APSA Working Group on American Civics Undergraduate Course Mandates: APSA Virtual Research Group Workshop
APSA 2026 Virtual Research Meeting
April 15 – April 16, 2026 (EST) | Apply to Research Group Workshop
Application Deadline: February 25, 2026
Workshop Organizers: Howard Bartlett Sanborn (Oklahoma State University); William Dean Schreckhise (University of Arkansas, Fayetteville)
The APSA Working Group on American Civics Undergraduate Course Mandates examines the growing number of state, university system, and institutional requirements that require undergraduate students to complete American government or civics coursework. Originally launched through APSA’s Departmental Services Program in fall 2025, the working group brings together political science faculty from public and private institutions across the United States to support departments navigating these externally mandated undergraduate credit requirements. The group’s work focuses on four core areas: developing curriculum and learning outcomes, examining variation across mandate structures, identifying departmental strategies for managing increased undergraduate enrollment, and supporting departmental advocacy for resources to meet new instructional demands.
During the Workshop
Participants will meet for eight 90-minute sessions across two days and will engage in collaborative research, data collection, and resource development. During the workshop, participants will contribute to collecting and analyzing information on the diverse civic education mandates affecting higher education institutions and will collaborate on developing shared toolkits, curricular materials, and departmental support resources. Sessions will include structured discussions, collaborative working groups, and peer exchange focused on identifying best practices, institutional challenges, and effective implementation strategies. Applicants with experience teaching American government or civics courses, developing curriculum, supporting departmental administration, or researching civic education policy are especially encouraged to apply.
The workshop is designed to foster collaboration among faculty across institution types and to support the development of discipline-wide guidance for political science programs responding to civics course mandates. The 2026 VRM sessions will also serve as preparatory work for a planned full-day short course at the 2026 APSA Annual Meeting. The working group aims to refine and disseminate shared resources, recommendations, and teaching materials to the discipline by 2027 while continuing to build a collaborative scholarly and professional network focused on civic education in political science.
How to Apply
The submission system is open for workshop participant applications! The application deadline is Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
Research Group Workshops are the central feature of the APSA Virtual Research Meeting, designed to bring scholars together over two days of collaborative engagement, interactive discussion, and joint research development. Each Research Group will meet for eight 90-minute sessions across both days, with participants expected to engage throughout the full workshop series.
Due to limited capacity and overlapping schedules, participants may only apply to one Research Group. To apply, candidates must submit a Statement of Interest tailored to their selected workshop by the deadline and are encouraged to review the workshop descriptions carefully before applying.
The American Political Science Association’s 2026 Virtual Research Meeting, held on April 15 & 16, 2026, is an annual two-day online event provides a forum for scholars worldwide interested in sharing their research, receiving in-depth feedback, and creating partnerships and networks for future collaboration. Stay tuned for registration! Visit the website to learn more.
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