Certificate in US Government and Politics

Master the Arts and Ideas of Politics in America

Become an expert in the nature, structure, history, and philosophy of government in the United States with Ashland’s Graduate Certificate in US Government and Politics. Designed for secondary school teachers, public policy professionals, legislative and executive staffers, and others with a personal or professional interest in government in the United States.

Improve your Teaching and your Professional Marketability

With many states and school districts now making a push to offer College Credit Plus programs—college-level courses taught on high school campuses—teachers like you need courses that can prepare you for the challenge of college-level instruction. Whether your state calls it College Credit Plus, Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, Postsecondary Education Option, or another moniker, Ashland’s Graduate Certificate Program in US Government and Politics is suitable for secondary school teachers who already hold a graduate degree in another field but wish to become qualified to teach postsecondary political science courses.

Who Should Apply?

  • Secondary school teachers with a master's degree in another field who seek to become qualified to teach post-secondary courses in US government
  • Those with a master's degree in another field who seek to teach undergraduate courses on an adjunct basis
  • Legislative or other local, state, or federal government staffers interested in improving their knowledge of the nature of government in the United States
  • Anyone with a personal or professional interest in American government

Program Structure

Each course in the program is offered for two (2) semester credit hours. Courses are offered in two formats:
  • As residential Weeklong Summer courses during the months of June and July at our Ashland, Ohio campus.
  • As live online webconference courses offered on various schedules throughout the academic year.
The typical time to completion of the certificate program is 12 months to 15 months. Students may take up to eight (8) total credit hours during any one semester. Students may take up to two (2) concurrent fall or spring semester Live Online courses, and no more than four (4) during any one semester. Only one course may be taken at a time during summer semesters. Students may not take a Weeklong Summer and a Live Online course concurrently. Students should consult with their program advisor to discuss their semester-by-semester load. All certificate requirements must be completed within ten (10) years from the date of the first course attempted.

Take the first step.

Learn more about MAHG and how you can be the expert teacher your students need. Admission is conducted on a rolling basis.