Overview

Civic Literacy Requirement

The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy. 

This requirement is based on the student’s catalog year; therefore, the Civic Literacy requirement does not apply to students who initially entered the Florida State University System (SUS) or Florida College System (FCS) before fall 2018.

The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and exam. As a result, there are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject
to varying requirements. As demonstrated in Table 1, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.

Additional information can be found at uwf.edu/civicliteracy and on the Civic Literacy Implementation and Guidance Document. 

Table 1. Civic Literacy Requirements by Cohort of Students

Additionally, the 2021 Legislature made two additional exceptions: approving the use of accelerated mechanisms for meeting the course competency requirement and exempting high school students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam in high school from the postsecondary exam requirement. These two changes are in effect for Cohort 3.

There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. You should work with your academic advisor to determine which option is best for your degree requirements/degree plan. Remember that students entering for the first time in Summer 2021 or after must complete both a course AND exam. 

(a) Successfully passing either POSX041 American Government or AMHX020 Introductory Survey Since 1877. Each of the courses must include the following competencies:

1. Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government;
2. An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application;
3. Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government; and
4. An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.

(b) Achieving the standard score on one of the following assessments:

Table 2: Methods for Meeting Exam Competency

(c) Successfully passing an accelerated mechanism

Table 3: Accelerated Mechanisms for Meeting Course/Exam competencies.

Note that Cambridge AICE History, US History, c.1789-1917 (AS-Level) and IB History: History of America do NOT meet the exam requirement.

Instructions for the Civic Literacy Exam

This exam includes 100 multiple choice questions. To satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement you must have 60 correct answers. You will have 120 minutes to complete this exam using the Respondus LockDown Browser.  A microphone and web camera are not required, just the browser. No other resource materials or devices may be used when attempting this exam. Before attempting the exam, it's strongly recommended that you prepare by reviewing the material available in the library resource guide at uwf.edu/civicliteracy.

 Note - the online exam will not be available to students prior to their admission semester. If you have been admitted for Fall 2019, you will need to wait until the Fall 2019 exam is available. We open the online exam within a day or two of the prior semester end. So for Fall 2019, the exam would be available no later than August 20, 2019. 

University of West Florida Regulations
UWF/REG 3.030 Student Code of Academic Conduct.
Article IV. Violations of the Student Code of Academic Conduct
Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional assistance, attempt to assist, planning to assist, or facilitate another student to engage in an act of academic misconduct. 

• Cheating: Using or attempting to use material or information where such use is not expressly permitted by the instructor. 
• Academic Theft: Obtaining examinations, quizzes, or other academic materials without authorization.
• Facilitation: Knowingly contributing to, assisting, or planning with others to engage in Academic Misconduct, or failing to inform the proper authorities when a violation has occurred regardless of one’s participation.

The University of West Florida is dedicated to the highest principles and standards of academic integrity. Any perceived violations of the Student Code of Academic Conduct will be reported. 

Step 1

Navigate to MyUWF and search for Classmate

Step 2

In the top blue banner there is a link to access eLearning - click on that link

Step 3

Enroll in the Civic Literacy Exam by clicking the Enroll button - the exam is semester specific - if you wish to attempt the exam in multiple semesters you will have to sign up each time.

Step 4

Return to myUWF and navigate to eLearning

Step 5

You will see all of your courses that have eLearning modules here, as well as the Civic Literacy Exam. Enter the module by clicking on the box. 

Step 6

Here you will be able to review the overview, instructions, access the library resource guide, and access the exam. The exam requires Respondus Lockdown Browser to launch. You may access the exam on any computer that has Respondus Lockdown Browser installed. You are able to download this onto a personal computer or you may use any computer station in the UWF Library or you can check out  a laptop from the UWF Library. 

Step 7

Once the exam is completed your score will be saved. A score of 60 or better is required to satisfy this requirement. Your score will be uploaded to your academic record in the overnight data refresh. Your degree audit will reflect the requirement as satisfied after the passing score of 60 or better has been received. If necessary, you may retake the exam until you earn a score of 60 or better. You are urged to review the resources prior to taking the exam so that you are prepared to be successful in your first attempt.