The Ohio State University has granted the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society its first minor, which will be available for students this spring.
On Wednesday, the university’s Council on Academic Affairs approved a minor in Civics, Law, and Leadership.
“This minor in Civics, Law, and Leadership exemplifies the significant progress the Chase faculty and staff have made in a very short time toward achieving the Center’s mission of bringing citizenship education to Ohio State students,” said Executive Director Lee Strang. “This would not have been possible without the support we have received from the university, the board of trustees, and state legislators in building this unique center for civics education.”
Brian Schoen, assistant director of the Chase Center, said this minor will give students the chance to learn valuable skills, knowledge, and ways of processing ideas that will be a complement to any major or career path.
“Mastering a knowledge of America’s shared civic tradition and honing civic skills will be assets in law, business, education, government, STEM, and any other career,” Schoen said. “Learning to bear the responsibilities of free American citizenship has real-world applications throughout our society.”
Strang said approval from the Council on Academic Affairs was the key milestone. He said he predicts this will be just the first of more future minors and majors the Chase Center will be able to offer Ohio State students in the coming years.
The Chase Center was officially launched in 2024 and began offering its first two courses for the Fall 2025 semester. Faculty members who were hired by the Center in the summer of 2025 developed 10 new courses that are being offered starting in Spring 2026. Those courses will comprise some of the offerings students will have to earn the minor in Civics, Law, and Leadership.
“Our entire team at the Chase Center has worked closely with partners and stakeholders around the university to create a solid foundation for a world-class center dedicated to civics education,” Strange said. “The fact that this has been achieved in such a short period of time is evidence of the value Ohio State sees in teaching the foundational ideas that built this nation – knowledge that will prepare students to become engaged, informed citizens and leaders.”
For information about the Chase Center and its Spring 2026 classes, visit www.chasecenter.osu.edu.