Minor in Law and Public Policy

Learn how law, government and societal well-being intersect. 

Taking courses from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Moritz College of Law provides a unique perspective and understanding of how law shapes public policy, influences decision-making and impacts communities. 

 

Declare the Minor About Moritz College of Law

Gain skills to navigate complex policy challenges, advocate for effective governance and drive meaningful change – useful for careers in law, government, advocacy or public service.

Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:

  1. Describe public policy and the policy-making processes within United States governments.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of how the legal system and associated institutions impact the public affairs environment.
  3. Identify the legal basis for the practice of public affairs.
  4. Develop skills both as a professional and as a citizen to participate in the development and implementation of public law and policy.
  5. Gain an introduction to an applied area of interest in law and public affairs. 

Curriculum

Coursework integrates applied perspectives, empowering students to address real-world legal challenges.

This undergraduate minor requires completion of a minimum of 15 credit hours. Students are required to take four classes (12 credit hours) in foundational courses and one additional course (3 credit hours) from the special topics listed below. 

Take all of these courses

  • PUBAFRS 2110 - Introduction to Public Affairs (3)
  • PUBAFRS 4510 - Law and Public Affairs (3)
  • LAW 4030- Introduction to the American Legal System (3) *
  • LAW 4035 – Understanding Jurisprudence: An Introduction to Legal Theory (3) 

*Students may substitute LAW 4796: Anglo-American Legal System (Ohio State/Oxford Pre-Law Program 6 credits) for this course. If a student takes LAW 4796, the student does not need to take a course from the elective list, below. 

Public Institutions, Administration, and the Law 

  • PUBAFS 3210 - Civics, the Making of Law, and the Development & Implementation of Public Policy (4)
  • PUBAFS 3220 - Citizenship in the Age of Big Data: Law, Technology, and Social Justice (3)
  • PUBAFS 5506 - Administration of Criminal Justice Policy (3)
  • PUBAFS 5510 - Cybersecurity Law, Management, and Policy (3) ** 

** This course requires prior cybersecurity knowledge. Students are expected to have taken ECE 5561: Introduction to Cybersecurity or PUBAFRS 5570 Data Governance in the public sector. Students can obtain a waiver through permission from the course instructor by having taken an equivalent course or by having prior experience. 

Law and other Special Topics: 

  • LAW 4015 Difficult Conversations in Polarized Times (1)
  • LAW 4020 Engaging with Polarized Groups (1)
  • LAW 4025 Facilitating Potentially Contentious Meetings (1)
  • AEDECON 3170 - Agribusiness Law (3)
  • AFAMAST 4610 - African Americans and the Law (3)
  • BUSMHR 4244 – Negotiations (3)
  • COMM 3404 - Media Law and Ethics (3)
  • ENR 4648 - Environment and Natural Resources Law Enforcement (3)
  • ENR 5642 - Environment and Natural Resources Administration (3)
  • INTSTDS 4242 - Incomplete Democracies: the (Un)Rule of Law in Latin America (3)
  • INTSTDS 5800 - International Law (3)
  • POLITSC 4130 - Law and Politics (3)
  • POLITSC 4135 - American Constitutional Law (3)
  • POLITSC 4138 - Women and the Law (3)
  • PSYCH 4485 - Psychology and the Law (3)
  • SOCIOL 4509 - Sociology of Law (3)
  • SOCWORK 5015 - Social Work and the Law (3)
  • WGSST 3200 - Breaking the Law: An Introduction to Gender Justice (3) 

Students may petition to use courses that are relevant. They should check with Glenn College advising as to the appropriateness of the courses. 

Students may also count internship credit from any department (e.g. PUBAFRS 4191.01), provided the student completes an internship related to law and public affairs. 

Featured Faculty

Meet the law and policy experts teaching these classes.

Edward Foley

Edward Foley is widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost experts on election law. He will teach LAW 4035: Understanding Jurisprudence: An Introduction to Legal Theory.

Jos Raadschelders

Dr. Jos Raadschelders does research in and teaches about public administration theories, history of government, comparative government and civil service systems. Learn from him in PA 2110: Introduction to Public Affairs.

Steve Huefner, A.B., J.D.

Professor Huefner practiced law for five years in the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, U.S. Senate, and for two years in private practice. Learn from Prof. Huefner in LAW 4030: Introduction to the American Legal System.

Esra Gules-Guctas

Dr. Gules-Guctas worked as an attorney before entering academia. Her research and teaching are informed by her professional insights at the intersection of law, technology and public policy. Learn from her in PA 4510: Law & Public Affairs

Katherine Kelly, B.A., M.A., J.D.

Katherine Silver Kelly is an accomplished, award-winning clinical professor of law at Moritz, teaching legal analysis and writing and coaching in the moot court program. Kelly will co-teach Public Affairs 3210.

Additional Program Detail

Declaring the Minor

  • To add a minor at the Glenn College, contact the advising office.
  • The minor coursework must be approved by the Glenn College. Once the minor program is filed in the college office, any changes to coursework must be submitted for approval. 
  • The minor program form must be filed by the time the graduation application is submitted to a college/school counselor.

Credit Hour Requirements and Transfers

Requirements:

  • This program is not required for graduation.
  • A minimum of 15 credit hours are required for completion.
  • A minimum of six credit hours must be at the 3000 level or above.

Transfers:

  • A student is permitted to count up to six total hours of transfer credit and/or credit by examination toward the minor.

Overlap

  • Three credit hours may be overlapped between this minor and a major or another minor. 
  • G.E. overlap is permitted up to six total hours.

Requirements for completion

Grade requirements for earning a minor:
  • Minimum C- for a course to be listed on the minor.
  • Minimum 2.00 cumulative point-hour ratio required for the minor.
  • Coursework graded Pass/Non-Pass cannot count on the minor.
  • No more than three credit hours of courses graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory may count toward the minor.

For More Information

Contact:

Glenn College Majors:
Contact your Advisor

Non Glenn College Majors:
Contact Steve Fink

Law and Public Policy Career Paths

Glenn College minors help you make a major impact.

View all Glenn College Minors