Graduate Certificate in the American Founding and Constitution

Advance Your Understanding of America’s Founding and Constitutional Principles

The American Founding and the Constitution Graduate Certificate program provides an interdisciplinary exploration of the legal, philosophical, political, and historical foundations of the United States. Through discussion-based courses focused on primary sources, historical documents, and foundational debates, students will develop a deep and advanced understanding of both the American Founding and the Constitution, examining their origins, evolution, and lasting impact on governance, law, and civic life.

This four-course, graduate-level program is designed for educators, professionals, and scholars seeking to enhance their knowledge of American constitutionalism, the foundational ideas that shaped the nation, and how the Constitution has been interpreted and applied over time.

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Why Choose This Program?

Engage with Primary Texts – Study key documents, speeches, and writings from the Founding Era and constitutional history, including The Federalist Papers, the Constitution, landmark Supreme Court cases, and Tocqueville’s Democracy in America.
Interdisciplinary Approach – Courses draw from history, philosophy, political science, economics, and law.
Funded Field Experience – Explore Revolutionary Philadelphia through archival research and immersive study in a funded field experience (see below for more details).
Flexible Learning – Designed to accommodate working professionals with online and hybrid course offerings.
Scholarships Available - Tuition scholarships, including some scholarships covering the full tuition costs for a class, are available for eligible students.

Priority Access to CEU's - Students in the program receive priority access to American Founding and Constitution programs offering educators opportunities to earn continuing education units.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, students will be able to:

Critically Analyze Foundational Documents – Evaluate key texts from the Founding Era and constitutional history to assess their influence on American political thought and legal development.
Interpret Historical and Constitutional Perspectives – Assess key debates from the Founding period and subsequent constitutional interpretations, exploring their impact on American society and institutions.
Understand the Development of the Nation and its Constitution – Analyze how philosophical, political, and economic ideas from the Founding era contributed to the shaping of the United States and the evolution of constitutional governance.

Program Requirements

To earn the graduate certificate, students complete four courses, including a course on the History of the Founding period, a course on debates on the Constitution and two elective courses. Students are welcome to take courses without earning the certificate as well.

Upcoming Courses

AFAC 550: Philadelphia: The Revolutionary City – 3 credits
Summer 2026, June 1 - June 21 (including week in Philadelphia, June 7 - June 14)

Examine the pivotal period of the American Revolution and Constitutional Convention. Students will explore the transformative nature of the American Experiment through primary sources, focusing on the political, social, and economic forces that led to independence and the drafting of the Constitution. Note that this course is limited to 12 students and spots are offered to students based on their cohort and order of admission.

Funded Field Experience: AFAC 550 includes a visit to Philadelphia, where students will conduct archival research, analyze historical documents, and develop high-quality teaching materials. Participants will work in archives such as the American Philosophical Society Library and the Library Company of Philadelphia while exploring key Revolutionary-era sites. Thanks to a generous donation, student housing, meals, and educational experiences during the week-long experience are provided by the program. Students are responsible for transportation to and from Philadelphia and incidental expenses.

AFAC 552: The History of American Economic Development: From Colonies to Reconstruction – 3 Credits Summer 2026, June 29 - August 9

Analyze the economic foundations of the United States, from colonial mercantilism to post-Civil War Reconstruction. Topics include the competing economic visions of Hamilton and Jefferson, the economics of slavery, and the long-term effects of early American economic policies. This 6-week hybrid course, taught by Dr. Ed Kosack in the Economics Department will include one 2.5 hour online course meeting per week as well as online activities and assignments.

AFAC 553: Congress - 3 Credits
Summer 2026, May 18 - August 3.

This 12-week online course will include one online meeting each week on Mondays from 7:00 pm to 9:15 pm as well as a one hour small group meeting each week (time is at the discretion of the group). Taught by Dr. Mack Mariani in the Political Science Department, the course focuses on the legislative branch of the US government, with en emphasis on Constitutional debates about the role of Congress, the relationship between Congres and the other branches of government and how the internal mechanisms of Congress, including the role of committees and leadership, have changed over time.

AFAC 551: American Foundations and the Constitution – 3 credits
Fall 2026, August 17 - December 7

This course, taught by Dr. John Ray in the Political Science Department, explores the philosophical foundations of American democracy and the U.S. Constitution. Students will engage with the writings of John Locke, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the debates surrounding the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, early Supreme Court decisions, and Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations on American democracy. The course will provide a deeper understanding of both the principles that shaped the nation and how the Constitution has been interpreted and applied throughout history.

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for:

Educators seeking to deepen their understanding of American history, government, and constitutional development.
Policy professionals and legal scholars exploring the historical foundations and evolving interpretations of the U.S. Constitution.
Individuals interested in civic engagement and the philosophical principles of democracy.

Program Format

Total Credits: 12 (Four graduate-level courses)
Delivery Mode: Online and hybrid options available
Duration: Can be completed in as little as one year

Get Started

Take the next step in your journey to understanding the American Founding and the U.S. Constitution. Learn more about enrollment requirements, deadlines, and tuition by contacting Dr. Mack Mariani at marianim@xavier.edu.