Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society is an online degree program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the law as a social institution. This program aims to equip students with strong research skills and a broadened understanding of the law, preparing them for careers in various fields that require knowledge of the law and legal processes.

Program Details

• The program consists of 120 credits, with a tuition fee of $638/$685 per credit.
• The application deadline for the program is March 15 to start on May 18.
• The program is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Program Structure

• The program includes 15 credits of core online coursework, which covers legal brief-writing, the philosophy of law, and legal ethics.
• Students can customize their degree by choosing from a variety of courses that focus on contemporary issues in U.S. law and ethics.
• The program requires students to complete at least 36 Penn State credits to earn the degree.

Prescribed Courses

• HIST 20: American Civilization to 1877 (3 credits)
• HIST 21: American Civilization Since 1877 (3 credits)
• PLSC 1: American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers (3 credits)
• LA 201W: Experiential Learning Portfolio (3 credits)
• PLSC 210N: Rights in America (3 credits)
• PLSC 472: The American Legal Process (3 credits)

Additional Courses

• Students can select 6 credits from a list of approved courses, including:
  • CAS 215: Argumentation (3 credits)
  • CAS 321: Rhetoric and Law (3 credits)
  • CAS 390: Qualitative Research Methods (3 credits)
  • PHIL 10: Critical Thinking (3 credits)
  • PHIL 12: Symbolic Logic (3 credits)
  • PLSC 10: Scientific Study of Politics (3 credits)
  • PLSC 309: Quantitative Political Analysis (3 credits)
  • SOC 207: Research Methods in Sociology (3 credits)

Supporting Courses and Related Areas

• Students can select 15 credits from a list of approved courses, including:
  • CAS 252: Business and Professional Communication (3 credits)
  • CAS 404: Conflict Resolution and Negotiation (3 credits)
  • CAS 426W: Communication Ethics (3 credits)
  • CAS 475: Studies in Public Address (3 credits)
  • CRIMJ 12: Criminology (3 credits)
  • CRIMJ 100: Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
  • CRIM 113: Introduction to Law (3 credits)
  • CRIM 467: Law and Society (3 credits)
  • PHIL 103: Introduction to Ethics (3 credits)
  • PHIL 105: Introduction to Philosophy of Law and Legal Ethics (3 credits)
  • PHIL 119: Ethical Leadership (3 credits)
  • PLSC 210N: Rights in America (3 credits)
  • PLSC 471: American Constitutional Law (3 credits)
  • PLSC 473: American Judicial Behavior (3 credits)

Elective Courses

• Students can select 30-33 credits from a list of approved courses, including:
  • Courses in U.S. cultures (3 credits)
  • Courses in international cultures (3 credits)
  • Writing-across-the-curriculum courses (3 credits)

General Education Requirements

• Foundations: 15 credits
  • Writing/Speaking: 9 credits
  • Quantification: 6 credits
• Knowledge Domains: 15 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Integrative Studies: 6 credits
• Exploration: 9 credits

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

• Foreign Language: 0-12 credits
• B.A. Fields: 9 credits
• Other Cultures: 0-3 credits

Career Opportunities

• The program prepares students for careers in various fields, including law, law enforcement, government, education, and non-profit organizations.
• Potential job titles include:
  • Law Researcher
  • Legal Analyst
  • Legal Assistant
  • Legal Research Analyst

Faculty

• The program is taught by highly regarded faculty from the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, including:
  • Stephanie Cardona
  • John Kryst
  • Avis Kunz
  • Bryan McDonald
  • Tycely Williams
  • Andrea Woerman

Tuition and Financial Aid

• Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
• Tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year:
  • If you have 59 or fewer credits: $638 per credit
  • If you have 60 or more credits: $685 per credit
• Financial aid and military benefits are available to eligible students.