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OREM — K-12 classrooms need teachers who understand the United States Constitution. Utah Valley University's new master's program wants to help.
The constitutional government, civics and law program offers two tracks — one for current or prospective K-12 teachers and another for research.
"We need programs like this to foster a better understanding of America's constitutional system of government among the rising generation and adult citizens," program director Troy Smith said.
Civics education is due for a revamp — as 70% of registered American voters fail a basic civic literacy quiz on topics like the three branches of government, the number of Supreme Court justices and other basic democratic functions, according to a February study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Nine out of 10 Americans think civics education is important to the success of the country, but fewer than half believe we are doing a good job at it. Only 25% of study participants said they were "very confident" they could explain how the U.S. government works.
This gap in understanding shows, Smith said. People often talk about the Constitution as something abstract — either a flawed, outdated system or a magic cure-all for political woes.
"I don't think it's the Constitution that has failed, but I think we have failed to understand how it was intended to be used," he said.
The Constitution isn't intended to make us all the same, Smith said. Rather, it's supposed to foster liberty, which opens up opportunities for diversity and disagreement.
"Compromise has become a dirty word in our society today but, ultimately, that is a fundamental part of what the Constitution is trying to get us to do," he said.
And it's part of what the new master's program will teach. Applied skills are a "fundamental part" of the program, Smith said.
Classes will also focus on reading original documents, looking at the philosophers and philosophies behind them, understanding the legal component of the Constitution and analyzing how constitutional interpretation has changed over time.
Most students in the program's current cohort are already teachers in professional programs. Some are fresh out of undergrad, looking to ultimately get a law degree or doctorate.
I don't think it's the Constitution that has failed, but I think we have failed to understand how it was intended to be used.
– Troy Smith, UVU program director
To accommodate students with full-time positions, the 30-credit hour program will be fully remote during the traditional school year. For a few weeks out of the year, students will have the chance to study at Oxford's Pembroke College.
Utah Valley University's new program is one of just a handful of constitutional teaching master's programs in the country. So far, the students are enthusiastic and excited, Smith said — although, they do say there is a lot of reading.
