Bachelor of Arts in Law

Bachelor's graduate in mask bumps elbows with Dean, also in mask, to celebrate graduation

Bachelor of Arts in Law

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.

 

The BA in Law is a collaboration of the James E. Rogers College of Law and the School of Government and Public Policy (SGPP).

Benefits of BA

Prepare for a wide variety of legal-related careers, develop critical thinking and communication skills, and gain a foundational understanding of the law.

  • Rigorous training for high-performing undergraduates
  • Learn with top University of Arizona Law faculty in foundational areas of the law such as property, contracts, torts, administrative law, and criminal and civil procedure.
  • Gain practical skills such as critical thinkingproblem solving, and effective written and oral communication
  • Focus on your personal interests through electives including Native American law, business, immigration, family law, criminal law, environmental law, and health law.
  • Graduate well-equipped for employment in an increasing number of jobs where legal training gives you a competitive edge
  • Get a jump start on law school if you qualify for University of Arizona Law's 3+3 BA/JD admissions path
  • Earn an accelerated Master of Legal Studies degree in only one additional semester after your BA in Law with our Accelerated Master of Legal Studies or earn an accelerated Master of Library and Information Science in only one year through our BA in Law with an Accelerated Master of Library and Information Science

Career Possibilities

There are numerous careers for which formal legal education is beneficial, but for which a JD is not required. These career opportunities are in all levels of federal and state governments, business and many legal or civically engaged organizations.

Career options include:

Asylum (Immigration) Officer Law Librarian International Trade Specialist Political Advisor
Auditor Employee Benefits Manager Investigator Procurement Analyst
Case Manager Environmental Impact Analyst IRS, FBI, ICE or DEA Agent Public Affairs/Media Specialist
City Planner Environmental Protection Specialist Legal Correspondent Resource Manager
Civil Rights Advocate/Campaigner Financial Adviser Jury Consultant Social Worker
Claims Advisor or Adjustor Foreign Affairs Officer Legal Technology Consultant Tax Advisor
Commercial Developer Health/Medical Administrator Lobbyist Trade Policy Analyst
Compliance Officer Human Resources Specialist Natural Resources Officer Tribal Operations Specialist
Conflict Resolution Specialist Human Rights Officer Paralegal Specialist Victim Advocate/Coordinator
Congressional Staffer Immigration Specialist Ombudsperson UN Young Professional (Human Rights, Political Affairs)
Consumer Safety Officer Indian Self Determination Specialist Patent Examiner Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Contracts Administrator Intellectual Property Research Specialist Politician/Legislator Water Manager/Resource Specialist
Corporate Ethics Officer Intelligence Officer/Analyst Policy Analyst Insurance Agent/Investigator

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! In fact, we have the only Arizona Supreme Court approved undergraduate pathway for LP licensure in the state. Individuals interested in becoming a licensed LP in Arizona have many pathways to eligibility and we can help figure out the best pathway for you. Contact kaclairmont@arizona.edu for more information and individualized answers to your LP questions.

An undergraduate degree in law provides a cost-effective route to legal training for the vast array of careers for which knowledge of the law is necessary but for which it is not necessary to be a lawyer. Undergraduate training in law will also open careers in areas of substantial regulation and where there are opportunities for non-lawyers to deliver new services. For qualified law majors who want to practice law, the degree also provides an accelerated path to the JD at Arizona Law (the “3+3 Program”).

The BA in Law differs markedly from existing “legal studies” programs at other universities, which tend to approach the law not as a separate discipline but rather as a subset of another discipline in the humanities or social sciences. Legal studies programs are also primarily taught by faculty who do not possess law degrees or formal legal training. The BA in Law approaches law as a separate intellectual discipline, and teaches legal reasoning and substantive law with systematic rigor. Unlike legal studies and pre-law programs, the BA in Law provides undergraduate law students with the core competencies and skills required for law-related work. Required law courses for the BA in Law are taught by College of Law faculty, with both formal legal training and substantial experience teaching law and legal reasoning.

Information about changing your major can be found on the How to Apply page. Students must view the online information session and then submit the Online Change of Major form at the end of session. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Academic Advisor for Law, to ensure that they meet all degree requirements in time for graduation. To make an appointment, call (520) 621-7601 or book an appointment online through https://sbs.arizona.edu/advising/scheduling.php.

The BA in Law is a degree intended to offer a legal background to students who wish to pursue a law-related career for which legal training is helpful but for which a JD is not required. Admission to law school is a multidimensional process not dependent on one’s undergraduate major. But an undergraduate degree in law will provide useful training for those who wish to continue their legal education in law school. Moreover, Law BA students admitted to the James E. Rogers College of Law through the 3+3 program can earn their BA and JD in less time.

With proper planning, seniors with two academic semesters remaining before graduation may still have sufficient time to meet Law BA degree requirements if they are currently pursuing other SGPP majors. Interested seniors should speak to the Academic Advisor for Law about a checklist and degree plan as soon as possible.

Students are welcome to seek double majors, both within SGPP and in other departments. Students are encouraged to speak with the Academic Advisor for Law (see above) with regards to declaring double majors to ensure that all course requirements are met. Students outside of SGPP should first speak to their home department Academic Advisor.

Students are assessed a $900 per semester program fee for each semester they are declared in the major, beginning once they have completed 60 units. These fees are used to defray the costs of the dedicated law faculty, teaching fellows, facilities and administration of the undergraduate law program and curriculum.

Kristen Kiepke is the Academic Advisor for the Bachelor of Law students and her office is located near the main SGPP office, Social Sciences 115B. To make an appointment, call (520) 621-7601 or book an appointment online through https://sbs.arizona.edu/advising/scheduling.php.

Four-Year Sample Degree Plans are available for Law BA students and 3+3 BA/JD program candidates. Specific questions regarding course work can be directed to the Law Academic Advisor.

The Law Library exists primarily to serve the needs of students, faculty, and staff of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. However, the library collection is available to law majors with a legitimate legal research need. Some library resources, such as the computer lab, digital materials, audio/visual materials and study rooms are available only to current law students. Books for undergraduate law courses will be available in the reference section at the University of Arizona’s Main Library, along with other legal reference materials.

Students are encouraged to follow their interests in seeking a minor to complement the BA in Law. Sociology, psychology, environmental policy, global studies and many other areas of study would be beneficial to a graduate with a BA in Law. Students should speak to the Academic Advisor for Law when deciding on their minor. Double majors are not required to pursue a minor.

Students who major in one of the SGPP degrees may not minor within SGPP, but are encouraged to seek minors in areas of interest from other departments.

Students are encouraged to speak to the Law Academic Advisor about career questions or the MLS Career Counselor. They may also seek advice through the UA Career Services Offices.

Key Contacts

Keith Swisher
Professor of Legal Ethics; Director, BA in Law and Master of Legal Studies Programs

Phone: 520-626-8373
Email Keith Swisher

Mark L.M. Blair
Associate Director, Master of Legal Studies Program; Undergraduate Law Program

Phone: 520-626-8575
Email Mark L.M. Blair

Linus Kafka
Assistant Director, Careers and Outreach, Master of Legal Studies Program; Undergraduate Law Program

Phone: 520-626-8896
Email Linus Kafka