College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is committed to providing all of its students with an education that balances in-depth study in select areas with a breadth of experience in the various disciplines that form the core of human knowledge. All programs of study share a commitment to the highest standards of academic quality, to a mode of study that nurtures critical thinking skills, to a self-conscious examination of questions of value and meaning, and to the development of those habits of the heart and mind intrinsic to a life-long and independent learner.

Our commitment is reflected in a faculty that is as strongly committed to teaching as it is to research. It is reflected in curricular practices that discourage students from concentrating in one subject area to the exclusion of all others. And it is reflected in the College’s encouragement of interdisciplinary areas of study, effective collaboration, and the development of leadership skills that can be applied across all areas of knowledge.

The College values and nurtures the distinctiveness of the Vincentian mission of the University. The interactions among its faculty and between its faculty and its students are characterized by sincere personal care. Significant portions of the curriculum speak to questions of social responsibility, ethical standards for behavior, and an active engagement with the people of Chicago and the world.

Contact Us

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
990 West Fullerton Avenue
Suite 4200
Chicago, Illinois 60614-2458

773/325-7300 (phone)
773/325-7304 (fax)
las@depaul.edu
lasgrad@depaul.edu

Administration & Faculty

Office of the Dean

Guillermo Vásquez de Velasco, PhD
Dean

Peter Vandenberg, PhD
Executive Associate Dean

Julie Artis, PhD
Associate Dean

Tracey Lewis-Elligan, PhD
Associate Dean

John Shanahan, PhD
Associate Dean

Margaret Storey, PhD
Associate Dean

Susanna Pagliaro, PhD
Executive Assistant Dean

Alecia Person, MA
Senior Executive Assistant

Katie Kutina Grublesky, BA
Assistant Director of Personnel

LAS Advising Services Office

2352 North Clifton Avenue
Suite 130
Chicago, Illinois 60614
773-325-7310 (p)
773-325-7311 (f)

Undergraduate

LASAdvising@depaul.edu
Website

Tania Rodriguez, MS
Director

Eunice Amador, MS
Assistant Director and Academic Advisor

Jordan Kindle, BA
Assistant Director and Academic Advisor

Gwenyth Bailey Knorr, MEd
Assistant Director and Academic Advisor

Jason Majchrzak, MS
Assistant Director and Academic Advisor

Monika Okitipi, MA
Assistant Director and Academic Advisor

Corban Sanchez, MS
Assistant Director and Academic Advisor

Graduate

LASGraduateOffice@depaul.edu
Website

Gerald Cruz, BA
Associate Director of Graduate Student Services

Undergraduate Academics

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers a wide range of Undergraduate majors, Graduate programs and Certificates.

Honors Program

Most students follow the Liberal Studies Program to meet their general education requirements. However, students accepted into the Honors Program fulfill general education requirements through an alternative set of courses. A student in the Honors Program pursuing a primary major in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences follows the requirements below:

The number of hours required for the Honors Program varies according to major, and is equal to the Liberal Studies Program required hours for that major. Honors requirements include core courses, a science requirement, a math requirement, an art requirement, a language sequence, a multiculturalism seminar, a junior seminar, and a senior thesis or senior seminar. Some AP and IB credit will apply toward Honors core courses. Credit can also be applied toward the math, science, or language requirements. Depending on the college and major, some Honors requirements may be waived. Specific requirements can be found within the student's college in the Colleges and Schools section.

Honors Core

*

Advanced placement credit will fulfill Honors Core requirements as listed:

• AP Literature credit for ENG 101 (previously ENG 120) will fulfill HON 101
• AP credit for HST 111 or HST 171 fulfills HON 102

¹

HON 180 is not required for students with a Calculus, Statistics, Business Analytics, or Discrete Mathematics requirement for the major. 

The courses (including AP, IB and transfer credit) that can replace HON 180 are as follows: MAT 242, MAT 135, MAT 137, MAT 150, PSY 240, SOC 279.

²

HON 201 is not required for students in the Theatre School or the College of Education

³

HON 205 is not required for students in School of Music, The Theatre School, or the BFA Animation major in CDM.

