Law, Policy, and Political Science, Bachelor of Science

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 360◦ 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.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (27 Credits)

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

ECO 101Economics I

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

POL 300American Politics

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

 

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

OR

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

Writing Requirement (3 Credits)

ENG 310Research Writing

3

OR

LES 226Legal Writing

3

Students pursuing concentrations in GPP or Poli Sci should take ENG 310;

Legal Studies students should take LES 226.

Humanities Electives (6 Credits)

Choose 2 of the following courses:
BBM 319Business Ethics

3

COM 245Writing for the Media

3

DSN 110Fundamentals of Drawing

3

TEC 215Basic Photography

3

or any course that begins CUL, DRA, ETN, ART, SPA, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PHI, or REL

Natural Science Elective (3-4 Credits)

SCI
SCI Elective

Free Electives (18 Credits)

Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.

Interdisciplinary Core (21 Credits)

CTA 326Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

ECO 102Economics II

3

HIS 316American History

3

SOC 304Ethnic Groups and Minorities

3

PHI 310The Art of Rational Thinking

3

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

ORG 304/PSY 304Survey of Human Dynamics

3

 Law, Policy, and Political Science Concentrations

Legal Studies Concentration

Purpose

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 face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. Legal Specialty courses are designated with (LS) below; however, they can also 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)

  • Complete all the requirements for conferral of a Wilmington University baccalaureate degree.
  • Earn the specified cumulative undergraduate GPA: 3.3 or higher (WUSL); 3.5 or higher (DLS).
  • Achieve an LSAT score that meets or exceeds the median LSAT score of the institution's current first-year entering class.

Note: WilmU School of Law median LSAT scores are emerging, and scores lower than 150 may not be eligible.

  • Satisfy all law school admissions requirements relating to character and fitness.
  • Submit a completed application to the desired institution no later than April 1st of the calendar year in which you plan to begin the J.D. degree program.
 
Legal Studies Core (24 credits)
LES 200Legal Ethics

3

LES 220Introduction to Legal Studies

3

LES 225Legal Research

3

LES 228Civil Procedure

3

LES 350Interviewing & Investigating

3

LES 390Advanced Legal Writing

3

LES 440Advanced Litigation Skills

3

LES 491Capstone: Virtual Experience in Legal Studies

3

Directed Core Electives (18 credits)
Choose 6 of the following courses:
LES 205State and Local Government

3

LES 206/POL 365U.S. Regulatory Compliance

3

LES 207/POL 335Global Financial Compliance

3

LES 213American Legal History

3

LES 216Environmental Compliance

3

LES 217/POL 413Food and Drug Law and Policy

3

LES 302Business Organizations

3

LES 304/POL 304/CRJ 304Constitutional Law

3

LES 306Family Law

3

LES 309Bankruptcy

3

LES 311Estates, Trusts, and Probates

3

LES 317Contracts

3

LES 321Real Estate, Transfer, and Ownership Law

3

LES 323/PSY 323/SOC 323Law & Practice in Human Services

3

LES 327Intellectual Property

3

LES 328Personal Injury and Malpractice

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

LES 340Topics in Legal Studies

3

LES 405Delaware Practice

3

LES 430Evidence

3

LES 490Internship in Legal Studies

3

or with Chair's Approval
CRJ 316Criminal Law

3

CRJ 411Criminal Evidence and Procedures

3

HRM 400Legal Aspects of Human Resource Management

3

HSC 325Healthcare Compliance

3

Suggested Program Sequence
Freshman
First Semester
CTA 206Computer Applications

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

 

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

OR

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

Second Semester
ECO 101Economics I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

HUM Elective

3

Natural Science Elective

3 or 4 credits

Sophomore
First Semester
LES 200Legal Ethics

3

LES 220Introduction to Legal Studies

3

LES 225Legal Research

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

HUM Elective

3

Second Semester
HIS 316American History

3

LES 226Legal Writing

3

LES 228Civil Procedure

3

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

PSY 304/ORG 304Survey of Human Dynamics

3

Junior
First Semester
CTA 326Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

ECO 102Economics II

3

PHI 310The Art of Rational Thinking

3

LES 350Interviewing & Investigating

3

Legal Elective

Second Semester
Free Elective

3

Legal Elective

LES 440Advanced Litigation Skills

3

POL 300American Politics

3

SOC 304Ethnic Groups and Minorities

3

Senior
First Semester
Free Elective

3

Free Elective

3

Legal Elective

Legal Elective

LES 390Advanced Legal Writing

3

Second Semester
Free Elective

3

Free Elective

3

Legal Elective

Legal Elective

LES 491Capstone: Virtual Experience in Legal Studies

3

OR

Government and Public Policy Concentration

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.

Program Competencies

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.

Minimum Grade Policy

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.

Government and Public Policy Core (24 credits)
FIN 300Applied Concepts in Accounting and Finance

3

POL 326Public Policy and Social Issues

3

POL 350Economic, Welfare and Income Policy

3

POL 360Education Policy

3

POL 370Energy and Environmental Policy

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

POL 402Analysis of Public Policy

3

POL 403Writing for Public Policy

3

Directed Core Electives (18 credits)
Choose 6 of the following courses:
CRJ 304/LES 304/POL 304Constitutional Law

3

CRJ 330/BAC 330Financial Fraud Examination

3

LES 205State and Local Government

3

LES 206/POL 365U.S. Regulatory Compliance

3

LES 207/POL 335Global Financial Compliance

3

LES 213American Legal History

3

LES 216Environmental Compliance

3

LES 217/POL 413Food and Drug Law and Policy

3

LES 323/PSY 323/SOC 323Law & Practice in Human Services

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

POL 321International Organization and Politics

3

POL 325/HSC 325Healthcare Compliance

3

POL 345Fundamentals of Compliance Management

3

POL 355Corporate Governance and Regulation

3

POL 385/CRJ 385Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

3

POL 490Public Policy Internship

3

OR

Political Science Concentration

Program Philosophy

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.

Program Competencies

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:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of government in relation to its citizens.
  2. Apply basic political ideologies to assess their impact on individual societies.
  3. Differentiate the impact of ideological, social, and political systems on individual nation’s political decisions.
  4. Integrate the ability to identify a problem in state or local government, research, evaluate solutions, and present a recommendation.
  5. Demonstrate effective mastery of political theory through proficient written and oral expression of ideas through tests, projects, papers, and/or presentations.

Minimum Grade Policy

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.

Political Science Core (24 credits)
BBM 103Introduction to Public Administration

3

LES 205State and Local Government

3

LES 213American Legal History

3

POL 304/LES 304/CRJ 304Constitutional Law and Procedures

3

POL 315Comparative Government and Politics

3

POL 321International Organization and Politics

3

POL 326Public Policy and Social Issues

3

SOC 331Research, Writing and Information Literacy in the Behavioral Sciences

3

Directed Core Electives (18 credits)

Choose 6 of the following courses:

CRJ 330/BAC 330Financial Fraud Examination

3

LES 206/POL 365U.S. Regulatory Compliance

3

LES 207/POL 335Global Financial Compliance

3

LES 216Environmental Compliance

3

LES 217/POL 413Food and Drug Law and Policy

3

LES 323/PSY 323/SOC 323Law & Practice in Human Services

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

POL 325/HSC 325Healthcare Compliance

3

POL 335/LES 207Global Financial Compliance

3

POL 340Criminal Justice Policy

3

POL 345Fundamentals of Compliance Management

3

POL 350Economic, Welfare and Income Policy

3

POL 355Corporate Governance and Regulation

3

POL 360Education Policy

3

POL 370Energy and Environmental Policy

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

POL 385/CRJ 385Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

3

POL 490Public Policy Internship

3

Law Policy and Political Science Completion Degrees

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’s degree at an accredited institution. A student who expects to transfer a completed Associate’s 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.

Legal Studies Completion Degree

Curriculum

As a transfer student who holds an associate's 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.

 

Legal Studies Core

CTA 326Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

LES 350Interviewing & Investigating

3

LES 390Advanced Legal Writing

3

LES 440Advanced Litigation Skills

3

LES 491Capstone: Virtual Experience in Legal Studies

3

MAT 308Inferential Statistics

3

ORG 304/PSY 304Survey of Human Dynamics

3

PHI 310The Art of Rational Thinking

3

Approved Legal Studies Elective

Approved Legal Studies Elective

Approved Legal Studies Elective

Approved Legal Studies Elective

Approved Legal Studies Elective

Approved Legal Studies Elective

Approved Legal Studies Elective

The following courses are prerequisites for a concentration in Legal Studies

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

Government and Public Policy Completion Degree

Curriculum

As a transfer student who holds an associate's degree from a partner institution, the following Government and Public Policy courses are required.

 

Government and Public Policy Core (24 credits)

FIN 300Applied Concepts in Accounting and Finance

3

POL 326Public Policy and Social Issues

3

POL 350Economic, Welfare and Income Policy

3

POL 360Education Policy

3

POL 370Energy and Environmental Policy

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

POL 402Analysis of Public Policy

3

POL 403Writing for Public Policy

3

Government and Public Policy Core Electives (21 credits)

Choose 7 of the following courses:

CRJ 304/LES 304/POL 304Constitutional Law

3

CRJ 330/BAC 330Financial Fraud Examination

3

LES 205State and Local Government

3

LES 206/POL 365U.S. Regulatory Compliance

3

LES 207/POL 335Global Financial Compliance

3

LES 213American Legal History

3

LES 216Environmental Compliance

3

LES 217/POL 413Food and Drug Law and Policy

3

LES 323/PSY 323/SOC 323Law & Practice in Human Services

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

POL 321International Organization and Politics

3

POL 325/HSC 325Healthcare Compliance

3

POL 345Fundamentals of Compliance Management

3

POL 355Corporate Governance and Regulation

3

POL 385/CRJ 385Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

3

POL 490Public Policy Internship

3

The following courses are prerequisites for a completion degree in Government and Public Policy

BBM 201

CTA 326

ENG 122

ENG 131

LES 205

POL 300

MAT 205

SOC 101 OR

PSY 101

BBM 103

Principles of Management

Integ. Excel into Bus. Problem Solv.

English Composition II

Public Speaking

State and Local Government

American Politics

Intro Survey of Mathematics

Intro to Sociology OR

Intro to Psychology

Intro to Public Administration

 

POL to MSM with a concentration in Public Administration Accelerated Option

This accelerated option will allow eligible POL students who have selected a concentration in Government and Public Policy to have the option of taking up to two selected graduate level courses in place of selected POL courses and the opportunity to be formally accepted into the MSM program with a concentration in Public Administration prior to completion of the B.S. in Law, Policy and Political Science degree.

In order to be eligible, students must have completed 90 undergraduate credits, completed all required 100 and 200 level POL courses, and successful completion of POL 300 and ENG 310 (or LES 226). Furthermore those students seeking approval for the POL/MSM (with concentration in Public Administration) accelerated option must have obtained an overall GPA of 3.50 or better. Courses taken at the graduate level will fulfill the requirements for both programs.

Students interested in making application may secure the necessary forms and begin the approval process with the Chair of the undergraduate Law, Policy and Political Science program.


Political Science Completion Degree

Curriculum

As a transfer student who holds an associate's degree from a partner institution, the following political science courses are required.

Political Science Core (24 credits)

BBM 103Introduction to Public Administration

3

LES 205State and Local Government

3

LES 213American Legal History

3

POL 304/LES 304/CRJ 304Constitutional Law and Procedures

3

POL 315Comparative Government and Politics

3

POL 321International Organization and Politics

3

POL 326Public Policy and Social Issues

3

SOC 331Research, Writing and Information Literacy in the Behavioral Sciences

3

Political Science Core Electives (21)

Choose 7 of the following courses:

CRJ 330/BAC 330Financial Fraud Examination

3

LES 206/POL 365U.S. Regulatory Compliance

3

LES 207/POL 335Global Financial Compliance

3

LES 216Environmental Compliance

3

LES 217/POL 413Food and Drug Law and Policy

3

LES 323/PSY 323/SOC 323Law & Practice in Human Services

3

LES 330Cyberlaw

3

LES 331Electronic Discovery

3

POL 325/HSC 325Healthcare Compliance

3

POL 335/LES 207Global Financial Compliance

3

POL 340Criminal Justice Policy

3

POL 345Fundamentals of Compliance Management

3

POL 350Economic, Welfare and Income Policy

3

POL 355Corporate Governance and Regulation

3

POL 360Education Policy

3

POL 370Energy and Environmental Policy

3

POL 380Health Care Policy

3

POL 385/CRJ 385Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

3

POL 490Public Policy Internship

3

The following courses are prerequisites for a completion degree in Political Science

 

PHI 310

CTA 326

ENG 122

HIS 381

POL 300

MAT 205

SOC 101

PSY 101

PHI 302

The Art of Rational Thinking

Integ. Excel into Bus. Problem Solv.

English Composition II

Contemporary Global Issues

American Politics

Intro Survey of Mathematics

Intro to Sociology

Intro to Psychology

Ethics and Values in Behavioral Sciences