Law and Society, Bachelor's , Minor
Overview
Law & Society is an interdisciplinary program that combines a broad-based overview of law rooted in the social sciences.
If you have an inquisitive mind and are interested in developing skills needed to join legal professions or attend law school this major is for you. Law & Society offers an excellent liberal arts education for students interested in the role of law in American society.
The program uses a multidisciplinary approach that promotes writing skills, legal research skills, oral argumentation skills, and the capacity for critical thinking. In addition, the major includes courses that study the judicial system and various areas of the law: criminal, constitutional, business, family, environmental, health, etc.
All Law and Society majors are encouraged to participate in a pre-law society, mock trial team competition, and to complete a law-related internship.
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
- Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
In the Law & Society program, your coursework will provide an overview of all types of law and public policy along with the study of business and professional communication.
Coursework includes media law, family law, trial by jury, and criminal procedure.
Academic Catalog
Graduation Requirements
View the graduation requirements and example schedule for this programCareers & Internships
Students graduating from DeSales University have gone onto receive law degrees from Dickinson, Georgetown, Harvard, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Villanova among many other institutions.
All Law and Society majors are encouraged to participate in a pre-law society, mock trial team competition, and to complete a law-related internship.
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
Crime Scene House
In a sleepy stone house on a quiet, rural street just South of campus, DeSales social science students are about to walk into a murder scene. Or a terrorist threat. Or a national disaster ...
Study Abroad
DeSales has an international experience for every student, every major, for every student athlete — we have something for everyone, no matter what.
We have many international agreements that allow you to study abroad for a semester at the same cost as your DeSales tuition, and you can use your financial aid!
Career Preparation from Day One
We're passionate about helping our students and alumni explore major and career options, find experiential education, and achieve post-graduation success in an evolving global world.
St. Thomas More Society
Thinking about attending law school as your next step after DeSales?
Join the St. Thomas More Pre-Law Society for guidance. The group is designed to assist students interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession.
Model UN (United Nations)
Model UN is an academic club that promotes a greater understanding of the United Nations and the global issues facing all peoples of the world. The club hosts the annual high school DeSales Model United Nations Competition every spring that attracts over 200 students from the tri-state area.
