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Socio-Legal Studies, Certificate

Analyze the law as a social, political and cultural force while sharpening your research, critical thinking and argumentation skills. This certificate complements any major and strengthens your path to law school, graduate study and careers in policy, advocacy and public service.

Students study together at a table, showcasing collaborative learning in the certificate in Socio-Legal Studies.,

Quick facts

Additional facts

Accreditation

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Certificate description

Socio-legal Studies undergraduate certificate description

The distinction between law on the books and law in action, which refers to how people experience law in their everyday lives, is a cornerstone of the undergraduate certificate program in socio-legal studies.

The program offers you a model for educating and training you in the study of legal ideas, institutions and practices from the perspectives of the social sciences, law and the humanities.

Why earn a socio-legal studies undergraduate certificate at ASU?

At ASU, the curriculum examines how law intersects with race, gender, class, immigration and other axes of inequality and how legal tools can be used to advance justice and reform.

Additional details

Outside the classroom, connect with pre-law and law-related organizations such as moot court, debate and pre-law societies. Explore social justice, human rights and advocacy clubs that engage with policy and community issues and attend guest lectures, panels and workshops on law, policy and society hosted by The College and related units.

Courses

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

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What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Critically assess core socio-legal theory, concepts and methods.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the fundamental principles of socio-legal studies to specific domestic or international issues through direct community engagement or research.

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

Students who have attained sophomore standing (30 credit hours) in any undergraduate degree program at ASU are eligible for admission to the certificate program for socio-legal studies.

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.


Explore expanded study opportunities

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Career opportunities

Careers this socio-legal studies undergraduate certificate prepares you for

Graduates who have combined the certificate in socio-legal studies with their major program of study may be more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in law, education, public service, and human welfare and social work. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

School of Social Transformation | WLSN 5th floor
SSTadvising@asu.edu
480-965-7682

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

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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