You are here: BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG

Contact Us

202-885-6203

Fax: 202-885-2967

Graduate Admissions: spagrad@american.edu

Government Programs: govt@american.edu

Kerwin Hall, Room 230

SPA: Government 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-8130 United States

Back to top

BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (CLEG)

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

Offered by the Department of Government, School of Public Affairs, the Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) (BA) 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.

AU Core Requirements

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum.

Major Requirements

  • 57 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level

Course Requirements

Required (27 credit hours)

Individual and State (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Law and Justice (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Research (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

CLEG Core (21 credit hours)

Complete 21 additional credit hours, including at least 12 credit hours at or above 300-level, with one course selected from each of the four categories (communication, legal institutions, economics, and government) and an additional three courses approved by the Department of Government. Courses may not be taken to satisfy multiple core requirements. The list of approved courses is also available in the Department of Government office.

Communication

Legal Institutions

Economics

Government

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 Admission to a Combined Bachelor's / Master's Program and Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees for more information.

Apply Now
  • For additional information regarding American University's undergraduate admissions requirements and application process, please visit american.edu/admissions.
    Admission to SPA
  • SPA undergraduate program experience
    We offer our students extensive individual attention and a dynamic and rigorous curriculum. We heavily promote our academic side, offering in-depth learning from accomplished faculty, and we also encourage our students to undertake internships and study abroad.
    Read More

Program Goals

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of key theories, concepts, and issues surrounding the study of political institutions and processes from the four foci of the major: Communications, Law, Economics, and Government.
  2. Demonstrate critical thinking, written and oral communication skills.
  3. Demonstrate competence in analyzing, interpreting and evaluating. within the realm of public policy.
  4. Apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the major to the practice of actual politics and policy-making.