Undergraduate Academics
Find Your Path in Law and Public Policy
Shape the future or policies and regulations with flexible majors, hands-on experiences, and pre-law support to help you succeed in law school and beyond.
Law and Public Policy
Laws and policies shape the world around you, from community well-being and government to business and technology. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this pathway offers majors that prepare you for careers in law, public policy, and beyond. Gain the skills needed for law school, policy analysis, or leadership roles while exploring fields like criminal justice, economics, cybersecurity, and political science. With the right foundation, you can champion for change, influence decision-making, and open doors to exciting careers.
Get expert pre-law advising: Receive personalized guidance on courses, law school applications, and careers.
Gain practical experience: Intern with law firms, government agencies, or community groups to apply your skills in real-world settings.
Engage in undergraduate research: Work with faculty on legal and policy research that tackles pressing societal issues.
Join student organizations: Get involved in mock trial, debate teams, student government, and pre-law clubs to build leadership skills.
Explore a variety of pre-law majors: Customize your experience with options in public policy, environmental policy, criminology, cybersecurity, and more.
Build a strong foundation for law school: Develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills essential for law careers.
Public Policy and Law Career Opportunities
Arbitrator
Help resolve disputes through negotiation and alternative solutions. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators guide parties to agreements. Experience, expertise, or an advanced degree is often preferred.
$71,540 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Community Service Manager
Oversee programs that support communities, such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or social services. Community service managers ensure these programs run smoothly and effectively.
$77,030 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Forensic Scientist
Collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes to help solve investigations. Use scientific methods to support law enforcement and the justice system.
$64,940 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Judge or Hearing Officer
Make legal decisions in court cases, interpret laws, and ensure fair hearings. Judges or magistrates, also known as hearing officers, usually need a doctoral degree.
$132,950 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Labor Relations Specialist
Advise employers and workers on contracts, wages, and workplace policies. Help resolve disputes and ensure fair labor practices.
$89,980 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Lawyer
Represent clients in legal matters, including as a public defender. Lawyers defend clients in court, provide legal advice, and specialize in various fields. An advanced degree and licensure are required.
$145,760 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Paralegal or Legislative Aide
Support lawyers by researching laws, drafting documents, and managing case files. Paralegals, also called legal aides, assist with many law office tasks.
$60,970 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Political Scientist or Policy Analyst
Research and analyze political systems, policies, and trends, including in health policy and international relations. Political scientists and policy analysts help shape public decisions across various industries. A master's degree is often required.
$132,350 national median pay
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Discover Your Path
Not sure where to start? The Find Your Fit quiz helps you explore Penn State’s majors, campuses, athletics, and student groups. Get personalized recommendations to explore options that fit your goals.
More Than Big Ideas
Entrepreneurship
Explore, experiment, and build.
Whether you’re launching a startup or just curious, Penn State’s ecosystem connects you to mentors, support, and potential funding.
Research and Innovation
Tackle big challenges—from fighting disease to protecting the environment. With top-ranked programs and hands-on research, you can contribute to discoveries that matter.
Social Good
Gain the tools to promote fairness, build community, and create meaningful change—on campus and in communities around the world.
Learn More About Our Programs and Resources
Studying in public policy and pre-law majors builds valuable skills that prepare you for law careers, public policy roles, and beyond. Whether you’re analyzing cases, debating policies, or investigating digital threats, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to make an impact. These skills help set you up for law school, other advanced degrees, or direct career opportunities.
Legal reasoning and analysis: Learn how to understand laws, cases, and policies.
Persuasive communication: Develop strong writing and speaking skills to defend ideas and clients.
Problem-solving and critical thinking: Tackle complex issues in law, government, and public policy.
Research and investigation: Gather evidence, analyze data, and build strong legal or policy arguments.
Negotiation and conflict resolution: Learn how to mediate disputes for fair outcomes.
Ethical decision-making: Understand how laws and policies shape justice, business, and society.
Thinking about law school? Penn State’s pre-law advising helps students in any major navigate the path to a legal career.
Whether you’re exploring if law school is right for you or preparing applications, dedicated advisors provide expert guidance through info sessions, workshops, and one-on-one appointments. Get support in choosing the right courses, finding internships, and selecting the best law school for your goals.
Law and public policy careers require strong leadership—whether you're presenting a case, shaping policies, or managing a team. These majors help you develop the confidence, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills needed to lead in legal, government, and community roles.
Public speaking and debate: Gain experience presenting arguments and defending ideas in legal and policy discussions.
