Politics, Policy and Law
The fascinating and expansive arena of law represents diversity among academic backgrounds. From the paralegal professions to the demanding rigor of law school, the legal domain shares a common set of interdisciplinary themes that are essential for success in these disciplines.
Rooted in the study of politics, policy and law, GCU's government degree in legal studies blends an interdisciplinary curriculum with communication, philosophy and business. It serves as a pre-law degree that offers a foundation in ethical leadership and the knowledge to excel in law school.
Legal Studies Education
With a focus on law school concepts and the legal database research and writing skills that exceed the scope of a two-year paralegal program, the legal studies degree offers the analytical techniques to resolve legal concerns.
It introduces the topics of legal philosophy and the foundations of the law. With an overview of morality in relation to law and ethics, the program examines contemporary topics, such as capital punishment and the legalization of drugs.
It provides the analytical tools within the fields of both criminal and civil law using a contemporary and practical approach. Through an overview of legal practice, civil and criminal law, the legal studies degree has the exposure of a law school curriculum.
Government Core
At the heart of the traditional, evening or online BA in government is a classical liberal arts education that inspires critical reasoning, effective communication and a strong foundation in research and writing. The program offers an introduction into American politics and government. It provides a deep understanding of the constitutional foundations and the governing institutions in the federal government.
With the classics as well as the more contemporary expressions of political thought, the core of the government degree surveys the development of the American Constitution from its colonial origins to the present day. In the broader framework of political philosophy, the program examines constitutional law and the impact Supreme Court decisions have had on society.
Law School Entrance**
The competitive landscape for a quality law school education is driven by an exchange of ideas and varying perspectives. At the core of an effective pre-law program are three core areas of focus:
- Sound reasoning and legal analysis
- Practical legal research and writing
- Soft skills of communication to gather and relay information
Students are admitted to law school from a wide variety of backgrounds. An exposure to the coursework in law school provides a significant edge, alongside the core skills that a law school education demands.
**Program completion does not guarantee acceptance into law school.
Bachelor of Arts - General Education Requirements
General Education coursework prepares Grand Canyon University graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University‛s General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.
| Competency |
Requirements |
GCU Course Options |
Total Credits |
| University Foundations |
Upon completion of the Grand Canyon University's University Foundation experience, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of academic skills and self-leadership. They will be able to articulate the range of resources available to assist them, explore career options related to their area of study, and have knowledge of Grand Canyon's community. Students will be able to demonstrate foundational academic success skills, explore GCU resources (CLA, Library, Career Center, ADA office, etc), articulate strategies of self-leadership and management and recognize opportunities to engage in the GCU community.
Students with fewer than 24 credits will fulfill the University Foundations requirement with a specified lower-division course. An upper-division selection will be made available to students that enter the university with more than 24 credits. |
UNV-103/303, University Success: 4 credits |
4 credits |
| Effective Communication |
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition. |
UNV-104, 21st Century Skills: Communication and Information Literacy: 4 credits
ENG-105, English Composition I: 4 credits
ENG-106, English Composition II: 4 credits
COM-263, Elements of Intercultural Communication: 4 credits |
13-16 credits |
| Christian Worldview |
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to express aspects of Christian heritage and worldview. Students are required to take CWV-101/301. |
CWV-101/301, Christian Worldview: 4 credits |
4 credits |
| Critical Thinking |
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to use various analytic and problem-solving skills to examine, evaluate, and/or challenge ideas and arguments. Students are required to take 3 credits of college mathematics or higher. |
MAT-144, College Mathematics: 4 credits |
3-4 credits |
| Global Awareness, Perspective and Ethics |
Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to demonstrate awareness and appreciation of and empathy for differences in arts and culture, values, experiences, historical perspectives, and other aspects of life (psychology, sociology, government, Christian studies, Bible, geography, anthropology, economics, political science, child and family studies, law, ethics, crosscultural studies, history, art, music, dance, theater, applied arts, literature, health, etc.). |
