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Law and Society/Master of Public Policy 4+1

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Ramapo College Office of Admissions

McBride House 505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

p: (201) 684-7300
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About the Law and Society/Master of Public Policy 4+1 Program

The Law and Society degree offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary education in the humanities and social sciences. This provides a strong basis for a wide range of professions, such as public service, law enforcement, healthcare, social services, and legal administration.

Earn Your BA and MPP Degrees in 5 Years

If you’re looking to accelerate your career and expand your opportunities, consider the Law and Society/Master of Public Policy (MPP) 4+1 program. You will learn how to analyze complex issues, engage in informed discussions, and make a real impact on society. The program will give you the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of public policy, as well as a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in policy formulation, analysis, and implementation.

The MPP will cover areas such as climate justice, criminal justice reform, public health, and urban development. You will develop the leadership skill needed to influence public decision-making, ultimately allowing you to contribute meaningfully to your communities and society as a whole.

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What You’ll Learn

Some courses in the Law and Society/Master of Public Policy 4+1 program include:

  • LAWS 131 – LAW & SOCIETY
  • LAWS 206 – HUMAN RIGHTS
  • LAWS 224 – CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
  • LAWS 228 – CRIMINAL LAW
  • PUBL 602 – STATE AND LOCAL PUBLIC POLICY & GOVERNANCE
  • PUBL 616 – ECONOMETRICS AND ANALYSIS
  • PUBL 621 – POLITICAL ECONOMY

Hands-on/Experiential Learning

As a Law and Society major, you’ll dive deeper into your studies through independent study, field work, and your Senior Thesis. Popular internships for our students have included the Mahwah Police Department, Bergen County Police Department, Bergen County Municipal Court, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), county and city courts, law firms, and state senators. Recent internship highlights include the United Nations, White House, and the international law firm White & Case (Germany).

The Ramapo Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Center offers another opportunity for Law and Society majors to obtain hands-on experience in a new and exciting field in the only undergraduate training program in IGG in the country. The IGG Workshop (LAWS 365), where students learn how to conduct IGG and work on real cases from the IGG Center, provides 4-credits towards the Law and Society major. After completing the IGG Workshop, select students may continue to work on real cases of violent crime, unidentified human remains, and wrongful convictions at the IGG Cente

All students in law and society must write a substantial thesis as their capstone. The best theses are published in the Ramapo Journal of Law and Society (www.ramapo.edu/law-journal), one of the few undergraduate law and society journals in the country. The Journal is run by Ramapo students, most of whom are law and society majors.

Our students also have an opportunity to organize and participate in our signature event series, the World of Law and SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) Discussion Series. The program is open to the entire college community, and has featured speakers from, among others, the Bronx Defenders, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Children’s Rights, Center for Reproductive Rights, Legal Aid, American Friends Service Committee, Outten & Golden.

The Master of Public Policy provides students with the chance to intern in various policy settings, such as local and state governments and the offices of U.S. Senators, allowing you to follow your areas of interest. Ramapo College leverages its strong network and community partnerships throughout the program.

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Careers & Outcomes

A number of Law and Society major graduates enter law school each year. In addition, your path may lead you to the education field as a university administrator or a researcher in criminology, a grant writer or program coordinator at a non-profit organization, or a corporate ethics officer for a business.

A Master of Public Policy is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares students to work with and for the government in public and private sector jobs. Many people who earn a Master of Public Policy will seek positions with non-profits, advocacy organizations, think tanks, and corporations in addition to more traditional pathway of work at the local, state, or federal government level.

Many jobs pertaining to an MPP are growing faster than the national average. In New Jersey, positions such as public relations and fundraising managers are expected to grow by 12% in the next eight years.

Read more about Careers

Career Paths

Some professions for Law and Society or Master of Public Policy graduates include*:

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

Market Research Analysts**

Market research analysts study consumer preferences, business conditions, and other factors to assess potential sales of a product or service.

Urban and Regional Planners

Urban and regional planners develop comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities in cities, counties,
metropolitan areas, and other jurisdictions.

Budget Analysts

Budget analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances.

 

*United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/.

**New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/employment-wages/industry-occupational-projections/

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Related Programs

Law and Society

The Law and Society degree is a broad-based interdisciplinary study in the humanities and social sciences. That means that it provides a solid foundation for many career options, including public service, law enforcement, healthcare, social services and legal administration.

Political Science

Political Science is the study of power and authority and the forms they take in life. It deals with a whole range of human behavior, relationships, and values that affect the daily lives of everyone.

Masters of Public Policy (MPP)

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is for individuals who aspire to create a significant and positive impact in the world. This includes areas related to policymaking, public service, or driving social change.

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How to Apply

Ready to apply? Click below. Have questions? Request more information or visit us in person.


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