The Civic Initiative

The University of Massachusetts Civic Initiative is dedicated to promoting democracy through education in both the United States and abroad.

Each year, we bring a select group of students, scholars, and professionals from around the world to the UMass Amherst campus for courses that examine modern politics and public policy.

Programs are designed for attendees to improve their leadership skills, increase their subject knowledge, and learn about U.S. culture. Our courses are based on engaging students through active learning, integrating classroom readings, lectures, and discussions with community-based collaborative projects that offer practical, real-life experience.