INT-244, World Religions: 4 credits
PSY-100, Psychology in Everyday Life: 4 credits
SOC-100, Everyday Sociology: 4 credits
If the predefined course is a part of the major, students need to take an additional course. |
10-12 credits |
Course List
| Course # |
Course Title |
Course Description |
Credits |
| GOV-140 |
American Government and Politics |
This course is an introduction to American government and politics. It covers the constitutional foundations and governing institutions of the federal government. Throughout the course, students address common political themes, such as the nature and scope of governance, democracy, citizenship, and patterns of political behavior. |
4 |
| GOV-210 |
Introduction to Comparative Government and International Politics |
This course compares and contrasts various systems of government in Western and non-Western countries, and explores political and diplomatic processes and how they affect international relations, nations, and localities. |
4 |
| GOV-378 |
American Constitution |
This writing-intensive course surveys the development of the American Constitution from colonial origins to the present. Constitutional law in the broader framework of political philosophy is discussed. Major themes in this course are federalism, the doctrine of separation of powers, and the impact of Supreme Court decisions on society. Prerequisite: GOV-140. |
4 |
| GOV-357 |
Philosophy of Law |
This course is an introduction to topics in legal philosophy, including but not limited to the foundations of law, the relation of law and morality, law and ethics, whether persons have a duty to obey the law, the nature of property, the reasonableness of punishment, and the role of constitutions in law. The course will include contemporary topics such as the "right" to die, legalization of drugs, and capital punishment. Readings will be drawn from both historical and contemporary sources. Prerequisite: GOV-140. |
4 |
| GOV-358 |
Research Methods in Government and Politics |
This course introduces the qualitative and quantitative methods used to research and study politics including hypothesis testing, inference, and causal reasoning. Prerequisite: GOV-140. |
4 |
| GOV-364 |
Public Policy Analysis |
This course covers public policymaking in American federal government. It focuses on the impact of policy on public opinion, the media, interest groups, and governing institutions within the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches. Prerequisite: GOV-140. |
4 |
| GOV-307 |
Introduction to Political Theory |
This course examines the political processes that determine who gets what, when, and how in society, and explores the issues and concepts that are used to develop and critique political theories. The classics as well as the more contemporary expressions of political thought are introduced. |
4 |
| GOV-360 |
Civil Law |
This course will provide an overview of the broad field of civil law, provides a contemporary, practical understanding of the different fields of civil law. The course also provides analytical techniques for resolving legal problems. Prerequisite: GOV-357. |
4 |
| JUS-430 |
Criminal Law |
This course provides an introduction to criminal liability with an emphasis on the elements of a crime and governmental sanctions of individual conduct as formulated by the legislature and the court system. |
4 |
| GOV-455 |
Practice of Law |
This course focuses on three major areas of success required to become a successful legal practitioner: legal reasoning and analysis, practical legal research and writing, and "soft" skills of the legal profession such as the ability to gather information from persons and to communicate with persons in the legal arena. Prerequisite: GOV-357. |
4 |
| GOV-459 |
Government Capstone |
This writing-intensive course provides a broad overview of careers at the federal, state, and local levels of governing bodies and agencies. The course explores the role of a bureaucrat, legislative aid, lobbyist, or campaign worker. Issues that are unique to legislatures that make the law, and to public agencies that implement and enforce the law are also explored. This course examines selected theoretical and empirical topics in government. This course represents the culmination of undergraduate study within government. Prerequisites: GOV-140, GOV-210, GOV-307, GOV-358, GOV-378, GOV-364, GOV-366, GOV-376, GOV-351, and GOV-467. |
4 |
| Required Course Total Credit: | 44 |
| General Education Requirements: | 34 - 40 credits |
| Courses: | 44 credits |
| Open Elective Credits: | 36 - 42 credits |
| Total Degree Requirements: | 120 credits |
This program is offered in the following formats or locations:
Main Campus
Enjoy Grand Canyon University's traditional campus experience. As of fall 2014, our 179-acre campus serves a growing student population of approximately 11,000. New modern classrooms, suite-style residence halls, popular dining options, resort-style swimming pools and a focus on creating a rich student life make GCU a top choice for high school graduates and transfer students.
Online
The dynamic capabilities of GCU’s online curriculum offer considerable flexibility and convenience for career oriented professionals who are pursuing their educational goals. Full time faculty members, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Our small class sizes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Classes begin frequently.
