Girl working on a computer

College of Arts, Education, & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society

Our Law and Society major explores the interplay between the various areas of the law, American society, and judicial system. If you are interested in developing the skills needed to join legal professions or attend law school, then this major is for you.

Program Details

Official Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Format
In Class-Day
In Class-Day
Credit Hours
120
Program Start
Fall Semester
Application Deadline
Apply Anytime
Average Time to Degree
4 Years

Why Get Your Degree at DeSales University?

At DeSales, we will guide you through your academic and professional careers. As a law and society student, you will be led by experienced advisors. Our program uses a multidisciplinary approach that promotes key skills such as writing, legal research, oral argumentation, and critical thinking within various areas of the law. These include criminal, constitutional, business, family, and environmental law. You can also earn credit through internships to apply and strengthen what you learned in your classes. Whether you aim for law school, a government career, or becoming an informed jurist, our law and society major will help you achieve your goals.

students

Program Highlights

Professional Development Opportunities

  • Practicing what you learn outside of the classroom is crucial. With close guidance from your advisor, you can complete a law-related internship and earn credit towards your graduation requirements.

Active Campus Culture

  • There is never a shortage of things to do on campus. All law and society students are encouraged to participate in the St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society, the university’s pre-law club that hosts law-related events. Additionally, students may compete for the mock trial team, which can be taken as a 3-credit semester course.

Proven Outcomes

  • A degree holds as much value as the accomplishments one can derive from it. DeSales graduates have gone on to receive law degrees from many esteemed law schools, such as Dickinson, Georgetown, Harvard, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Villanova.

What Will You Study?

The law and society major requires you to complete 48 credit hours of curriculum courses, in addition to the university’s standard academic requirements.

To earn your Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society, you’ll take core classes like:

  • Criminal Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • The Legal Environment of Business
  • Environmental Policy and Law
  • White Collar Crime
  • Family Values and the Law
  • Law in America

Program Tracks & Pathways

Swipe below to discover more!

alt text

BS to JD

Learn More

Juris Doctor’s

3+3 Partnership Program with Duquesne University School of Law

Take advantage of DeSales’ 3+3 Partnership Program with Duquesne University School of Law, which lets you get your Juris Doctor (JD) after only six years of higher education. You will spend the first three years at DeSales completing your general education requirements and required courses for the Law and Society major. Then, your final three years will be at Duquesne. You will complete the remaining credits for your bachelor’s degree while taking law school classes.

Courses You Will Take Include:

  • Criminal Law
  • Constitutional Law
alt text
alt text

Law and Society Minor

Learn More

Minor

Law and Society

Enhance your major with a Law and Society minor! The minor will introduce you to the American legal system and build skills in legal research, critical thinking, and analytical writing. It prepares you for a range of careers in government, public policy, business, and beyond. If you are interested in pursuing law school after graduation, declaring a Law and Society minor helps you to explore your legal interests and develop crucial skills for success.

Required Courses

  • Trial by Jury
  • Logic
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Choose between any Law and Society elective or The Legal Environment of Business
alt text

Outcomes & Careers

Recognizing that St. Francis DeSales was a lawyer, the Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society offers an excellent liberal arts education for those interested in the role of law in American society. Additionally, it fosters the writing, speaking, research, and analytical reasoning skills necessary for successfully pursuing a career in law. Upon completion of a Law and Society major, you will:

  • Appreciate the American legal system, its history, and its impact on American society
  • Understand our legal system, including terminology, concepts, policy considerations, and the structure of court systems
  • Posses excellent communication skills, particularly in the areas of oral advocacy and public speaking
  • Show proficiency in conducting legal research and analytical reasoning
  • Become familiar with legal research tools including Westlaw

DeSales alumni have gone on to receive law degrees from Dickinson, Georgetown, Harvard, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Villanova among many other institutions and to practice law across the country.

girl looking at a file

Application Checklist

  • Official High School Transcript
  • Completed Guidance Counselor Form
  • Completed Teacher Recommendation Form
  • Optional Standardized Test Scores
  • No Application Fees
Visit Admissions Tuition & Fees
alt text

Program FAQs

Contact Us

Office of Admissions

Contact

Resource Links