What is the Law & Society Program?

Jefferson’s Law & Society program is so much more than just pre-law — our mission is to understand how society and institutions operate, and how they are controlled by law and other forces. To take on this task, the program employs an interdisciplinary approach exploring these issues through the lenses of pre-law, sociology, criminology, psychology, ethics, economics, culture, science, history, politics and political science.

We build critical thinking and communications skills while we effectively debate. We actively examine how legal systems impact social justice and human rights within both the American and international contexts. We examine and discover the reliable evidence while weeding through the false narratives and fake news.

Armed with superior writing and arguing skills, many of our students have taken advantage of the pre-law aspect of the program—attending top-tier law schools and going on to become successful attorneys. Others, using the skills imparted to them through our unique interdisciplinary approach, go on to careers in criminal justice, political science, public policy, public service, business and psychology. After completing our program, our students have gone on to:

• Serve as law enforcement officers on the local, state and federal levels
• Work as paralegals
• Earn MBA degrees and work in industry and non-profit organizations
• Become entrepreneurs
• Serve as legislative aides to the US Congress and Senate
• Earn degrees in psychology and counseling
• Become college administrators and teachers

Learn more about what our students and alumni have to say.

How 9/11 'Truther' Conspiracy Theories Fueled the War on Reality | Opinion

Conspiracy theories blaming George W. Bush for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have been debunked, yet millions of Americans still believe them. Watch program director Evan Laine's opinion piece with the Washington Post.