Honors Senior Requirements

Note: Honors students in the Pathways Honors Program accepted into a 3+ program for admission to RFUMS will be waived from the Honors Senior Requirements.

Honors Senior Thesis Option

Students who choose to complete an Honors Senior Thesis must have their project approved at least one term prior to executing the project. To gain approval for a senior thesis, students must complete an online application, including a project proposal, signed by two faculty advisors. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the program, the thesis should attempt to move outside the boundaries normally associated with one particular discipline and should be supervised by two faculty members from different academic fields. While the final product must be a substantial piece of work building on the student’s accumulated knowledge and new research, specific requirements for each thesis will depend on the nature of the project. See the Honors director or associate director for further information. Students may opt to enroll in HON 300 (a two-credit elective) to receive dedicated guidance as they prepare the thesis project.

Science Requirement 

• Honors students who do not have a lab science requirement for the major will fulfill the science requirement with HON 225 (Honors Lab Science Topics) OR a course selected from the university’s Scientific Inquiry Lab courses. 
• Honors students in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and College of Communication, students with a BA major in Psychology, and BA students in the School of Music will complete one additional science course chosen from the university’s offerings of Scientific Inquiry (non-lab) or Mathematics and Computing courses.
• BA students in Mathematical Sciences will complete one additional science course chosen from the university's offerings of Scientific Inquiry (non-math.)
• BS students in Mathematical Sciences will complete one Scientific Inquiry Lab course.
• Honors students in the College of Education will complete one Scientific Inquiry Lab (non-Biology) course and one Scientific Inquiry Biology course. HON 225 is not an option for COE students to fulfill the lab science requirement.
• Students in the School of Music (non BA) and the Theatre School will fulfill the science requirement with one course selected from the university’s offerings of Scientific Inquiry (non-lab) courses.

Math Requirement 

• Honors students who do not have a Calculus, Statistics, Business Analytics or Discrete Math requirement for the major are required to take HON 180 or one of the following courses: MAT 135, MAT 137, MAT 242, MAT 150, PSY 240, or SOC 279.
• Honors students in the PAM major in the School of Music will fulfill the Honors math requirement with MAT 130. 

Language Requirement 

• Three courses of intermediate or advanced language study are required for all Honors students except those in the School of Music and The Theatre School, and those with BFA or BSN majors.
• Students whose placement test results are below the intermediate (104) level of their language or who choose to begin a new language must complete at least 16 credit hours of language study; one language course will count as an Honors Approved Elective.  After completion of 16 credit hours of language study, students may apply to waive the remainder of their Honors language requirement.
• Students who place at the advanced level of a language may fulfill the Honors language requirement with either one year of advanced study of that language or one year of a language the student has not previously studied.
• Language majors may fulfill the language requirement with one year of language study, at any level, outside of their major OR three additional Honors Approved Electives.
• Honors students in the College of Education have a one-year (three-course) language requirement. This requirement can be fulfilled through either completion of one year of study of the student's high school language or one year of a new language the student has not yet studied. Students opting to continue their high school language are required to complete a placement test and must begin language study according to their placement.
• NOTE: Language courses numbered 101-103 may initially appear on the DPR in Open Electives, Additional Courses, or Extra Credit courses. Please see an Honors Program advisor for adjustments to the DPR.  

Fine Arts Elective

• BS students in Game Design will fulfill the Fine Arts Elective with SCWR 100.
• Additionally, BS students in Game Design will fulfill the Ethics requirement with FILM 228 or IT 228.

Honors Approved Electives

Approved Electives are chosen in consultation with an Honors advisor to achieve specific academic or professional goals. Courses completed for Study Abroad, 200-300 level courses taken for a minor or second major, or 200-300 level courses taken to pursue a specific area of interest outside of the major can count as Honors Approved Electives. The number of Honors Approved Electives depends on the college and major. Students in the College of Education, the School of Music (except BA students), and the Theatre School do not have Honors Approved Electives.

AP/IB credit for WRD 103 will fulfill an Honors Approved Elective requirement. 

BS students in Game Design will fulfill one Honors Approved Elective with ANI 101.

