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Legal Systems and Governance ,Certificate

Legal Systems and Governance, Certificate

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Legal Systems and Governance

Governance, Government Regulation, Institutional Analysis, Lawyer, Legal Policy, Legal Studies, Legal System, Local, State, Federal Government, Public Law, prelaw

Showcase your passion for law and public service. Examine legal and philosophical foundations of institutions like the Supreme Court, refine writing and argumentation skills, apply ethical principles to real-world dilemmas, and prepare for law school and impactful careers in legal advocacy.

Program description

The legal systems and governance certificate program offers a structured pathway for you to explore legal systems and institutions while securing life-transforming internships in the fields of law, government relations and public policy. Drawing on expertise and networks within the School of Politics and Global Studies and across ASU, the program equips you with practical skills applicable to careers in public, private, nongovernmental and nonprofit entities. You gain experience analyzing the legal dynamics of political events and public policy.

This 15 credit-hour certificate program focuses on four areas: foundations of legal systems; institutions that structure, revise and enforce the law; principles and ethics that guide the development and revision of laws and regulations; and the applications and impacts of law and legal institutions on civil society. The interdisciplinary program combines high-impact experiential learning, classroom and internship opportunities that draw from local embeddedness in the Phoenix area; Washington, D.C. network; and global reach.

GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Curriculum
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Additional requirements:

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Career opportunities

Graduates are able to analyze legal systems related to governance, policymaking, business and nonprofit organizations. The certificate program provides a valuable overview of legal systems and development of analytic and writing skills that are required for advanced legal training and careers in:

  • arbitration
  • corporate law
  • employment law and human resources
  • environmental law
  • immigration and asylum
  • intellectual property and trademarks
  • legislative research and policymaking
  • lobbying
  • public advocacy
  • sports law
  • trial law

Graduates are able to demonstrate their knowledge of legal systems and applied analytic and writing skills in their applications to top-tier law schools, and graduate and professional schools in public policy, diplomacy and leadership. The certificate program also provides an excellent foundation for those seeking graduate opportunities in STEM or other fields that intersect with public policy or regulation.

Contact information

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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