The Role of the Center for Civic Excellence
The Center for Civic Excellence is the administrative unit responsible for overseeing and assessing general education at Utah State University.
The Center operates within established faculty governance processes, including review and approval through the University Curriculum Committee and the Educational Policies Committee. It works in partnership with departments and colleges to coordinate curriculum, maintain shared learning outcomes and guide continuous improvement.
The Center does not alter credit totals or transfer policy. Its role is to support coherence and coordination across the university-wide program.
Mission and Vision
Mission
In the Center, students come first. Our mission is to help students develop a foundation of durable skills that will set them up for success in their personal and civic lives as well as their academic and professional careers.
Vision
Deliver the most compelling, intentional, and meaningful common undergraduate experience in the state of Utah and beyond.
General Education at USU
At Utah State University, general education is a formal academic program of study consisting of a 27-credit General Education Certificate of Completion required for all degree-seeking students.
Since 2005, State Policy R470 requires all students to take nine courses from the following two categories:
Core
- Communication Literacy (CL - 6 credits)
- Quantitative Literacy (QL - 3 credits)
- American Institutions (BAI - 3 credits
Breadth
- Life Science (BLS - 3 credits)
- Physical Science (BPS - 3 credits)
- Social Science (BSS - 3 credits)
- Creative Arts (BCA - 3 credits)
- Humanities (BHU - 3 credits)
When completed in full, the certificate transfers across Utah System of Higher Education institutions (as do all individual classes). This certificate provides the academic foundation for every undergraduate degree at USU.
The Center for Civic Excellence is proud to offer 23 new purpose-built courses to help students fulfill these general education requirements in a more meaningful and comprehensive manner.
Development Timeline
March 2025
Utah Senate Bill 334
Senate Bill 334, Center for Civic Excellence at Utah State University, passed the Utah House on March 4 and the Utah Senate on March 5. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 24, 2025, formally establishing the Center for Civic Excellence at USU.
April 2025
Faculty Visioning Sessions
The Provost's Office organized 15 visioning sessions for the new general education curriculum. Over 270 faculty members from across USU participated and provided guidance.
June–July 2025
Summer Steering Committees
Approximately 60 faculty members with expertise in general education and related administrative responsibilities were selected to serve on eight summer steering committees. The steering committees met extensively through the summer to brainstorm ideas for new courses and to draft program and course learning outcomes.
September–October 2025
Concurrent Enrollment Meetings
Center and USU concurrent enrollment leadership met with all high school and school district partners in its service area to update them on USU's general education reform and consult with them about the new opportunities available to high school students.
November 2025
Faculty Curriculum Committee Created
Members of the Center for Civic Excellence Curriculum Committee were selected based upon expertise in general education and in consultation with the steering committees, deans and department heads. The committee is comprised of faculty from all ranks and with representation from all colleges.
December 2025
Orientation for First Generation of Teachers for the Center
Approximately 70 faculty participated in a day-long orientation to the Center for Civic Excellence and the course design principles that will guide course development.
January 2026
Department Head Task Force Created
The provost and deans appointed a group of department heads from across USU to a task force that will propose policies and processes for scheduling, faculty evaluation, and general interactions with the Center for Civic Excellence.
February 2026
New CIVIC Courses and Learning Outcomes Approved
The University Curriculum Committee and Educational Policies Committee approved twenty-three new course titles and descriptions that were created by the Center for Civic Excellence Curriculum Committee for the classes that will be taught in the 2026-27 academic year. In addition, the Center for Civic Excellence Curriculum Committee approved the program and designation learning outcomes that guide syllabus development and course design.
Moving Forward
February-May 2026
Faculty-Led Course Creation
Faculty-led course design and development process (including faculty syllabi creation) begins for 23 new courses.
June 2026
Syllabi Review and Approval
All syllabi will be reviewed, given feedback, and approved for instruction by members of the Center for Civic Excellence Curriculum Committee.
August 2026
Soft Launch of New Center for Civic Excellence Courses
There will be a phased implementation process over several years. In the 2026-27 academic year, CIVC courses will provide roughly 10% of the general education seats.