Experiential Learning

Honors students will fulfill the university’s Experiential Learning (EL) requirement by completing an EL-designated course in the major, as an open elective, as an Honors Approved Elective, or as an Honors core requirement (HON 351). Students in the College of Education, the School of Music, and the Theatre School whose programs meet the university requirement in Experiential Learning will be considered to have met the Honors Program requirement as well.

AP or IB or Transfer Credit will fulfill Honors Core requirements as listed:

• AP/IB Literature credit for ENG 101 or ENG 120 fulfills HON 101
• AP/IB credit for HST 111 or HST 112 or HST 171 fulfills HON 102
• AP/IB credit for BIO 191 or CHE 130 or PHY 150 or ENV 102 fulfills HON 225 and/or the Scientific Inquiry requirement.
• AP/IB credit for CHE 102 or GEO 101 or ENV 202 or MAT 150 or MAT 135 fulfills the Scientific Inquiry requirement.
• AP/IB credit for MAT 242 or MAT 150 or MAT 135 fulfills the HON 180 requirement.
• AP/IB credit for ART 104 or ART 105 fulfills the Fine Arts Elective requirement.
• AP/IB credit for a 104, 105, or 106 language course counts toward the language requirement.
• IB credit for PHL 100 fulfills HON 105
• Transfer credit for WRD 104 fulfills HON 100
• Credit earned in a dual (high school-college) enrollment program will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or higher in HON 100 and HON 110 or HON 111 is required to remain in the Honors Program. A grade of C- or higher is required to pass the following:

Study Abroad

Study Abroad is particularly appropriate for students in the Honors Program and, though not required, is strongly recommended. Honors students interested in Study Abroad should plan to participate during  their sophomore or junior year and should make certain that they have fulfilled appropriate modern language requirements before that point in their undergraduate careers. They should meet with the Honors associate director prior to their departure for pre-approval of course substitutions. Coursework completed abroad may substitute for Honors Approved Electives or selected Honors core courses that are equivalent to the study abroad course.

Honors Advising

All Honors students will work with an Honors advisor for academic planning and to schedule Honors courses in conjunction with their major requirements. As a general rule, Honors students take one or two Honors courses each quarter during their first and second years of study and one or two Honors courses a year in the junior and senior years.

Transfer Honors

Transfer Honors offers students the full benefits of the Honors Program​ with the opportunity to fulfill requirements using courses taken at previous institutions.  For students admitted to Transfer Honors, the Honors curriculum replaces Liberal Studies requirements.  Evaluation of transfer credit toward Honors requirements is done on an individual basis, and specific Honors requirements vary according to a student’s college and major.  

Please note that Transfer Honors is a residential program with most classes offered during the day on the Lincoln Park Campus.  Students in the School of Music, the Theatre School, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies are not eligible for Transfer Honors.

Transfer Honors Requirements

Students who enter Transfer Honors will consult with an Honors Program advisor to determine how transfer credit can apply to the following Honors requirements:

Transfer Honors and the Illinois Articulation Initiative

DePaul participates in the General Education Core Curriculum (GECC) of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI.) Students who have earned an Associate's of Arts or Sciences degree at a participating IAI college or university will complete Experiential Learning and five courses that replace requirements in the Liberal Studies Program:

All Transfer Honors students must complete these five courses regardless of the credit hours transferred in.

WRD 103 Replacement for Students Leaving the Honors Program

For students who withdraw from the Honors Program having completed HON 100, and who do not have AP credit for WRD 103, either WRD 103 or one of the following courses must be taken to fulfill the requirement for WRD 103: 

Graduate Academics

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers a wide range of graduate degree programs and certificates, general academic requirements for which follow.

Master's Programs

For the master’s degree, all programs involve one or more of the following:

1. credit hours,
2. thesis,
3. paper on approved topic,
4. integrating project,
5. final or comprehensive examination, and
6. program time limitation. 

Credit Hours

For the master’s degree, most programs for graduate students require 48 quarter hours of course work. When the program includes a thesis, no more than eight quarter hours of registration in Thesis Research will be counted toward the degree. Specific degree requirements are listed in the departmental and program sections of this Catalog.

Thesis

The University offers the master’s degree both with and without the thesis; however, the thesis is required by some departments. The thesis is limited to the student’s field of specialization and should offer satisfactory evidence of the candidate’s potential for scholarly research.

