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Lasell University
Lasell University

School of Humanities, Education, Justice & Social Sciences

B.A. in Law & Public Affairs

Law student

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. 

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 >>


    Accelerated Master's Program

    Save time and money — earn your graduate degree in just 1 year with the Accelerated Master's program. Learn more and how to apply >>

    Undergraduate alumni return to Lasell for second (or third!) degrees 
    Read their stories >>

    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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    CJ323 - Justice, Class, Race & Gender

    This course explores issues unique to individuals of different classes, gender, and/or races or ethnic groups. The course focuses on these issues specifically in the context of the American criminal justice and legal systems. Issues of diversity relevant to all aspects of the criminal justice system are examined. Prerequisites: CJ 101, LS 101, PSYC 101 or SOC 101, Sophomore standing.

    COM308 - Conflict Resolution & Negotiations

    This course helps students to understand the theoretical assumptions, elements, and processes of interpersonal conflict and negotiation, to increase their ability to objectively analyze conflict situations, and to creatively and productively manage conflict. Alternative Dispute Resolution approaches to litigation for resolving conflicts such as mediation, arbitration, and negotiation are examined. Prerequisites: COM 101, LS 101 or BUSS 101; Junior or Senior standing.

    COM310 - Political Communication

    This course focuses on the complex ideas associated with the role of the press in a democracy. The nature and climate of our political processes, particularly elections, have changed dramatically in the past two generations, due in part to the extensive use and influence of the media. Also, media techniques and strategies used by government and political figures continue to change with the emergence of new technologies and the dominance of global media companies. Students learn how to think critically and analytically about the political press and how journalists and politicians frame public policy issues. This course looks critically at whether or not the American press is truly representative of the civic values of democracy, truth, and responsible citizenship. Prerequisites: COM 101 or POLS 101 or SOC 101.

    LS101 - Foundations of American Legal System(KP)

    This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the law. Students are introduced to the basics of the legal system in the United States including its organization and operation. The course covers major areas of legal practice and the legal principles that apply. Legal concepts are explained and legal terminology defined.

    LS202 - Legal Research & Analysis

    This course serves as an introduction to American constitutional interpretation. Topics to be covered include legal precedent, legal issues surrounding the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, the role of the Supreme Court as a political institution, and the Court’s interpretations of issues dealing with the Bill of Rights. Prerequisite: LS 101.

    LS203 - Justice, Law & the Constitution

    This course serves as an introduction to American constitutional interpretation. Topics to be covered include legal precedent, legal issues surrounding the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, the role of the Supreme Court as a political institution, and the Court’s interpretations of issues dealing with the Bill of Rights.

    LS301 - Legal Writing & Reasoning

    This course focuses on the development of fundamental skills necessary for successful legal writing that could assist in employment in a law office, such as drafting correspondence, developing various documents, and preparing legal memoranda. It looks at legal research, writing, and reasoning as a continuum, since the results of nearly all legal research must be submitted in written form. Legal writing is examined as a three step process. The steps consist of identifying the document’s purpose, audience, and constraints; developing a structure and draft; and editing and rewriting. This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: LS 101 & LS202.

    LS441 - Selected Topics in Justice & Law I

    This fall portion of the Capstone course is designed to identify and discuss various legal and political issues in society today, including but not limited to issues of gender, race, and other relevant historical and contemporary political topics and movements. This first semester develops the student’s ability to research, write and debate current issues. This is a writing intensive and speaking across the curriculum course. Limited to Legal Studies and Law and Public Affairs majors. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

    LS442 - Selected Topics in Justice & Law II

    The spring semester of the Capstone course focuses on the process of producing a final legal research paper on one of the topics of the first semester. Students hone their research and writing skills culminating in the presentation of a final capstone project presentation. This is a writing intensive and speaking across the curriculum intensive course. Prerequisites: LS 441 and Senior standing.

    LS443 - Justice Studies Internship & Seminar I

    This course provides an opportunity for students to be in an individually arranged, college-supervised internship for 120 hours in the fall semester in a professional work setting related to their interest. Each student is monitored during the internship by the faculty advisor and attends a corresponding classroom seminar each week. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

    LS444 - Justice Studies Internship & Seminar II

    This course provides an opportunity for students to be in an individually arranged, college-supervised internship for 120 hours in the fall semester in a professional work setting related to their interest. Each student is monitored during the internship by the faculty advisor and attends a corresponding classroom seminar each week. Prerequisite: Prerequisites: LS/CJ 443 and Senior standing

    POLS101 - American Government

    This is an examination of the basic principles that form the foundation for the structure and practice of American government. The impact of the political system on the citizen is explored along with the central assumptions and concepts that serve as the basis for the field of political science.

    POLS201 - State & Local Government

    This course begins with the constitutional and legal basis for state and local government. The functions of the executive and legislative branches are examined. Governmental bureaucracy and budgetary processes are studied as well as political parties, interest groups, public opinion, and political reporting in the press.

    POLS210 - Political Theory

    In this course, central questions in political theory are addressed. What is justice? What is freedom? What is the state? What makes a government legitimate? Is there any general obligation to obey the state? The course also focuses on theories of modernity and communities, the evolution of liberalism and individualism, and the relationship between politics and economics. Readings range from the Greeks to modern thinkers. Prerequisite: ENG 102.

    POLS320 - Policy Making & the Political Process

    This course examines the dynamics of public policy-making in the United States at the national, state, and local levels. The course explores the factors influencing policy formation in a variety of areas: health, education, welfare, and urban planning. An analysis of how policy outcomes are evaluated is also covered.

    SOC101 - Sociological Imagination (KP)

    In this course we explore our awareness of the relationship between our experience and broader society. How are our lives shaped by our social positions in society – our social class, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and more? How do the members of different groups view each other and interact with each other? Why do inequalities exist and how do these affect us? How does culture shape our behavior, and why do religions, schools, families, and other institutions remain stable but also change over time?

    SOC221 - Contemporary Social Problems

    ?This course examines conditions and issues that result in tension and disorder. Examples are drawn primarily from American society include immigrants’ struggles, race and class inequities in the education system, oppression of people of color, poverty, violence, ageism, and ecological concerns. Prerequisite: SOC101.