Legal Studies Program Requirements for 2024-2025

B.A. in Legal Studies

All courses which may be applied to the legal studies major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Requirements

Required Courses – 24 credits

  • ECON 250 – Law and Economics (3)
  • ENGL 271 – Introduction to Legal Writing (3)
  • POSC 210 – P3 Law, Politics, and Society (3)
  • POSC 212 – Legal Research and Analysis (3)
  • Choose ONE:
    • POSC 252 – Theories of Law (3)
    • PHIL 260C – P3 The Philosophy of Law (3)
  • Choose ONE:
    • POSC 325 – Constitutional Law (3)
    • POSC 398 – Special Topics in Legal Studies (3)
  • POSC 355 – Issues in Lawyering (3)
  • POSC 495 – Internship (3)

Electives – 12 credits

Choose FOUR electives from the list below. At least one of which must at the 300 level or above.

  • COMM 346 – Media Law and Ethics (3)
  • ENGL 306 – Law & Literature (3)
  • PHIL 260C – The Philosophy of Law (3)
  • PHIL 340 – Philosophy and Jurisprudence (3)
  • POSC 217 – The American Jury (3)
  • POSC 252 – Theories of Law (3)
  • POSC 254 – Criminal Courts and Trials (3)
  • POSC 267 – Foundations of U.S. Law (3)
  • POSC 325 – Constitutional Law (3)
  • POSC 348  – Environmental Law (3)
  • POSC 326 – Judicial Behavior (3)
  • POSC 398 – Special Topics in Legal Studies (3)
  • SPST 240 – Sport Law (3)
  • ECON 221 – SQ Statistics (3)

Total: 36 credits

Note: Course substitutions for the legal studies major can be made only after consultation with and approval of the Chair of the Division of Social Sciences.

3+3  Legal Education Admission Program (LEAP)

Legal Studies majors interested in the 3+3 Legal Education Admission Program should refer to the Pre-law Experience section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Upon acceptance into the program and in consultation with a legal studies advisor, LEAP students complete the following requirements for legal studies:

Requirements

Required Courses – 21 credits

  • ECON 250 – Law and Economics (3)
  • ENGL 271 – Introduction to Legal Writing (3)
  • POSC 210 – P3 Law, Politics, and Society (3)
  • POSC 212 – Legal Research and Analysis (3)
  • Choose ONE:
    • POSC 252 – Theories of Law (3)
    • PHIL 260C – P3 The Philosophy of Law (3)
  • POSC 355 – Issues in Lawyering (3)
  • Choose ONE:
    • POSC 495 – Internship (3)
    • 300 level POSC elective (3)  (choose from: POSC 325, 326, 348 or 398)

Law School Transfer Credits – 15 credits

  • 15 law school credits in transfer (grades of "C" or higher)

Total: 36 credits

Note: Course substitutions for the legal studies major can be made only after consultation with and approval of the Chair of the Division of Social Sciences.

Minor in Legal Studies

A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.

Requirements

  • ENGL 271 – Introduction to Legal Writing (3)
  • POSC 210 – P3 Law, Politics, and Society (3)
  • POSC 212 – Legal Research and Analysis (3)
  • Choose ONE:
    • POSC 252 – Theories of Law (3)
    • PHIL 260 – P3 The Philosophy of Law (3)
  • Choose ONE:
    • POSC 325 – Constitutional Law (3)
    • POSC 398 – Special Topics in Legal Studies (3)
  • POSC 355 – Issues in Lawyering (3)

Total: 18 credits

Note: No more than one course taken to meet a major requirement may also be applied to the legal studies minor.

Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ.