Program Contact: Michelle D. Miller 203-582-3231
A humanities-based approach to law exposes students to different methodologies and distinct approaches to understanding the law in our society. Our comprehensive curriculum introduces students to the foundational aspects of the field of law before challenging them to explore how the law shapes — and is shaped by — particular perspectives, historical contexts and actual practice.
As students navigate both required and elective courses, they master different methods of approaching and solving complex legal problems. Throughout the program, students will investigate the complexities of our legal systems; discover how civil and constitutional systems work; and learn to research, reason and write about the law. These skills will be sharpened beyond the classroom as students complete a professional internship and gain hands-on experience in a law setting.
The Law in Society major culminates in a senior capstone course, which provides the opportunity for students to complete independent research on a legal topic of their choosing and develop a thesis that draws from their coursework and their internship experience. Through this integration of humanities, practical skills and experiential learning, the major has been approved by the American Bar Association as a paralegal program.
Graduates from the program are extraordinarily well prepared for a variety of careers in law and other related fields. Our graduates have excelled in roles spanning policy, compliance, government and politics, social services, criminal justice and conflict resolution. Many students continue their studies in law school, but career prospects don’t end at the courtroom or law office. The skills of legal reasoning and critical thinking translate into fields as diverse as policy, mediation, local law enforcement, social services, education and human relations.
Students majoring in Law in Society must complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Curriculum 1 | 46 | |
| Modern Language Requirement | 3-6 | |
| Law in Society Core Requirements 2 | ||
| LE 101 | Introduction to the American Legal System | 3 |
| LE 211 | Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing I | 3 |
| LE 212 | Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing II | 3 |
| LE 305 | Civil Procedures | 3 |
| LE 340 | American Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LE 485 | Legal Internship Seminar | 3 |
| LE 490 | Senior Seminar in Law in Society | 3 |
| Law in Society Elective Courses | ||
| At least 9 credits must be at the 300 level: | ||
| Legal Practice Electives | ||
| Select two courses of the following: | 6 | |
| Family Law | ||
| Wills, Probate and Estate Administration | ||
| Land Transfer and Closing Procedures | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Law of Business Entities | ||
| Intellectual Property | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Mediation | ||
| Negotiation | ||
| Alternative Perspectives in the Law Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Gender and the Law | ||
| International Law | ||
| Human Rights Law and Global Justice | ||
| International Law and the Individual | ||
| European Union Law | ||
| Immigration Law | ||
| Comparative Constitutional Law | ||
| International Environmental Law | ||
| Additional Legal Studies Electives | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Introduction to Mock Trial | ||
| Competitive Mock Trial (may be taken up to three times, or twice if LE 150 was taken) | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Sports Law | ||
| Law for Everyday Life | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Health Care Law | ||
| Three additional courses chosen from any LE elective, including those in Legal Practice and Alternative Perspectives | 9 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| JS 101 | Introduction to Justice Studies | 3 |
| Select a 200-level English course | 3 | |
| Select an American History course | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 5-8 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
All students must complete the University Curriculum requirements.
- 2
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all Law in Society core requirements at the 200 level.
Students also must complete a minor in any other department within the university. All Legal Specialty transfer courses will be evaluated by the program director to determine their equivalencies and to ensure that the quality and integrity of the program are maintained if such credit is granted. At least nine credits of Legal Specialty courses, including the Internship experience, must be taken at Quinnipiac University. A maximum of nine credits of Legal Specialty courses may be transferred. Quinnipiac does not award Legal Specialty credit by examination or portfolio.
Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the following competencies:
- Understand and critically assess how law is made, interpreted and applied in different contexts within the United States and abroad.
- Research, analyze and write a scholarly paper on a chosen topic related to law, incorporating humanities-based inquiry.
- Formulate and present a coherent, well-supported legal argument in both written and oral form to diverse audiences.
- Apply their legal skills and knowledge of the humanities in a professional law-related setting, consistent with ethical standards governing the legal profession.
- Understand the political, historical and social conditions underlying and affecting the law.
Admission Requirements: College of Arts and Sciences
The requirements for admission into the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences programs are the same as those for admission to Quinnipiac University.
Admission to the university is competitive, and applicants are expected to present a strong college prep program in high school. Prospective first-year students are strongly encouraged to file an application as early in the senior year as possible, and arrange to have first quarter grades sent from their high school counselor as soon as they are available.
For detailed admission requirements, including required documents, please visit the Admissions page of this catalog.
Shown below is one of many possible paths through the curriculum. Each student's individual academic plan is crafted in consultation with their academic adviser.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 30 credits, meet with your adviser at least once a semester and have a GPA of 2.00 or higher. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| LE 101 | Introduction to the American Legal System | 3 |
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| EN 101 | Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| LE 115 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| EN 102 | Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| HS 131 | U.S. History to 1877 | 3 |
| Math course. Satisfies UC Foundational Inquiry | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 4 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 60 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester to discuss academic, experiential learning, career and co-curricular opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| LE 211 | Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing I | 3 |
| Language at the 101 level | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| LE 212 | Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing II | 3 |
| Language at the 102 level (Satisfies CAS Language Requirement) | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective for minor | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 90 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Meet with your adviser at least once per semester. Participate in study abroad, complete internship or research opportunities. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| LE 305 | Civil Procedures | 3 |
| English at the 200 level | 3 | |
| LE Elective | 3 | |
| LE Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective for minor | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CAR 410 | LSAT Prep Course | 1 |
| LE 340 | American Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LE Elective at 300-level | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective for minor | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Milestones: Earn 120 credits and a GPA of 2.00 or higher. Complete possible minor or double major and prepare for graduation. | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| LE 485 | Legal Internship Seminar | 3 |
| LE Elective at the 300 level | 3 | |
| LE Elective | 3 | |
| University Curriculum course | 3 | |
| Open Elective for minor | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| LE 490 | Senior Seminar in Law in Society | 3 |
| LE Elective at the 300 level | 3 | |
| Open Elective for minor | 3 | |
| Open Elective for minor | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |