BA in Law
From finance to social work to government, there is an increasing demand for professionals with legal training in a wide variety of fields.
The BA in Law degree - a first-of-its-kind program exclusive to the University of Arizona - provides training in critical skills that increase employability across multiple professions. In addition to social science and policy courses from the School of Government and Public Policy, you will receive a core legal education taught by top law school professor that train you to think like a lawyer in such as areas as:
- Contracts
- Criminal and Civil Procedure
- Property
- Torts
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
You may then choose from a wide range of law electives in more specialized areas of the law. Launch your career early with a legal internship, or qualify for an accelerated path to law school.
This program offers many opportunities for networking, mentorship, interdisciplinary study, and specialization in a particular area of study. You may also choose to double major in Law and another discipline that meets your academic and professional goals.
Curriculum (39 Units)
SGPP Core Curriculum (12 units)
- POL 201 – American National Government
- POL 202, 203, 204, 206 or 209 (choose two)
- SGPP Elective
Law Core Curriculum (12 units)
- LAW 401 Procedure (civil, criminal, and administrative procedure)
- LAW 402A The American Common Law System I (torts and contracts)
- LAW 402B The American Common Law System II (property)
- LAW 404 The American Public Law System (constitutional and administrative law)
Law Electives (15 units)
See the Law BA Checklist (PDF) for law electives and requirements; check the current catalog for offerings.
Option: Accelerated Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Program
See the Accelerated Master of Legal Studies for information about course requirements for admission to, and completion of, the AMP program.
Option: Accelerated Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) Program
See the Accelerated Master of Library & Information Science for information about course requirements for admission to, and completion of, the AMP program.
Option: Tribal Courts and Justice Administration Undergraduate Certificate (12 units)
BA students may choose to apply some of their coursework toward a Tribal Courts and Justice Administration Undergraduate Certificate. The certificate is available both to University of Arizona students and to members of the community interested in administering justice in Indian country.
Option: Legal Paraprofessional (LP) Track or Certificate
BA in Law students may be eligible for licensure as an LP, Arizona's newest tier of legal service provider, by completing either the LP track of courses in conjunction with the BA in Law or completing additional courses to earn the LP Undergraduate Certificate. Interested students must complete the BA in Law curriculum and the LP Specific Courses which includes:
LP Required Courses (9 UNITS)*
- LAW 407 - Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research (3 units)
- LAW 408 - Evidence in Modern Legal Practice (3 Units)
- LAW 410 - Professional Responsibility in Modern Legal Practice (3 units)
*LAW 401 also is required but is already part of the LAW Core Courses
Practice Area Specific Courses (9 UNITS)
FAMILY LAW:
- LAW 456 - Family Law (3 units)
- LAW 493P or LAW 496A or LAW 456A- Legal Internship or Legal Clinic or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to your future area of authorized practice. Internship must be coordinated in advance to ensure program compliance.)
And one of the following:
- LAW 421 - Administrative Law (3 units)
- LAW 467 - Tribal Courts Practice & Procedure (3 units)
- LAW 456A - Arizona Family and Civil Procedure & Advocacy (3 units--if not already taken)
CIVIL LAW:
- LAW 493P or LAW 496A or LAW 456A- Legal Internship or Legal Clinic or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to your future area of authorized practice. Internship must be coordinated in advance to ensure program compliance.)
And one of the following:
- LAW 421 - Administrative Law (3 units)
- LAW 467 - Tribal Courts Practice & Procedure (3 units)
- LAW 456A - Arizona Family and Civil Procedure & Advocacy (3 units--if not already taken)
CRIMINAL LAW:
- LAW 458 - Criminal Law (3 units)
- LAW 472 - Criminal Procedure (3 units) (Certificate requirement only)
- LAW 493P or LAW 458A - Legal Internship or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship experience must be related to criminal law. Internship must be coordinated in advance to ensure program compliance)
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW:
- LAW 421 - Administrative Law (3 units)
- LAW 493P or LAW 496A or LAW 421A - Legal Internship or Legal Clinic or Online Legal Simulation Course (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to administrative law.)
And one of the following (certificate requirement only):
- LAW 478A - Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery (3 units)
- LAW 479B - Legal and Regulatory Fundamentals of Health Care Business (3 units)
- LAW 480A - Liability and Regulation for Healthcare Professionals (3 units)
JUVENILE LAW: (NEW SPRING 2024)
- LAW 424 - Dependency Law and Policy (3 Units)
- LAW 493P or LAW 496A* - Legal Internship or Legal Clinic (3 units) (Internship or clinical experience must be related to juvenile dependency law.) Clinic available Fall 202
And one of the following (certificate requirement only):
- LAW 426 - Children & the Law (3 Units)
- LAW 456 - Family Law (3 Units)
- LAW 465B Mediation (Requires department permission) (3 Units)
Plus Complete 1 Elective (3 credit) Course from the list below (certificate requirement only)
Any additional practice area course option not taken previously
LAW 462 (1) and LAW 465A (2) - Intro to ADR and Interviewing and Counseling
Additional courses not listed here will require advance approval
See the Legal Paraprofessional (LP) website for more information about Arizona Law LP educational programs and the Arizona State Administrative Office of the Courts website for information about the licensure process. If you are already enrolled in the BA in Law degree program, please reach out to your advisor to create your plan of study.
General Degree Requirements
- Writing Requirement: Students receiving a “B” or better in ENGL 102, 108, or 109H must complete 1 writing emphasis course from the list below with at least a “B”. Students receiving a “C” or worse in ENGL 102, 108, or 109H must complete 2 writing emphasis courses from the Law BA Checklist (PDF) with at least a “B” in one, and at least a “C” in the other. Taking a writing emphasis course pass/fail will not satisfy this requirement. Courses marked with an * are writing emphasis courses.
- Major Upper Division: A minimum of 18 units of upper division major coursework is required.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 18 units of the Law BA coursework must be taken at the University of Arizona.
- Fee: All students with junior or senior standing and a declared major in Law will be charged a $900/semester differential tuition until they graduate or start law school.
For questions about declaring the major, scheduling, and degree requirements, contact:
Academic Advisor for Law
Social Sciences 115B
SBS-sgppadvising@email.arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-7601
Updated: 9/8/2023