Southwestern University students interested in law can soon add a Certificate in Legal Studies to their resume. Beginning this fall, Southwestern will offer the Certificate to students in conjunction with their existing major(s) and minor(s).

Developed as a collaboration between the History and Political Science Departments, the Certificate in Legal Studies will ask students to explore the applications, contexts, and consequences of the law, preparing them to engage with questions of the law in today’s society. The Certificate provides exposure to the law while placing an emphasis on courses that build American Bar Association-recommended skills, including problem solving, critical reading, and the promotion of justice.

“This certificate encourages students to think deeply—and critically—about the roles of law, governance, and institutions in shaping our lives,” Associate Professor of History Joseph Hower said. “Whether pursuing law school, public service, or a career in business, students will gain the analytical tools and ethical grounding needed to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic legal landscape.”

Students who complete the Certificate in Legal Studies will gain a critical understanding of how the law shapes and is shaped by society, while becoming informed citizens capable of making judgments about governance, justice, and the law, regardless if they plan to pursue law school after graduating from Southwestern or not.

The Certificate requires the completion of six total courses, including two each from groups of foundational, law-related, and supporting courses, as well as an internship or other high-impact experience. Foundational courses explore the historical and philosophical context of legal systems. Law-related courses are designed to deepen understanding of specific legal areas and offer insight into the law’s practical application in public policy. Finally, supporting courses are meant to broaden perspectives on the law’s interaction with society and elevate competencies that law schools have traditionally found valuable.

Students may select from a list of three foundational courses that encompass the areas of history, political science, and philosophy. Six law-related courses are available, ranging across the business, environmental studies, history, political science, and sociology disciplines. Finally, supporting courses encompass over a dozen areas of study from the humanities and social sciences.

The certificate program is designed so that no more than 12 total credits come from the same academic department. This certificate is the third introduced by Southwestern this year, in addition to Spanish for Healthcare Professions and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D Printing. View Southwestern’s Certificate webpage to learn more.