American Founding and Constitution, Certificate
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 Through discussion-based courses focused on primary sources, historical documents, and foundational debates, students will develop a deep and advanced understanding of both the American Founding and the Constitution, examining their origins,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.
Why Choose This Program?
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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.
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Interdisciplinary Approach – Courses draw from history, philosophy, political science, economics, and law.
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Funded Field Experience – Explore Revolutionary Philadelphia through archival research and immersive study in a funded field experience (see below for more details).
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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:
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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.
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Interpret Historical and Constitutional Perspectives – Assess key debates from the Founding period and subsequent constitutional interpretations, exploring their impact on American society and institutions.
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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.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for:
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Educators seeking to deepen their understanding of American history, government, and constitutional development.
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Policy professionals and legal scholars exploring the historical foundations and evolving interpretations of the U.S. Constitution.
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Individuals interested in civic engagement and the philosophical principles of democracy.
Program Format
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Total Credits: 12 (Four graduate-level courses)
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Delivery Mode: Online and hybrid options available
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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.