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Purpose
The law, policy and political science degree is an open-access, career-oriented curriculum for those interested in a career as a paralegal or working in government and politics. Students will select one of three concentration choices, (1) legal studies, (2) government and public policy or (3) political science.
Classes are taught by highly qualified attorneys, government administrators, compliance specialists and those who have served or are serving as political representatives and who work locally to ensure that students are learning skills that are relevant and critical to their success. Additionally, the degree is customizable, allowing students to stack credentials through the addition of minors (pre-law, political science, etc.) or certificates (compliance, etc.).
Experiential Learning Options The Office of Experiential Learning takes a 360â—¦ approach to experiential learning. Whether you come to Wilmington University with a vast amount of professional experience and are awarded Credit for prior learning (CPL), or you participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in your curriculum for credit, we provide a pathway to completing your degree.
CTA 206 Computer Applications
ECO 101 Economics I
ENG 121 English Composition I
ENG 122 English Composition II
ENG 131 Public Speaking
POL 300 American Politics
MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics
PHI 100 Introduction to Critical Thinking
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PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
OR
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
ENG 310 Research Writing
LES 226 Legal Writing
Students pursuing concentrations in Policy or Political Science should take ENG 310;
Legal Studies concentration students should take LES 226.
BBM 319 Business Ethics
COM 245 Writing for the Media
DSN 110 Fundamentals of Drawing
TEC 215 Basic Photography
SCI SCI Elective
CTA 326 Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving
ECO 102 Economics II
HIS 316 American History
SOC 304 Ethnic Groups and Minorities
PHI 310 The Art of Rational Thinking
MAT 308 Inferential Statistics
ORG 304 Survey of Human Dynamics
The Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Legal Studies is designed to prepare students to enter the legal field as a paralegal or legal assistant working under the supervision of an attorney in the public, private, or governmental sectors. Additionally, students will gain a solid foundation for graduate studies in law or careers in other areas, including corporate compliance, human resources, and banking.
Program of Study
This program is oriented around the critical job functions of competent and ethical professionals working in the legal services industry. That means each course within the program has been strategically selected and designed to deliver the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to enter the workforce upon graduation. To enhance this core curriculum and provide a well-rounded academic experience, students will also take a series of general education courses that emphasize analytical thinking, reading comprehension, and interpersonal communication.
Program Competencies
In addition to demonstrating college level proficiency in the Wilmington University undergraduate competencies, Legal Studies graduates will also be able to:
1. Locate, evaluate, use, and communicate legal and non-legal information effectively and appropriately.
2. Apply legal and ethical principles to guide professional behaviors and decision-making.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the use, management, assessment, and application of technology in the legal environment.
4. Exercise critical thinking strategies, including reasoning, problem solving, analysis, and evaluation in the legal context.
5. Demonstrate effective written communication of legal issues, concepts, and authority, utilizing the Bluebook Uniform System of Citation.
6. Exercise effective interpersonal skills, including building and enhancing interpersonal relationships, and interacting effectively with others.
“Legal Specialties”
Students must take a minimum of 18 credits of "legal specialty" courses to earn a degree in Legal Studies. The 18 credits may be satisfied with a combination of transfer courses and courses taken at Wilmington University. A legal specialty is defined by the American Bar Association (ABA) as a course that covers substantive law or legal procedures or processes, has been developed for paralegals, emphasizes practical paralegal skills, and meets the ABA's instructional requirements. The Legal Studies concentration offers legal specialties in synchronous or face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. Legal Specialty courses can be identified by course description and by the Basic Course Information provided on the website.
Face-to-Face Requirement
Students must take a minimum of 9 credits of legal specialty courses through traditional, face-to-face or synchronous classroom instruction. This requirement may be satisfied through any combination of semester, block, or hybrid courses.
Transfer Policy
The Legal Studies concentration may accept in transfer equivalent, legal specialty courses that are taken at another institution. A maximum of 21 credits of legal specialty courses may be accepted from ABA-approved institutions, and a maximum of 9 credits of legal specialty courses may be accepted from institutions which are not ABA-approved.
Credit Through Alternate Sources
The award of credit for legal specialty courses through Portfolio Assessment or by Examination is coordinated by the Law, Policy, and Political Science program Chair to ensure that the quality and integrity of the program are maintained. Any award of credit requires the approval of the program Chair upon demonstration that the credits can be classified as legal specialty, meets the course objectives and practical skills to be developed for the course for which credit is being awarded, meets the needs of the legal community the program serves, and is comparable to course work offered within the program. A maximum of 15 credits may be earned through Portfolio Assessment, and a maximum of 15 credits may be earned through Examination. For more information, please consult the Student Handbook section entitled "Alternative Credit Methods" or speak to the program Chair or an academic advisor.
Lambda Epsilon Chi Honor Society
Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) is a national honor society for paralegal students and one of the highest scholastic honors that can be achieved in the Wilmington University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Invitation to membership in Lambda Epsilon Chi is based on application, grade point average (GPA), and formal recommendation of the Legal Studies Advisory Board. It is the College’s way of recognizing the outstanding scholastic achievements of students completing a Bachelor of Science or Post-Bachelor’s Paralegal Certificate.
Minimum Grade Policy
The Legal Studies concentration has set a minimum passing grade of “C” for LES 200, 220, 225, 226, 228, and 390 (designated with an asterisk). Students receiving a grade lower than “C” in any of these courses must retake that course.
PARALEGALS MAY NOT PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY LAW.
Express Admission to the Wilmington University School of Law or Widener University Delaware Law School
WilmU graduates from any degree program who meet specified academic criteria will be admitted to the Wilmington University School of Law and/or the Widener University Delaware Law School to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program. These students may also be eligible for scholarships. Terms and conditions vary between these institutions and will be outlined at the time of acceptance.
Criteria for Express Admission to Wilmington University School of Law (WUSL) and Widener University Delaware Law School (DLS)
Note: WilmU School of Law median LSAT scores are emerging, and scores lower than 150 may not be eligible.
LES 200 Legal Ethics
LES 220 Introduction to Legal Studies
LES 225 Legal Research
LES 228 Civil Procedure
LES 350 Interviewing & Investigating
LES 390 Advanced Legal Writing
LES 440 Advanced Litigation Skills
LES 491 Capstone: Virtual Experience in Legal Studies
LES 205 State and Local Government
LES 206 U.S. Regulatory Compliance
LES 207 Global Financial Compliance
LES 213 American Legal History
LES 216 Environmental Compliance
LES 217 Food and Drug Law and Policy
LES 302 Business Organizations
LES 304 Constitutional Law
LES 306 Family Law
LES 309 Bankruptcy
LES 311 Estates, Trusts, and Probates
LES 317 Contracts
LES 321 Real Estate, Transfer, and Ownership Law
LES 323 Law & Practice in Human Services
LES 327 Intellectual Property
LES 328 Personal Injury and Malpractice
LES 330 Cyberlaw
LES 331 Electronic Discovery
LES 340 Topics in Legal Studies
LES 405 Delaware Practice
LES 430 Evidence
LES 490 Internship in Legal Studies
CRJ 316 Criminal Law
CRJ 411 Criminal Evidence and Procedures
HRM 400 Legal Aspects of Human Resource Management
HSC 325 Healthcare Compliance
FYE 101 First Year Experience Seminar
HUM Elective
Natural Science Elective
PSY 304 Survey of Human Dynamics
Legal Elective
Free Elective
Program Philosophy
Public policy professionals play a key role in developing and implementing policies in areas such as the environment, energy, healthcare, poverty, transportation, education, justice system, and economic development. They educate the public and policymakers, draft laws, implement specific programs, and monitor the outcomes. Typically, public policy professionals pursue careers in government, government-related businesses, regulated industries, interest groups, and nonprofit organizations as well as graduate studies in law, public administration, public policy, political science, and healthcare administration.
