Students will complete the requirement by passing a test of civic literacy, and one of three paths:

• Attending six approved civics-related events.
• Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material.
• Completing one of these approved courses.

The Civics Literacy Graduation requirement applies to all Purdue West Lafayette students who enter Purdue on or after the fall 2021 catalog term, including transfer students. Students enrolled prior to the fall 2021 catalog term do not have to complete the requirement, but may choose to do so on a voluntary basis.

The Civics Literacy program was created with the goal of adding to the educational experience of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

The desired learning outcomes include:

• Increasing student understanding of important contemporary political issues.
• Identifying opportunities to grow one’s engagement in American politics.
• Raising student awareness of, and options for, civic participation.

The intent is for all incoming undergraduate students, including transfer student, from catalog term 2021 forward, to complete this requirement at some point during their time at Purdue. Therefore, it will be required to graduate.

There are no exceptions identified at this time.

Once the required test and one of the three options have been completed, a designation of “Civics Literacy Proficiency” will be placed on a student’s transcript in the semester in which activities were completed.  If you believe you completed the requirements and, at the end of the semester, this notation does not occur, please email: civicsliteracy@purdue.edu

Students can monitor their completion of the graduation requirement in myPurduePlan.  Students may also monitor completion in the myPurdue Student Civics Literacy Dashboard.

One of the options for satisfaction (plus the Civics Literacy test) is completion of a course on an approved list. These courses may be completed at Purdue.  Additionally, AP credit earned for these courses will count for completion. Courses transferred in as equivalent to a Purdue course will also count toward completion.  Questions about transfer credit may be directed to: transfercredit@purdue.edu  or  inti-transfercredit@purdue.edu 

Students must still pass the exam.

A grade of “C-“or higher is required when a course is taken for a grade.

Yes, students may retake the test as many times as needed to achieve successful completion.  A study guide for the exam is available.

Please contact: civicsliteracy@purdue.edu

Please contact Connie Doebele  cdoebele@purdue.edu . 

Register your event in Boilerlinks and ask for it to be reviewed for Civics Literacy.  A review team will approve or deny your request.