Major in Legal Studies

Students may seek an academic major in legal studies.

The legal studies program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles necessary to research and produce legal information and documents in law-related environments. Focus is on fundamental legal knowledge, skills, and ethical principles. The curriculum addresses the organization, function, and processes of the lawmaking institutions in the American legal system, as well as the role of the paralegal in the legal system and the governing rules of legal ethics. It emphasizes legal analysis, legal writing and drafting, legal research, and computer competence in the legal environment. The major in legal studies provides a solid foundation for challenging paralegal work in various legal settings as well as for further education in a variety of fields.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in legal studies will be able to

• Conduct research using appropriate resources to identify relevant, current legal authority.
• Draft writings that reflect critical thinking and legal reasoning to inform, advocate, or persuade on legal matters.
• Use interpersonal and leadership skills to be a cooperative and self-reliant member of a legal team.
• Apply knowledge of legal systems, concepts, and methodologies to efficiently and ethically support the resolution of legal disputes.
• Gather relevant information and properly complete a wide variety of forms and documents used in private practice and government service.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in legal studies requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Legal Studies Major

Coursework for a major in legal studies includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (12 credits): LGST 101, 200, 201, and 204
• Required gateway skills course (3 credits): LGST 300 and 301
• Substantive and procedural foundation courses (9 credits): Chosen from LGST 312, 320, 322, 325, 330, and 340
• Substantive law course (3 credits): LGST 315, 316, 327, 335, 343, 350, 411, 415, 420, 442, or 450 or any three 1-credit LGST courses
• Senior experience course (3 credits): LGST 425, 460, 470, or 486A/B

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in legal studies. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Legal Studies Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.                 

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)  
  
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)        
  
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)  
  
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course               

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits) 

• PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
  or a foreign language course or other arts and humanities course
• GVPT 170 American Government (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course
• Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
  and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
  or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
  or other communications/writing course 
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software 
• CCJS 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
  or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits) 

• HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
  or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)
  or WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing or other communication, writing, or speech course
• LGST 101 Introduction to Law (3) 
  
• LGST 200 Techniques of Legal Research (3) 
  
• LGST 201 Legal Writing (3) 
  
• LGST 204 Legal Ethics (3) 
  
• CMIS 111 Social Networking and Cybersecurity Best Practices (3)
  or other interdisciplinary issues/computing course               

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses) 

• WRTG 394 Advanced Business Writing (3)
  or other communications/upper-level advanced writing course
  
• LGST 300 Advanced Legal Research and Analysis (3)
  
• LGST 301 Advaned Legal Writing (3)
• LGST 312 Torts (3)
  or other substantive and procedural foundation course for the major 
  
• LGST 320 Criminal Law and Procedures (3)
  or other substantive and procedural foundation course for the major
• LGST 325 Litigation (3)
  or other substantive and procedural foundation course for the major
• LGST 450 Bankruptcy Law (3)
  or other substantive law course

Senior Experience Course for the Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits) 

• LGST 425 Advanced Advocacy (3)
  or other senior experience course               

Minor and/or Elective Courses (43)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Total credits for BS in legal studies: 120

• Legal Studies Degree Planning Worksheet