
The Law & Public Affairs major at Lasell has a professional focus, rooted in Connected Learning, that seeks to educate students by promoting self-expression, academic exploration and critical thinking in academic, civic, and career-relevant areas.
- Lasell's Law and Public Affairs degree program is an interdisciplinary major 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 are prepared to continue with graduate study in such fields as public administration, policy studies, management, political science, and law.
- Lasell's Justice Studies program has majors in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, and Law and Public Affairs.
- Lasell's School of Humanities, Education, Justice & Social Sciences has degree programs in Criminal Justice, Education, English, Global Studies, History, Law & Public Affairs, Legal Studies, Psychology, and Sociology.
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.
- 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. A student has won the Regional Attorney Award with a perfect score.
- Students complete a full year internship their senior year, giving them invaluable experience and contacts.
- 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 participate 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

As part of our robust program, students have gained internships with:
With the Law & Public Affairs major at Lasell, students have pursued careers as:
- working for government organizations
- non-profit sectors
- legal offices for municipalities
- policy and regulations departments
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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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Sarah Abbott, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Faculty Connected Learning Organizer Area of Expertise: Law, Policy, and Society; Criminal Justice; Forensic Psychology
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Linda Bucci, J.D. Professor of Legal Studies, Program Director of Justice Studies Area of Expertise: criminology; study of violence against disenfranchised groups; criminal procedure; criminal law
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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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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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Below is a sample list of 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 |
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