Law and Policy

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Note: Students majoring in Law and Policy cannot minor in Law and Policy or Politics.

Program Overview

By majoring in Law and Policy, you will learn to think analytically about both law and public policy. Our coursework links with the challenges facing policy makers and social activists in Tacoma, Washington State, the U.S., and the world.

    The Law and Policy major consists of 65 total credits:

    • Core courses (35 credits)
    • Elective courses (25 credits)
    • Capstone requirement (5 credits)
    In addition to the coursework required for the major, students are required to complete general university requirements and electives, and to bring their total number of credits to 180.
    Students in discussion.

    Capstone Requirement

    Toward the end of their studies, all Law and Policy students engage in a capstone class. Some students take a seminar class, while others choose to do an internship. As a Law and Policy student, you also have the option of graduating with honors. This route is especially recommended for students expecting to enter graduate school. For more information on graduating with honors, speak with your advisor or view the application requirements.  Please note that you must submit your application AFTER you have completed all requirements, unless you are completing one or more requirements in your final quarter.

    Career Options

      Majoring in Law and Policy is a good start for students interested in a range of different careers related to government, law, and politics, such as:

      • Public policy analysis and management
      • Nongovernmental organizations
      • Local, state and federal government
      • Law and legal administration
      • Law enforcement
      • Rights advocacy
      • Teaching

      Many Law and Policy majors continue on to graduate programs in law, policy studies, public policy, politics, public administration, management, education, and community advocacy. Read more about our alumni here.

       Law and Policy Degree Requirements

      Law and Policy transfer student information

      You might be able to fulfill some of the Law and Policy major requirements with coursework taken elsewhere.

      Many colleges offer courses that can be used to earn credits toward your TLAWPL degree. This means that you can arrive at UW Tacoma well on your way to completing the Law and Policy major. Please see an advisor at your community college to find out more about the articulation agreement with our campus, or contact UW Tacoma's TLAWPL advisors Heather Hucks or Suzanne McCusker.

      Courses that will fulfill specific requirements in the Law & Policy major  
      GREEN RIVER COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 203 International Relations TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
      PHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics TPHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics
         
      HIGHLINE COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 180 or 190 Critical Issues in World Politics TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
         
         
      OLYMPIC COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 203 International Relations TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
      PHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics TPHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics
         
      PIERCE COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 203 International Relations TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
      PHIL 150 Introduction to Ethics TPHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics
      PHIL 115 Critical Thinking Practical Reasoning requirement - either TPHIL 250 or TPHIL 251
         
      SEATTLE CENTRAL COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 203 International Relations TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
      PHIL 240 Liberation Ethics TPHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics
         
      SOUTH PUGET SOUND COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 203 International Relations TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
         
      TACOMA COURSES WITHIN THE AA UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL
      POLS 202 American Government TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics
      POLS 203 International Relations TPOLS 203 Introduction to International Relations
      PHIL 215 Introduction to Ethics TPHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics

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      Law and Policy Courses (Students declaring the major autumn 2016 or later) 

      Law and Policy Core Courses (35 credits)

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      Electives (minimum 25 credits)

      Each of the courses selected from the lists below must be in addition to those chosen to fulfill core requirements.

      Law and Legal Systems in Policy Making (15 credits)

      Theory and Practice in Law and Policy (10 credits)

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      Capstone (5 credits)

      You must select one of the options below for your final five (5) credits in this major. This course will be your culminating work for your major and illustrate that you have meet the student learning objectives as found in our Course Catalog. 

      One of the following:

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      Law and Policy Courses (Students who declared the major prior to autumn 2016) 

      Law and Policy Core Courses 

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      Areas of specialization (25 credits)

      You may choose from one of four areas of specialization and complete at least 15 credits from that area. In addition, you must complete 10 credits from any of the area lists to provide breadth to your coursework.

      Area of specialization: Health Policy

      Area of specialization: Social Policy

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      Area of specialization: International Development

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      Area of specialization: Legal Studies

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      Capstone or Internship

      You must select one of the options below for your final five (5) credits in this major. This course will be your culminating work for your major and illustrate that you have meet the student learning objectives as found in our Course Catalog. While the Law and Policy capstone and internship courses are being developed, you may substitute the course options with the TPPE capstone or internship courses as listed below. This option should be confirmed with your advisor prior to registering for the course, so it can be applied correctly in DARS.

      One of the following:

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      For questions about the Law and Policy major, contact advisors Heather Hucks or Suzanne McCusker.

       Additional courses may be approved and added to courses lists to provide students more flexibility and options.
      Please refer to this page often for the most up-to-date information.

      To request changes or updates to this page, please use our Web Edit Request Form.