The student is advised to consult the College Office or its website for information regarding the required format of the thesis and accompanying forms. Responsibility for fulfilling theses requirements lies with the student.

The student, after completing the thesis, will submit it to the director of his or her thesis committee for consideration. When the thesis is fully approved, purged of all errors, and in the correct format, the student must submit an electronic copy to the College Office. The College Office will arrange for the electronic archival of your thesis with the library and your department.

Paper on Approved Topic

The type and length of the paper is determined by the department or program that lists it as a requirement for the master’s degree. The purpose of the paper is to give evidence of the student’s ability to find, select, organize and interpret material in a manner consistent with the standards and practices of the discipline involved. 

Integrating Project

Procedures for such a project are set in advance in each specific case through consultation between the student and the department or program advisor.

Final or Comprehensive Examination

The type and the subject matter of the examination follow the regulations established in the various departments and programs. If the student does not pass the examination, the department or program may grant permission for another examination. The examination may not be repeated until after the next convocation nor may the examination be taken more than twice. 

Program Time Limitation

Graduate students in master’s programs are expected to complete their program degree requirements within a six-year period from the first registration date for a course in the program. When a graduate student fails to finish before the end of the sixth year, the department or program director may recommend, on receipt of the student’s petition, in writing, an extension of time with or without additional courses, examinations, or other conditions. ​

Doctoral Programs

The Doctor of Philosophy, the highest academic degree that DePaul University confers, is offered in the department of Philosophy. The degree shows that the recipient has demonstrated proficiency in a broad area of learning, as well as the potential to explore and advance that field of knowledge by independent research.

Following are the minimum general requirements for all candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the areas of:

1. academic achievement,
2. residence,
3. admission to candidacy,
4. dissertation,
5. final examination and
6. program time limitations.

Additional requirements set by the departments are stated in the departmental sections of this Catalog.

Students should contact the Graduate Office or check its online resources if there are any questions or concerns. 

Academic Achievement

A student will be advised to withdraw from the doctoral program when the department judges that he or she is not maintaining satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 average. A course grade below 2.0 is unsatisfactory and will not be counted toward completing degree requirements. The determination of satisfactory progress is not limited to grades and grade point average, but includes all factors in the student’s performance. 

Residence

At least three consecutive quarters beyond the master’s level must be spent in full-time study at DePaul University. Full-time study is defined as registration for a minimum of eight quarter hours in a quarter. With prior approval of the department, the student may satisfy residency by course work, by participation in seminars, or by research performed off campus. To reflect the diversity of graduate study for the Ph.D. degree at stages other than the residency stage, doctoral candidates are full-time students who are registered for Independent Study (four hours); for Dissertation Research (four hours); or for Candidacy Continuation (non-credit).

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to candidacy implies that the faculty is satisfied the doctoral candidate is sufficiently knowledgeable in his or her area of specialization and in the use of research tools to be able to prepare an acceptable dissertation.

For admission to candidacy the doctoral candidate shall have had the master's degree conferred and shall have completed three consecutive quarters of full-time study beyond the master’s level. Other requirements may include a comprehensive examination, departmental language or allied field study, and/or a dissertation proposal.

The College Office will record the date of admission to candidacy. There is a time limit of four years between admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and admission to candidacy. Once admitted to candidacy, the doctoral candidate must maintain registration in the University in each of the quarters of the academic year until the degree requirements have been completed. Among other courses, the following are appropriate to maintain registration: Independent Study (four hours); Dissertation Research (four hours); or Candidacy Continuation (non-credit). Failure to comply with the policy governing registration in the University, in each of the quarters of the academic year until the degree requirements have been completed may result in dismissal from the doctoral program. Candidacy status may be reinstated only after the student has applied for readmission (see Readmission Procedures).

Dissertation

The doctoral candidate will prepare a dissertation based on his or her research. The purpose of the dissertation is to demonstrate one’s ability to do scholarly work that contributes to the profession and the advancement of knowledge. The candidate will:

1. select a dissertation director;
2. have a topic of the dissertation approved; and
3. form a dissertation committee to help guide the production of the dissertation.

Further details about the dissertation are available from the candidate's department. All doctoral dissertations are to be published through ProQuest and entered into DePaul University’s institutional repository. After all requirements have been completed, the dissertation document has been fully approved, purged of all errors, and in the correct format, the student must submit an electronic PDF copy of the dissertation to the College Office. 

Final Examination

The dissertation is the principal basis of the final examination. After completing the dissertation, and at least eight months after admission to candidacy, candidates should submit a petition for the final examination to their department. The department chairperson notifies the Graduate Office of the date, time and place of the examination and of the names of the members of the examining committee. After the examination, the chair of the committee sends a report of the results, signed by all committee members, to the graduate office. When these steps have been completed, the doctoral candidate becomes eligible for degree conferment at the next convocation.

Program Time Limitations

For graduate students in a doctoral program, the time limits to complete the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree are:

1. between admission to the doctoral program and admission to candidacy: not more than four years; and
2. between admission to candidacy and the final examination: not less than eight months, and not more than five years.

When a graduate student fails to finish before the end of his or her fourth year prior to candidacy or his or her fifth year post candidacy, the department or program director may recommend, on receipt of the student’s petition, in writing, an extension of time with or without additional courses, examinations, or other conditions. ​

Certificates

    Community Development
    Critical Ethnic Studies​
    Digital Humanities
    Emergency Management Administration
    Geographic Information Systems​
    Global Health
    Health Care Administration
    International Studies
    Metropolitan Planning and Development
    Publishing
    Social Research
    Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofits
    Sustainable Urban Food Systems
    Teaching English in Two-Year Colleges
    Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
    Translation and Interpreting
    Women's and Gender Studies

Course work credit leading to a graduate degree program in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences may be double-counted toward ONE approved, paired, graduate certificate program. If a student seeks another (second or more) LAS certificate, and those certificate program requirements are again completely comprised of course work leading to the student’s graduate degree, then the student must take at least two additional courses in order to earn the additional certificate(s).

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Graduate Academic Student Handbook

Admission & Aid

Information about admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is found in the Admission & Aid section of the DePaul website​.

Scholarship Opportunities

Information about the majority of scholarships is found here. 

The College awards a handful of targeted, one-off, and relatively small ($500 - $3000) scholarships annually. Some academic departments have similar scholarships for their eligible majors. All scholarships are managed via Scholarship Connect.

Graduate students may also be eligible for graduate assistantships, which package tuition waivers with a stipend, or full or partial tuition waivers. Contact Graduate Admission (GradDePaul@depaul.edu) or the graduate program of interest for more information about what opportunities exist.

​Double Demon Scholarship

The Double Demon Scholarship is awarded to DePaul alumni and covers 25 percent of tuition for degree, non-degree or select certificate coursework taken at the graduate level.¹ Both full-time and part-time students are eligible and no application is necessary. To learn more, contact the admission office for your college of interest​ (see listing below).

¹

Please note: The Double Demon Scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with other DePaul scholarships, waivers or awards. University employees are eligible for other tuition benefits and are not eligible. The scholarship does not cover coursework from the Center for Professional Education (CPE), the Institute for Professional Development (IPD), coursework in a doctoral program or a master of fine arts (MFA), School of Music, the Theatre School, College of Law and a few other select programs.

Financial Aid

Information about financial aid is found here.

Graduate Admission

Applicants are admitted to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences on the basis of their ability to complete programs of study and research prescribed for the master’s and doctoral degrees. Specifically, admission qualifications are measured by academic criteria. In accord with these criteria, applicants are admitted in one of three major categories: degree-seeking, non-degree-seeking, and student-at-large. 

The admission process begins with an online application, found here.

Degree-Seeking Students

Applicants are admitted as degree-seeking students in either of two ways: full or conditional. 

Full Degree-Seeking Status

The minimum requirements for this status are:

• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited institution. 
• Scholastic achievement in undergraduate studies satisfying all requirements for entering a specific graduate program.
• Submission of all required supporting credentials. 
• Unconditional approval by the department or program director of the  applicant’s proposed course of graduate study. 

