Global Legal Studies, B.A.

About the Program

The Global Legal Studies major focuses on developing skills useful in the study and practice of law, understanding substantive areas of law and legal reasoning, and exploring the place of law in both the United States and other societies.

Global Legal Studies is designed to provide undergraduate students with individual courses and study abroad experiences that will enable them to better understand both U.S. and world legal issues. It is designed for students who are interested in careers in law and/or international relations.

Students who major in Global Legal Studies can minor in any academic discipline. Arcadia does not require that students have a minor to graduate, but only two courses considered to be part of a student’s Global Legal Studies major may be counted again for that student’s minor.

The Global Legal Studies program offers several ways to pursue professional opportunities and/or graduate school after completing or making significant progress toward Global Legal Studies major, including:

• Preparation for law school or other graduate programs
• An accelerated 3+3 program with Drexel University’s School of Law
• 4+2 with Arcadia’s International Peace and Conflict Resolution master’s program
• Preparation for careers in law, foreign service, government or other public service, education, management
• Preparation for secondary teaching 
• Opportunities to travel with Model UN team
• Internships available in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and in the British, Scottish, and Irish parliaments
• Senior Capstone seminar and thesis research project that integrate classroom learning with real-world experiences
• Opportunities to study at American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy in Paris, France
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Study Abroad Requirement

This Majors Abroad Program (MAP) requires at least two semesters of study abroad, usually in the junior year, at one location where law is offered as an undergraduate major. Arcadia students must take at least two law courses and two law-related electives, as approved by the student’s adviser. A distinctive and challenging international experience is attractive to law school admissions committees.

Suggested Study Abroad Locations

• Queen Mary College, University of London, England
• University of Aberdeen, Scotland
• University of Glasgow, Scotland
• University of Limerick, Ireland
• Queens University in Belfast, Ireland
• University of Wollongong, Australia
• Bond University, Australia
• Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. 

Requirements

Students must take 12 courses, typically 46-48 credits, drawn from the courses listed below; with Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 128 credits.