In addition to demonstrating college level proficiency in the Wilmington University undergraduate competencies outlined in this catalog, Government and Public Policy graduates will also be able to:
1. Construct persuasive oral presentations to communicate effectively with various constituencies.
2. Create persuasive position papers, press releases, and original legislation.
3. Differentiate economic, legal, political, and governmental institutions, systems, and processes.
4. Draft an original law based on analysis of problems or issues.
5. Access, use, and evaluate information effectively and appropriately, and use technology to effectively locate and communicate information.
6. Integrate an understanding of economic, legal, political, and governmental institutions, systems, and processes.
The Government and Public Policy concentration requires a minimum grade of “C-” for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C-” in any required program core course must retake that course.
FIN 300 Applied Concepts in Accounting and Finance
POL 326 Public Policy and Social Issues
POL 350 Economic, Welfare and Income Policy
POL 360 Education Policy
POL 370 Energy and Environmental Policy
POL 380 Health Care Policy
POL 402 Analysis of Public Policy
POL 403 Writing for Public Policy
POL 490 Public Policy Internship
CRJ 304 Constitutional Law
CRJ 330 Financial Fraud Examination
POL 321 International Organization and Politics
POL 325 Healthcare Compliance
POL 345 Fundamentals of Compliance Management
POL 355 Corporate Governance and Regulation
POL 385 Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
Students concentrating in political science can qualify for multiple careers in private, non-profit and for-profit organizations, as well as the private sector. Graduates can pursue careers in a variety of disciplines such as law, consulting, research, business and financial services, government jobs at local, state and federal levels, elected office, campaign management, journalism, media and communications, advocacy, non-profit jobs and teaching.
In addition to demonstrating college level proficiency in the Wilmington University undergraduate competencies outlined in this catalog, political science graduates will also be able to:
The political science concentration requires a minimum grade of “C-” for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C-” in any required program core course must retake that course.
BBM 103 Introduction to Public Administration
POL 304 Constitutional Law and Procedures
POL 315 Comparative Government and Politics
SOC 331 Research, Writing and Information Literacy in the Behavioral Sciences
Choose 6 of the following courses:
POL 335 Global Financial Compliance
POL 340 Criminal Justice Policy
What is a Completion Degree?
A Completion Degree is a personalized version of a bachelor’s degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate degree should communicate with a Wilmington University Academic Advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.
Curriculum
As a transfer student who holds an associate degree from a partner institution, the following courses are required.
A minimum of seven (7) approved legal studies electives must be completed at Wilmington University.
Approved Legal Studies Elective
CTA 206
Computer Applications
ENG 121
English Composition I
ENG 122
English Composition II
ENG 131
Public Speaking
MAT 205
Introductory Survey of Mathematics
LES 200
Legal Ethics
LES 220
Introduction to Legal Studies
LES 225
Legal Research
LES 226
Legal Writing
LES 228
Civil Procedure
As a transfer student who holds an associate degree from a partner institution, the following Government and Public Policy courses are required.
Choose 7 of the following courses:
The following courses are prerequisites for a completion degree in Government and Public Policy
BBM 201
CTA 326
LES 205
POL 300
SOC 101 OR
PSY 101
BBM 103
Principles of Management
Integ. Excel into Bus. Problem Solv.
State and Local Government
American Politics
Intro Survey of Mathematics
Intro to Sociology OR
Intro to Psychology
Intro to Public Administration
As a transfer student who holds an associate degree from a partner institution, the following political science courses are required.
PHI 310
HIS 381
SOC 101
PHI 302
The Art of Rational Thinking
Contemporary Global Issues
Intro to Sociology
Ethics and Values in Behavioral Sciences
This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.
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