Mercy College

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary bachelor’s programme blends core legal studies courses with political science theory and practice. You will study foundational legal topics such as civil procedure, criminal law, contracts, legal research and writing, and evidence, alongside political science subjects including American government, comparative politics, political theory, public policy, and research methods.

Typical modules and learning experiences include:

• Legal Research and Writing — techniques for finding and analysing statutes, case law and secondary sources, and clear professional legal writing.
• Introduction to Law & Legal Institutions — structure of courts, sources of law, and the roles of legal professionals.
• Criminal Law and Procedure — substantive offences, rights of the accused, and courtroom processes.
• Civil Litigation Basics — pleadings, discovery, motions and the lifecycle of a civil case.
• Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties — key constitutional doctrines and landmark cases affecting individual rights and government powers.
• American Government and Politics — institutions, federalism, elections and political behaviour.
• Public Policy Analysis — how policies are formulated, implemented and evaluated; use of quantitative and qualitative tools.
• Comparative Politics — comparison of political systems, regimes and political development across countries.
• Research Methods for Social Sciences — qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection and interpretation.
• Capstone / Internship — a supervised practicum, internship with a law office, government agency, NGO or a faculty-supervised research capstone integrating legal and political learning.

Courses emphasise applied skills — legal writing, client communication, negotiation, policy brief drafting and workplace ethics — delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, moot-style exercises and placements.

Entry requirements

Admission to the BS Legal Studies - Political Science programme normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent with a solid academic record. Successful applicants typically present evidence of competence in writing and social studies. Typical entry criteria include:

• A completed secondary school certificate or recognised equivalent;
• A competitive grade point average in academic subjects, particularly English and social sciences;
• Personal statement outlining interest in law and politics and career goals;
• Letters of recommendation are often encouraged, particularly from teachers in humanities or social sciences;
• Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency through accepted tests or prior study in English-medium instruction, unless exempt.

Mercy College also considers mature applicants, transfer students with prior college credit, and those with relevant work experience. Conditional or provisional admission options and advising are available for students who need additional preparation in research or writing.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme leave with practical legal skills and political analysis suitable for a range of roles in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Common career paths include:

• Paralegal or legal assistant roles in law firms, corporate legal departments and public defender or prosecutor offices;
• Compliance officer, regulatory analyst or contract administrator in business and finance;
• Policy analyst, legislative aide or researcher for government agencies, think tanks and advocacy organisations;
• Campaign staffer, public affairs or community outreach coordinator in political organisations and NGOs;
• Graduate study pathways, including law school (JD), public policy, public administration or international relations programmes.

Internships and the capstone project help students build professional networks and practical experience, which employers value for entry-level positions. The programme’s mix of skills—research, writing, analysis and public speaking—also prepares graduates for roles that require clear communication and critical thinking.

Why study at Mercy College

Mercy College offers a student-centred learning environment with small class sizes and faculty who bring professional legal and political experience into the classroom. The campus’s proximity to metropolitan centres provides strong internship and placement opportunities with law firms, government offices and non-profit organisations.

Key advantages include personalised academic advising and pre-law support, experiential learning through internships and practicum courses, flexible scheduling for working students, and career services that assist with résumé development and employer connections. The programme is designed to be both a practical foundation for immediate employment and a robust preparation for further professional study.