Georgia law requires that all candidates for a degree from an institution supported by public funds shall pass an examination upon the provision and principles of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Georgia. At North Georgia College & State University this requirement can be met by taking any one of the following courses: POLS 1101 or HIST 2111 or 2112. Students transferring any one of these courses to NGCSU from non-USG institutions have not met the state-mandated requirements. Students transferring any one of these courses from USG institutions may have met the state-mandated requirements.

The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice provides two exams to meet the state mandate. Each exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 70% is required (28 correct answers).  Tests dates will be published on this web page at the beginning of each semester. Students wishing to take an exam must make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance with the department head.

What exams do I have to take?

If you took POLS 1101 or HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 at any institution in the State of Georgia, you have met the mandated requirements and do not have to take any exams. If you transferred one or more of these courses into NGCSU from an out of State institution, you will have to take at least two exams to meet the mandated requirements.

If you transferred in or received CLEP credit for POLS 1101 & HIST 2112 or 2111:
You need to take the GA Constitution and the GA History exam

If you transferred in or received CLEP credit for POLS 1101
You need to take the GA Constitution, GA History and US History exams

If you transferred in or received CLEP credit for HIST 2111 or 2112
You need to take the US Constitution, GA Constitution and GA History exams

The History Department administers the US History and GA History exams. Please contact them directly for information regarding these exams.

Specific information regarding the US and GA Constitutional exams is as follows:

United States Constitution exam

Who should take this exam? Students who have not successfully completed an American History course with American Government content and who do not plan to take an American Government course.

Text:The United States Constitution:  What it says, what it means.   Founding Fathers.  New York: Oxford University Press.
Available in the NGCSU bookstore now.

Constitution of Georgia exam

Who should take this exam? Students who have not successfully completed an American Government course with Georgia Government content.

Text: Allen, Lee M., and Saeger, Richard T. Georgia State Politics: The Constitutional Foundation. 3d ed. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.  Available in the NGCSU bookstore now.

Study Aid: Click here to get a list of the questions that will be used to make up your exam.

Taking the Exam 

Both examinations will be administered by the Testing Office at NGCSU. Please contact the Testing Office at 706-864-1799 to make an appointment to take either of the exams.

Please be aware of the following rules pertaining to the examinations.

1.  Exams are administered to NGCSU students only.

2. Students are allowed only one attempt per exam per semester.

3. Exams will be administered throughout the semester up until 2 weeks prior to Academic Review Day.  

4.  Students must present a valid government issued identification when taking the exam.  

If you have any questions pertaining to the examinations themselves, please contact the Head of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, Leo Downing, at ldowning@ngcsu.edu or 706-864-1910.