Getting started
Who can join the Citizen Scholars Program?
If you’re a first-year, second-year, or transfer student pursuing a degree in the College of Arts and Letters, you’re eligible to join the Citizen Scholars Program. Citizen scholars are dedicated to exploring the power of the arts and humanities and growing their leadership skills by leveraging all that the MSU and College of Arts and Letters has to offer. In doing so, you can also earn an undergraduate certificate in Reflective Leadership in the Arts and Humanities.
We welcome students who are eager to challenge themselves, achieve their academic potential, and engage in impactful program experiences and projects. We especially encourage students from diverse backgrounds and experiences to join us.
Undergraduate Certificate in Reflective Leadership in the Arts and Humanities
The arts and humanities give us the skills and habits of mind to design innovative processes and products, think creatively and critically about problems, build community, and communicate effectively. It’s no wonder, then, that students in the arts and humanities find themselves leading teams, community-organizations, and/or large institutions.
With that said, our undergraduate certificate in Reflective Leadership in the Arts and Humanities aims to provide and support a set of high-impact learning experiences and to facilitate moments of reflection on those experiences. As a whole, these experiences give students the opportunity to investigate how their knowledge of the arts and humanities can prepare them to be leaders in the next steps of their academic and professional journeys.
What are requirements of the certificate?
AL 270: Creating Meaningful Impact
Our introductory course invites students to investigate the research and communication practices in the arts and humanities and imagine how those skills can contribute to the common good.
Experiential Learning Requirement and Scholarship Support
Students in the College of Arts and Letters at MSU fulfill an experiential learning requirement. We aim to support that experience with scholarship dollars up to $2000.
Community-Engaged Learning
Citizen Scholars partner with our Community-Engaged Learning Office and the Spartans Volunteer Program to work alongside community-partners.
Networking, Leadership, and Professional Development Opportunities
The Citizen Scholars Program sponsors a host of opportunities to network with alums, conduct undergraduate research, and learn from nationally renowned experts. Participating in these experiences and documenting them in the Spartan Experience Record is an important part of being a Citizen Scholar
AL 460: Advanced Career Strategies for Students in the Arts and Humanities
This course helps Citizen Scholars as they prepare for the job market. Students work to compile their portfolios, build their professional networks, draft their applications materials, and strategize about their career opportunities.
Citizen Scholars Capstone
As a culminating moment, graduating Citizen Scholars are asked to look back on their time in the College of Arts and Letters and the Citizen Scholars Program to share how their experiences have shaped them as leaders and thinkers.
Ready to make a difference?
Whether it’s building your professional network, gaining funding for study abroad, or making a difference in your community, the Citizen Scholars Program is here to guide you every step of the way.