Decision-making under pressure: Learn how to analyze complex issues and make informed choices in high-stakes situations.
Teamwork and collaboration: Work with peers, faculty, and professionals to solve legal and policy challenges.
Ethical leadership: Understand how laws and policies shape justice and how to lead with integrity.
Community and civic engagement: Get involved in law careers and public policy initiatives that drive real change.
Direct leadership experiences: Join student government, pre-law organizations, or policy-focused groups to practice leadership in action.
We are dedicated to shaping the future by fostering a community where all students are encouraged to share their unique perspectives. We believe that progress happens when we embrace and amplify ideas, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
Our commitment goes beyond the classroom, weaving together integrity, leadership, and social responsibility. With a focus on creating positive change, Penn State prepares students to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact. From cutting-edge initiatives to global learning opportunities, we empower students to drive social good.
A degree in law and public policy opens doors to advanced education, helping you specialize and deepen your expertise. Whether you're aiming for law school, a master's in public policy, or another graduate program, you'll build a strong foundation to take the next step.
Learn more about graduate programs.
In addition, Penn State Dickinson Law—one of the oldest law schools in the country—offers applied legal training, top faculty, and career connections in major legal markets. If you're interested in shaping laws, supporting the well-being of others, or leading in government, your pathway starts here.
Penn State Eberly College of Science’s Forensic Science program is accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), ensuring a curriculum that meets the highest standards in forensic education. This accreditation recognizes programs that provide students with the scientific knowledge, hands-on training, and ethical foundations essential for careers in forensic investigation.
With access to advanced crime lab and crime scene facilities, students gain real-world experience using the latest forensic techniques. This strong academic foundation, combined with expert faculty and a comprehensive crime-scene-to-courtroom approach, prepares graduates for forensic science careers in law enforcement, laboratories, and beyond.
Take your education further with honors programs, where high-achieving students gain access to small, discussion-based classes, faculty mentorship, and unique academic experiences.
With honors opportunities available across our campuses and Schreyer Honors College, you’ll engage in research, leadership development, and hands-on learning that sets you apart. Personalized advising, study abroad options, and career resources help you make the most of your college journey.
Penn State offers comprehensive career services to help students confidently navigate their career. Our dedicated advisers provide personalized career counseling, resume workshops, interview prep, mock interviews, and job placement assistance.
With over 50,000 career preparedness programs annually and career fairs featuring top employers, we ensure you're well-equipped to succeed. There's a reason recruiters turn to Penn State graduates again and again.
You’ll also have access to networking opportunities with alumni, recruiters, and industry professionals to jumpstart your career.
At Penn State, we provide unmatched networking opportunities through our world’s largest dues-paying alumni network, connecting students to a lifelong community of professionals.
With access to alumni and industry leaders, you’ll gain valuable insights, career advice, and potential job opportunities. Our alumni network and partnerships with top employers ensure that you're building relationships that will support your career for years to come.
Participate in internships and co-op programs to gain valuable real-world experience by connecting you with leading companies across industries.
These opportunities allow you to apply classroom learning to professional settings, build industry-specific skills, and network with potential employers.
Internships are short-term, hands-on positions, while co-ops involve alternating work and study periods for a more in-depth experience. Both are designed to give you a competitive edge, preparing you for a successful career after graduation.
Penn State offers a range of opportunities for students eager to launch their own businesses or drive innovation within existing industries. Through Invent Penn State, you'll have access to programs that support entrepreneurial education both in and outside the classroom.
Our signature programs provide students with the knowledge, resources, and mentorship needed to bring bold ideas to life. Whether you want to start your own venture or lead innovation within a company, Penn State provides the support to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Broaden your perspective with over 300 study abroad programs in more than 50 countries, available year-round for all majors.
Whether through embedded programs that let you take classes while traveling during breaks or global service opportunities like alternative spring break, these experiences will deepen your understanding of international business and culture. Gain the global insights and connections that today’s leaders need to succeed.
At Penn State, undergraduates can dive into research projects that explore new ideas and trends. This experience will set you apart and give you a deeper understanding of your field.
Penn State’s Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) degree programs allow students to pursue both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree as a continuous course of study. This streamlined path accelerates the completion of the master's degree and offers early exposure to graduate-level coursework. IUG students also benefit from networking opportunities with graduate students and faculty who share similar academic and career interests.
We offer more than sixty articulation agreements with colleges and universities around the world to help transfer students continue their education at Penn State. With hundreds of academic majors and campuses across Pennsylvania, you'll have plenty of options to find the right path for your future.