
Law & Public Affairs at Lasell
The Law & Public Affairs major at Lasell is an interdisciplinary program that gives students the background to appraise and understand the American political and legal systems while examining how law permeates social, political, economic, and other institutions. Students discover how decisions are made by these institutions and how policy is created, and they develop skills in advocacy, research, problem-solving, writing, and critical thinking.
Students are prepared for careers in areas such policy and regulation, advocacy, non-profit agency work, government agency work, legal offices for municipalities, or government organizations. Students may also continue with graduate study in such fields as public administration, policy studies, management, political science, and law.
Lasell also offers majors in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice.
Program Features
- Students are taught a global perspective on law and justice, comparing American legal issues and policies to those of other cultures.
- In the Foundations of American Legal System (LS101) course, students participate in mock trials and compete against major college and universities in the Boston area.
- Our Pre-Law advising program offers students guidance to students considering applying to law school. Students get insight about courses and extracurricular activities that will best prepare them for law school. The program also offers test preparation for the LSAT examination.
What You'll Learn
From your first day, you’ll take courses in your major and advance towards graduation with a yearly plan. Not sure what classes to take? We’ll help you create the perfect plan.
View our
4 Year Plan for a year-by-year breakdown of potential courses you can take to complete your Law & Public Affairs major in four years.
Sample Law & Public Affairs Courses
Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
Core Courses |
CJ323 |
Justice, Class, Race & Gender |
3 |
COM308 |
Conflict Resolution & Negotiations |
3 |
COM310 |
Political Communication |
3 |
LS101 |
Foundations of American Legal System(KP) |
3 |
LS202 |
Legal Research & Analysis |
3 |
LS203 |
Justice, Law & the Constitution |
3 |
LS301 |
Legal Writing & Reasoning |
3 |
LS441 |
Selected Topics in Justice & Law I |
3 |
LS442 |
Selected Topics in Justice & Law II |
3 |
LS443 |
Justice Studies Internship & Seminar I |
3 |
LS444 |
Justice Studies Internship & Seminar II |
3 |
POLS101 |
American Government |
3 |
POLS201 |
State & Local Government |
3 |
POLS210 |
Political Theory |
3 |
POLS320 |
Policy Making & the Political Process |
3 |
SOC101 |
Sociological Imagination (KP) |
3 |
SOC221 |
Contemporary Social Problems |
3 |
|
The Connected Learning philosophy at Lasell combines traditional approaches with active learning experiences to prepare students to succeed in a diverse, complex world. Within the Law & Public Affairs Major, students complete Connected Learning projects, such as:
- Working with faculty and Title IX officers to elevate education efforts related to gendered-based violence on campus.
- Lasell students took part in the dedication ceremony at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, and met President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Republican Senator from Arizona John McCain, Democratic Senators from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey as well as Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.
- Students participated in roundtable discussions with DEA Agents, FBI Agents, and US Marshals to gain knowledge of the industry as well as meeting with guest speakers such as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Students also got to meet with Congressman Kennedy.

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Lori Rosenthal, Ph.D. Dean, School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Education; Professor of Psychology Areas of Expertise: psychological perspectives; personality psychology; social psychology
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Linda Bucci, M.S., J.D. Professor and Program Chair of Justice Studies, Graduate Program Chair of Criminal Justice Area of Expertise: criminology; study of violence against disenfranchised groups; criminal procedure; criminal law
|
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Allison Butterfield Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Area of Expertise: community corrections, restorative justice, juvenile justice and delinquency, and substance use among offenders
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Paul DeBole, J.D. Assistant Professor of Political Science Area of Expertise: American government and politics; American political institutions; policymaking and the political process. ]
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Michael Palmieri Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Area of Expertise: Cybercrime, cybercrime offender decision making, terrorism, terrorist activity online
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Karin Raye, J.D. Assistant Professor of Legal Studies Area of Expertise: domestic violence and sexual assault education and advocacy; criminal justice; juvenile justice; victimology
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Kellie Wallace, Ph.D., C.A.G.S. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Area of Expertise: criminology; criminal justice; mental health; veterinary forensic science
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Edward Weeks, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Area of Expertise: criminology; corrections; research methods in the social sciences
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Learning Outcomes
- Understand the law and its application and how it can be applied morally and ethically.
- Understand how the law relates to one’s own civic and social responsibility.
- Have exposure to various career options within the field of law and become familiar with working within it in a professional role.
- Use critical and quantitative reasoning skills to be able to interpret the law and how it is used.
- Develop strong writing, speaking, and technology skills to be able to be effective in a professional role.
For a complete list of courses and Learrning outcomes, view the Academic Catalog >>
Career Success with a Law & Public Affairs Degree
Lasell’s degree in Law & Public Affairs prepares students for careers as a lobbyist, a city and regional planner, a public or program administrator, a volunteer coordinator, or a community outreach coordinator, as well as to work in a law firm - public interest or otherwise -- and/or to do corporate work.
Our students have interned with:
- Massachusett's Governor's office
- Senator Elizabeth Warren's office
- Attorney General's office
- Municipal courts
- State legislative offices
- O'Neill & Associates, a political lobbying firm
Our alumni work for:
- Massachusetts Governor's office
- State Representative offices
- Legal offices for municipalities
- Local District Attorney offices
- Private law firms
- Attend graduate and law school
Request more information about the Law & Public Affairs major:
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