Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by the Department of Government , School of Public Affairs , this interdisciplinary major is designed for students who want a breadth of background necessary to participate effectively in decision making for public affairs and the practical training necessary to deal with social problems as public issues.

Admission to the Program

New freshmen and transfer students are admitted through the university’s Admissions Office. Students currently enrolled in the university who wish to transfer into the Department of Government or develop a double major or minor should have a grade point average of 2.50 or higher and the approval of the undergraduate academic advisor.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Major Requirements

57 credit hours with grades of C or better

Course Requirements

Required

One course from the following:

Additional Credit Hours

24 additional credit hours, including 12 credit hours at the 300 level or above, selected from a list of approved courses in communication (COMM-xxx), legal institutions (JLS-xxx), economics (ECON-xxx), and government (GOVT-xxx). The list of approved courses is available in the Department of Government office.

University Honors Program

To graduate with University Honors in the major through the University Honors Program, students must meet the requirements detailed on the Honors website and have been enrolled as either a first-year student between Fall 1989 and Spring 2014, or as a transfer or self-nominated student through Spring 2015. The University Honors Program should not be confused with the AU Honors Program, which begins in Fall 2014 and has separate requirements, also detailed on the Honors website.

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.