Ohio University is set to introduce a new American Civic Literacy (ACL) requirement for undergraduate students, starting this fall. This initiative, established through Ohio’s Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, will be reflected in the degree planning of students earning a bachelor’s degree in Spring 2030 or later.
The new requirement is seamlessly integrated into OHIO’s existing general education and academic planning processes, offering students multiple pathways to fulfill the ACL while progressing toward their BRICKS requirements.
Understanding the American Civic Literacy Requirement
To meet the ACL requirement, students must successfully complete an approved course that includes a cumulative final examination assessing their proficiency with required civic and historical texts. The course content covers essential documents such as the U.S. ConstitutionDeclaration of Independence selections from The Federalist Papers the Emancipation Proclamation the Gettysburg Address Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and writings of Adam Smith, including principles from The Wealth of Nations.
Approved ACL Courses and BRICKS Requirements
Ohio University has approved several courses that fulfill the ACL requirement. Notably, each approved ACL course also satisfies a BRICKS general education requirement, allowing students to make progress toward their degree while completing the ACL. The approved courses and their corresponding BRICKS categories include:
- CARS 2800Z – Religion and American Civics — Arch Constructed World (ACSW)
- ENG 1776Z – Reading the American Republic — Arch Constructed World (ACSW)
- HIST 1776Z – The American Civic Tradition — Pillar Humanities: Texts and Contexts (PHTC)
- HIST 2000Z – Survey of United States History, 1600-1877 — Pillar Social or Behavioral Sciences (PSBS)
- PHIL 2120Z – History of Western Philosophy: Modern — Arch Constructed World (ACSW)
- PHIL 2400Z – Social and Political Philosophy — Pillar Humanities: Texts and Contexts (PHTC)
- POLS 1010Z – Introduction to US Politics — Pillar Social or Behavioral Sciences (PSBS)
- POLS 2000Z – American Politics, Policy, and Administration — Arch Connected World (ACNW)
- WGSS 2400Z – Women and the American Civic Tradition — Arch Constructed World (ACSW)
The Significance of the “Z” Course Designation
Faculty, staff, and students will notice that approved ACL courses include a “Z” suffix at the end of the course number. This designation identifies the course as including the American Civic Literacy content approved by Ohio University and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. For example, POLS 1010Z satisfies the ACL requirement. Students and advisors can identify ACL courses using the “ACL Courses Only” special course filter and the American Civic Literacy attribute in Schedule Planner.
Planning for ACL Through DARS and Graduation Plans
Although students do not need to complete ACL during their first year, early planning can help ensure they select an ACL course that fits within their The ACL requirement will be included in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) for bachelor’s degree-seeking students, allowing them to track completion along with other graduation requirements.
OHIO Guarantee+ Graduation Plans will also include planning for an approved ACL course. As Graduation Plans are developed and reviewed, students and advisors can identify where an ACL course fits within the student’s pathway to graduation and select an ACL course that also meets an appropriate BRICKS requirement. Together, DARS and Graduation Plans will help make the new requirement visible early in a student’s academic career and support thoughtful course selection.
Key Information for Faculty and Staff
The ACL requirement applies to students earning a bachelor’s degree in Spring 2030 or later, including those who may already hold a bachelor’s degree and are completing an additional bachelor’s degree. Students graduating before Spring 2030 are not required to complete an ACL course.
Transfer coursework may also satisfy the requirement when the course has been approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education for the American Civic Literacy designation. Students with questions about whether transfer credit meets the requirement should work with their success advisor.
Faculty and staff who work with undergraduate students can help by reinforcing that ACL is a new state graduation requirement and it has been intentionally incorporated into OHIO’s existing curriculum and academic planning processes. With appropriate planning, students can fulfill ACL while also making progress toward their BRICKS general education requirements.
Additional Resources and Support
Additional information, including frequently asked questions, course search information, transfer credit guidance, and advising information, is available on the American Civic Literacy FAQ webpage. Students with questions about how the requirement applies to their individual academic plan should contact their success advisor.
