BA in Law and Society

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Kansas

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society at the University of Kansas offers an interdisciplinary understanding of how laws influence government, public policy, courts, policing, and everyday social relationships. Ideal for students interested in legal studies, social justice, public service, policy development, or further legal education, the program combines legal theory, research methods, public administration, and social equity, helping students understand how legal institutions operate and how law can shape society.

Curriculum Structure

The BA requires 120–123 credit hours, including general education, language study, major courses, electives, and a capstone project. The university publishes a sample four-year plan rather than a fixed sequence for every student, so course selection and scheduling may vary.

First Year

Students establish a broad academic foundation through English, communication, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and foreign-language study. This stage develops the writing, communication, and critical-thinking skills students will use when examining legal institutions and social issues in later coursework.

Second Year

Students begin the core major requirements, including LWS 330: Introduction to Law & Society, which explores how law influences social processes, and LWS 332: Methods in Law and Society, which introduces research methods and the evaluation of socio-legal studies. They also take LWS 333: The Pursuit of Rights: Law, Democracy & Power, examining how legal rights and institutions can reinforce or challenge social and political hierarchies.

Third Year

Students deepen their understanding of legal theory, public policy, and justice administration through LWS 443: Theoretical Foundations of Law & Society and public administration coursework such as PUAD 401: Administration of Justice. They can also explore elective subjects such as BLAW 301: Legal Aspects of Business, EVRN 332: Environmental Law, or PSYC 566: Psychology and the Law, depending on course availability and prerequisites.

Fourth Year

Students complete advanced electives and apply their learning through LWS 699: Capstone in Law and Society, a research-based course that requires students to analyze and connect concepts involving legal institutions, policy, equity, and procedural justice. Students can also pursue an approved internship through SPAA 691: Internship Experience, gaining exposure to professional settings while completing their remaining degree requirements.

Focus Areas

Law and society, legal institutions, legal history, research methods, rights and democracy, public policy, administration of justice, diversity and social equity, business law, environmental law, psychology and law, and procedural justice.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop an understanding of legal institutions, the relationship between law and policymaking, and how legal principles operate in government and nongovernmental settings. They learn to evaluate legal and social research, apply principles of equity and procedural justice, analyze institutional practices, and communicate evidence-based conclusions about complex legal and public-policy issues.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The university's official program catalog does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the BA in Law and Society. The degree provides an interdisciplinary foundation for roles in public administration, legal support, nonprofit organizations, policy research, community services, and justice-related agencies. Students who wish to become licensed attorneys will need to pursue an appropriate law degree and meet the relevant jurisdiction's licensing requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Kansas does not publish a dedicated employment rate or average starting salary for BA in Law and Society graduates in the official program catalog. The degree offers transferable skills in legal analysis, research, public policy, and social equity, which can support graduates pursuing employment or further education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Kansas helps Law and Society students connect classroom learning with practical experience through credit-bearing internships, research opportunities, and a capstone project. Students can explore how legal institutions and public policies operate in real-world settings, with previous internship placements including government offices, nonprofit organizations, and law firms. These opportunities help students build professional awareness, research skills, and an understanding of how legal and social issues affect communities.

Students can gain practical experience through the following opportunities:

Credit-bearing internships: SPAA 691: Internship Experience allows students to explore professional environments and connect their academic studies with workplace responsibilities.
Government and legal placements: Previous internship locations have included the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Shawnee, and law firms in the Kansas City area.
Nonprofit experience: Planned Parenthood is among the organizations listed by the university as a previous internship placement, providing an example of opportunities in the nonprofit sector.
Research training: LWS 332: Methods in Law and Society introduces research methods and prepares students to evaluate socio-legal studies and contribute to original research.
Independent research: SPAA 692: Research Experience is listed among the available academic options for students seeking additional research experience.
Capstone project: LWS 699: Capstone in Law and Society requires a research paper that brings together the student's understanding of legal institutions, policymaking, equity, and procedural justice.
Career development resources: The University Career Center offers career advising, internship listings, employer events, and access to Handshake for job searches, internship applications, and on-campus interviews.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BA in Law and Society prepares students to explore careers involving legal institutions, public policy, government, community services, and social justice. By combining legal studies with research, public administration, and social equity, graduates can pursue entry-level professional roles or continue their education to qualify for more specialized careers.

Potential career paths include:

Paralegal or Legal Assistant: Support lawyers with legal research, documentation, case preparation, and administrative tasks.
Policy Research Assistant: Help evaluate public policies, examine social issues, and prepare research findings for government agencies or nonprofit organizations.
Public Administration Assistant: Support government operations, public programs, and administrative activities.
Nonprofit Program Coordinator: Assist with community initiatives, advocacy programs, and projects addressing social or legal issues.

Students can prepare for these opportunities through the following university resources and professional pathways:

Career advising and employment support: The University Career Center provides career advising, job-search preparation, resume resources, internship listings, employer events, and access to Handshake. Students can also use interview-practice resources and attend career fairs to connect with potential employers.
Employer networking: KU career fairs and networking events provide opportunities to connect with organizations across multiple industries. The university reports access to more than 1,500 organizations through its career fairs and networking events.
Internship connections: Previous placements associated with the program include the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Shawnee, Planned Parenthood, and Kansas City-area law firms. These are examples of previous placements, not guarantees of employment or current internship availability.
Employment statistics and salary figures: The university's program catalog does not publish a dedicated employment rate or average starting salary for BA in Law and Society graduates. Therefore, a reliable program-specific employment percentage or salary figure cannot be provided from the official sources reviewed.
Accreditation and professional value: The catalog does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this BA. The degree develops transferable skills in research, legal analysis, public policy, and social equity, but it does not itself qualify graduates to practise law.
Graduation outcomes: Students complete a 120–123-credit-hour degree, including major requirements and a capstone research project. Their academic preparation can support entry-level employment, applications to graduate school, or further professional study.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, graduates may pursue a Juris Doctor (JD) to prepare for a legal career, or consider postgraduate programs in public administration, public policy, political science, sociology, criminology, or related fields. Students should check each institution's admission requirements, as entry to graduate and professional programs depends on the qualifications and prerequisites specified by the relevant university.