Please note these are minimum requirements for full admission. The departmental and program sections of this Catalog provide additional, more specific and selective, criteria for admission to specific programs.

Conditional Degree-Seeking Status

The minimum requirements for this status are:

• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited institution.
• Scholastic achievement in undergraduate studies indicating a capacity to pursue successfully a specific program of graduate study.
• Submission of all required supporting credentials.
• Conditional approval by the department or program director of the applicant’s proposed course of graduate study.

 A conditionally admitted applicant is eligible for reclassification to full, degree-seeking status when the conditions of his or her admission have been satisfied.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

The dean may admit as students those applicants who do not wish to pursue an advanced degree. Non-degree-seeking students may, at some future date, make application to a graduate program, but they are not accorded special consideration for admission. Students should consult the intended degree program's website for information about application requirements.

The minimum requirements for this status are:

• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited institution
• Academic achievement in undergraduate studies indicating a capacity to succeed in graduate course work (minimum of 2.50/4.00)
• Submission of official transcript from bachelor's degree granting college or university
• Approval by the director of graduate admission.

Students admitted as non-degree graduate students are eligible to enroll in graduate-level courses only.

When such students apply to a graduate program, the departmental or program director of their specific graduate course of study may recommend, in writing, to the dean that a maximum of three courses (12 quarter hours) completed by the student under the non-degree-seeking status be counted toward fulfillment of the advanced degree requirements.

Combined Programs

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences students can apply to earn credit toward select DePaul graduate programs while undergraduates. In these programs, undergraduates take three graduate courses their senior year and complete a master's degree in a minimum of one additional year. (There is a "3+3" BA/JD program for incoming first-year students in certain majors, also.) Further information about these combined programs can be found within specific program descriptions in this Catalog.

Special Programs

Language for Liberal Studies Option

The Language for Liberal Studies Option (LLS), formerly known as the Modern Language Option/MLO, is available to all undergraduate students who wish to study a language beyond the level required for their degree.*

Students who choose the LLS may use a sequence of three courses in the same language to replace three learning domain courses.

These three course substitutions must be made in three different domains, and any substitutions must be consistent with the principle that students complete at least one course in each learning domain.

LLS substitutions may not be used in the Scientific Inquiry-Lab, Scientific Inquiry-Science as a Way of Knowing, or the Math and Computing requirements.

Students with a primary major in a modern language may apply the LLS to a three-course sequence in an additional language at any level. Students with a secondary major in a modern language may apply the LLS to any three-course language sequence beyond the language requirement associated with their primary major. This three-course sequence can be either in the language of their secondary major or in an additional language.

*Students with a two-year language requirement can use the LLS after they've completed their college's Modern Language Requirement. BFA students should speak to their academic advisor about using the LLS. Students in the University Honors Program are not eligible for the LLS.

Pre-Law Study

The Association of American Law Schools does not consider it appropriate to prescribe certain undergraduate degree programs for students who are planning to study law at the professional level. The Association does, however, consider certain skills and knowledge essential for later success in law and appropriate for study on the undergraduate level.

Pre-law study in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences entails advanced course work that further develops the capacities and skills essential for satisfactory performance in law school. Specifically, pre-law study sharpens:

1. the ability to use the English language skillfully and effectively in oral and written advocacy situations;
2. the power to think clearly, critically, and independently in situations requiring problem-solving ability and sound judgment; and
3. the ability to use and understand statistical calculations.

Moreover, pre-law study is intended to promote an understanding of the psychological processes, economic systems, political organizations, and social structures essential to the study and practice of law. Students who are considering applying to law school should fulfill their open elective requirements with challenging, upper-level courses that expand the knowledge areas and skills mentioned above.

Admission to law school is based on scores achieved on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), collegiate performance, extracurricular activities, work experience, and letters of recommendation.

Students who want to prepare for law school should, whatever their academic major, consult with Prof. David Williams (david.williams@depaul.edu) in the Department of Political Science, or contact the Department of History (historyadvising@depaul.edu), where there is a pre-law concentration in the History major.

