Legal Systems and Governance, Certificate

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Program and Enrollment Requirements Career Outlook Contact Information
  1. Degree Programs
  2. Minors and Certificates
  3. Legal Systems and Governance, Certificate (Certificate)

Showcase your passion for law and public service. Examine legal and philosophical foundations of institutions like the Supreme Court, refine writing and argumentation skills, apply ethical principles to real-world dilemmas, and prepare for law school and impactful careers in legal advocacy.

Program Description

The legal systems and governance certificate program offers a structured pathway for students to explore legal systems and institutions while securing life-transforming internships in the fields of law, government relations and public policy. Drawing on expertise and networks within the School of Politics and Global Studies and across ASU, the program equips students with practical skills applicable to careers in public, private, nongovernmental and nonprofit entities. Students gain experience analyzing the legal dynamics of political events and public policy.

This 15 credit-hour certificate program focuses on four areas: foundations of legal systems; institutions that structure, revise and enforce the law; principles and ethics that guide the development and revision of laws and regulations; and the applications and impacts of law and legal institutions on civil society. The interdisciplinary program combines high-impact experiential learning, classroom and internship opportunities that draw from local embeddedness in the Phoenix area; Washington, D.C. network; and global reach.

GI Bill® benefits
This new program is not yet approved for use with GI Bill® benefits.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.


At a Glance: program details

Certificate Map

  • Location:
    Tempe campus
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No

Program Requirements

Enrollment Requirements

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


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Career Outlook

Graduates are able to analyze legal systems related to governance, policymaking, business and nonprofit organizations. The certificate program provides a valuable overview of legal systems and development of analytic and writing skills that are required for advanced legal training and careers in:

  • arbitration
  • corporate law
  • employment law and human resources
  • environmental law
  • immigration and asylum
  • intellectual property and trademarks
  • legislative research and policymaking
  • lobbying
  • public advocacy
  • sports law
  • trial law

Graduates are able to demonstrate their knowledge of legal systems and applied analytic and writing skills in their applications to top-tier law schools, and graduate and professional schools in public policy, diplomacy and leadership. The certificate program also provides an excellent foundation for those seeking graduate opportunities in STEM or other fields that intersect with public policy or regulation.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Compliance Managers

  • Growth: 4.5%
  • Median Salary*: 136550
  Bright Outlook

Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts

  • Growth: 3.1%
  • Median Salary*: 80190

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

  • Growth: 2.5%
  • Median Salary*: 156210

Judicial Law Clerks

  • Growth: 2.5%
  • Median Salary*: 60400

Lawyers

  • Growth: 4.1%
  • Median Salary*: 151160

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

  • Growth: 4.3%
  • Median Salary*: 67710

Political Scientists

  • Growth: -3.1%
  • Median Salary*: 139380

Legislators

  • Growth: 3.4%
  • Median Salary*: 44810

Public Relations Managers

  • Growth: 5%
  • Median Salary*: 138520
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook | Green Occupation Green Occupation

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • [email protected]
  • 480/965-8563


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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