹ or Masters Thesis Research	3
CGCL 6110	Structures of Government in American Constitutional Law	3
	Credit Hours	6
Semester 3
EDUC 6400 or CGCL 6970R	Contemporary Issues in Teacher Leadership or Masters Thesis Research	3
CGCL 6120	Rights and Liberties in American Constitutional Law	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Semester 4
CGCL 6310	Early American Political Thought	3
CGCL 6180	Constitutional Interpretation	2
CGCL 6160	Roots of the American Regime	2
CGCL 6430	The Supreme Court in American Political Development	2
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	30

An online graduation plan offers students a flexible yet structured approach to their academic journey. While this sample serves as a general guideline, individual plans may differ based on Math and English placement scores. Meeting with an academic advisor is strongly recommended to customize plans and ensure all graduation requirements are met.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) are Certified Online Courses, meeting UVU’s high standards for quality and accessibility.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1		Credit Hours
CGCL 6100	Foundations of American Constitutionalism	3
CGCL 6200	Foundations of American Democracy	2
CGCL 6300	Foundations of American Liberty	2
CGCL 6400	American Political Development	2
	Credit Hours	9
Semester 2
EDUC 6320 or CGCL 6970R	21st Century Instruction and Assessment or Masters Thesis Research	3
CGCL 6110	Structures of Government in American Constitutional Law	3
	Credit Hours	6
Semester 3
EDUC 6400 or CGCL 6970R	Contemporary Issues in Teacher Leadership or Masters Thesis Research	3
CGCL 6120	Rights and Liberties in American Constitutional Law	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Semester 4
CGCL 6310	Early American Political Thought	3
CGCL 6180	Constitutional Interpretation	2
CGCL 6160	Roots of the American Regime	2
CGCL 6430	The Supreme Court in American Political Development	2
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	30

Program Learning Outcomes

Analyze the American constitutional system and the requirements for its continuation.
Interpret primary source documents from American constitutional history.
Distinguish between what promotes and what undermines the American constitutional order.
Promote measures that will increase American citizens' understanding of their constitutional regime.

Managers, all other

Total Positions1,282,500
Field Growth5.7%
Median Salary$133,560
Average Openings105.8

Political scientists

Total Positions6,200
Field Growth2.6%
Median Salary$132,350
Average Openings0.5

Political science teachers, postsecondary

Total Positions21,700
Field Growth3.3%
Median Salary$93,810
Average Openings1.7

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

Total Positions1,071,400
Field Growth-0.6%
Median Salary$65,220
Average Openings64.0