Study Abroad

A study abroad experience is an important part of a liberal education. The opportunity to live, study, and work with people from around the world provides students with a way to not only gain international competence and skills, but also helps them to more clearly understand their own identities and agency within a global context. Study Abroad programs are designed to emphasize social, political, historical, and cultural understanding through immersion in other cultures and societies.

Program lengths range from one year to one week. In traditional programs lasting one quarter or more, students live and take courses on site. Short-term programs are topic-focused tours led by DePaul faculty exploring specific aspects and issues of a country or society. These programs typically last 2-3 weeks and are offered during breaks between terms. First Year Abroad programs are for first-year students and combine on-campus study of a location prior to a one-week trip to that area.

Program fees ordinarily cover local transportation associated with course excursions, accommodations, and some meals. Short-term program fees also cover round-trip airfare. In addition students pay regular DePaul tuition for the credit received while abroad.

Courses taken through the Study Abroad Program may be used to fulfill Liberal Studies domain requirements (including experiential learning), modern language requirements, major field requirements, or open electives.

Please visit the Study Abroad Program​ website for current offerings.

TEACH Program

This program provides students the opportunity to complete in five years an undergraduate degree in a core arts and sciences major and a Master’s of Education degree with State of Illinois secondary education teaching certification in a content area related to their major. As a combined degree program of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the College of Education, the program is collaboratively developed, governed, and taught by faculty from both units.

Students may apply to the Program during the spring of their junior year. They must complete the Junior Year Experiential Learning course TCH 320, and meet other application criteria prior to applying; these include completion of at least 16 hours at DePaul and a 3.0 GPA. During their Senior Year, students are required to complete a program capstone course and three 400-level courses that count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Master’s year comprises teacher-preparation coursework that culminates with student teaching during Spring quarter. Upon graduation and the fulfilling of State of Illinois Certification requirements (which may require some additional course work in the student’s major and related fields), students are eligible to be certified to teach English, History, or Social Science at the 6th-12th grade levels.

A full description of the Program can be found in the College of Education graduate course catalog.

3+3 BA+JD Program

In the 3+3 BA+JD Program, high-achieving first-year undergraduate students are admitted simultaneously to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the College of Law. Students complete their first three years in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and their final three years in the College of Law. Students receive the Bachelor of Arts degree after successful completion of their first year of law school. Throughout the program, BA+JD students meet regularly with advisors in both Colleges and have access to a variety of resources to ensure their success.

Key Program Features

• Students earn a law degree (Juris Doctor) in a total of six years (three years undergraduate and three years in law school).
• Students benefit from new curricular offerings and collaborative activities created to prepare them for law school.
• Students receive early (conditional) admission to the College of Law.
• Credits earned in the first year of law school apply toward the BA degree.
• Students may opt out of the College of Law segment of the program and continue in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences during their fourth year.
• If students withdraw after the first semester in the College of Law, they return to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences for the winter quarter.

Program Requirements

In order to maintain status in the program, students must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completing their undergraduate coursework in three years, including meeting the Modern Language Requirement and necessary Liberal Studies Program or Honors Program requirements. Students must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.70 by the end of their second year of study and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.70 in their third and final year of undergraduate study.

In addition, students must complete a series of two-credit courses, taught by College of Law faculty, prior to matriculation in the College of Law. They are designed to help students understand many aspects of the legal system as well as to complement their undergraduate course of study. The courses are as follows:

In order to matriculate in the College of Law, students will be required to register with the Law School Admissions Council, submit the College of Law’s online application, comply with all character and fitness requirements for admission, and submit an LSAT score. The activities should be completed no later than the end of the Autumn Quarter of the participant’s third undergraduate year. The LSAT score will only be used for consideration of merit scholarships; it will not be a factor in the admission of the participant to the program.​​

Participating Majors

The BA+JD Program is available for students pursuing the following majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences:

• African and Black Diaspora Studies
• Anthropology 
• Arabic Studies
• Art, Media, and Design
• Chinese Studies
• Criminology
• Economics
• English
• French
• Geography
• German
• History
• History of Art and Architecture
• International Studies
• Italian
• Islamic World Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Latin American and Latino Studies
• Peace, Justice and Conflict Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Public Policy Studies
• Religious Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse

For admission requirements and information, contact the Office of Admission.