Global Legal Studies, B.A.

Faculty

Historical and Political Studies  Faculty

Global Legal Studies Program Director: Dr. Amy Widestrom

Adjunct Professor: The Honorable Chris Cerski, J.D. (Pre-Law Adviser)

About the Program

• Preparation for law school or other graduate programs
• 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 British, Scottish, and Australian 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

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, except Political Science or Pre-Law. Arcadia does not require that students have a minor to graduate, and no course considered to be part of a student’s Global Legal Studies major may be counted again for that student’s minor.

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, and Arcadia students can take at least two law school classes and other appropriate electives, as approved by the student’s adviser. A distinctive and challenging international experience is attractive to law school admissions committees.

Students who are unable to study abroad for two semesters should realize that fact during their junior year and be able to graduate the following year with a Political Science major.

Suggested Study Abroad Locations

• London School of Economics and Political Science, England
• Queen Mary College, University of London, England
• University of Essex, England 
• University of Aberdeen, Scotland
• University of Glasgow, Scotland
• University of Limerick, Ireland
• Queens University in Belfast, Ireland
• Australia National University, Australia
• University of Wollongong, Australia
• Bonn University, Australia
• Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Global Legal Studies

(12 courses, typically 46-48 credits, as listed below, with Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 128 credits)

This major requires successful completion of 12 courses, typically totaling 45-48 credits, of which eight will be taken on the Glenside, Pa., campus. The remaining four required courses include two law and two cognate courses taken abroad at an Arcadia University College of Global Studies program site. Other disciplines with required or elective courses in the Global Legal Studies major include: History, Philosophy, Economics, Business, Criminal Justice, International Studies, and Communications.

It is expected that students will complete required courses at the 100 level and at least one elective at the 100 or 200 level their first year, the required courses at the 200 level their second year, study abroad their third year, and the Senior Thesis and Capstone as well as any remaining required electives their final year. Students must be on campus their senior year to complete the Senior Thesis sequence.

Although not required for the major, Global Legal Studies seniors are encouraged to take the pre-law internship PS 324A and B (2 + 2 credits), either simultaneously or in sequence. Combining the study of law in another culture with working directly with legal professionals within the United States provides Arcadia students with solid preparation for law school.

Related Graduate Study at Arcadia University

• Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy (American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy in Paris, France)
• Master of Education with a Concentration in Secondary Education with Certification in Social Studies