A legal studies bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree for those who want a career in the legal field but aren’t sure they want to commit to the time and expense of formal law school. You should think about pursuing a bachelor’s degree in legal studies if you’re looking at a law career that won’t include litigation, and if you want a job in the legal system that doesn’t require taking the bar exam.
A bachelor’s degree in legal studies is a four-year degree that gives you a solid foundation in legal knowledge and the ability to specialize in a particular area of law. A four-year legal studies degree includes general education classes as well as legal studies courses.
A legal studies degree gives you basic legal concepts like legal writing, legal research, policy, ethics, and professional responsibility. You will also receive core legal courses like:
A bachelor’s degree can be a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), depending on the college. In some disciplines, a B.A. provides a multidisciplinary approach to the subject, and there is a focus on critical thinking and research skills. A B.S. focuses on the technical aspects of a subject, with an emphasis on analysis and practical skills.
In law practice, there is less difference between a B.S. and a B.A. than in business or finance. According to USC’s Gould School of Law, students getting a legal studies degree should consider the courses that are offered rather than the degree itself.
A legal studies major is a good starting point for a student who wants to pursue a career in law. A B.A. or B.S. in legal studies gives you the basis to go in almost any direction.
If you want to work immediately after leaving college, a four-year degree opens doors in the legal arena, government, public policy, and social services. A bachelor’s degree is essential for going forward to law school, as no law school will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree.
Students currently working in the legal field can advance their careers with a bachelor’s degree thanks to online courses.
Obtaining your bachelor’s degree in legal studies can open opportunities in law firms, government positions, corporate and business arenas, and more. If you want to expand into education, a bachelor’s degree is necessary for professors and instructors.
For those already working in the legal field, a bachelor’s degree improves your employability and gives you an edge over others in the job market. You can specialize within an area of law, such as family law or bankruptcy.
In some areas, a bachelor’s can restrict your advancement. In the education field, for instance, a bachelor’s is not sufficient for a professorship—you may need a master’s degree or higher to teach at the college level.
If you plan to practice law, you will need to continue your studies and obtain a law degree. A bachelor’s degree is not sufficient to take the bar exam or become an attorney.
Every school has a different course load for its bachelor’s degree program. Some schools have specializations; in your first year, you will most likely take core courses. In your second year, you’ll take classes related to your chosen specialization.Since a bachelor’s is a general education degree, you must take at least two years of foundational classes like English, biology, math, and history.
Your core courses will include some or all these kinds of classes:
Overview of the American legal system, state and federal judiciary, and court divisions and jurisdictions. Intro to Law classes may explain how to do basic citations and use online research tools like Lexis and Westlaw.
Legal research is the core of every law-related job. Translating legal jargon and terminology into written documents is essential for legal professionals. Legal writing courses teach basic techniques for finding legal topics and drafting memos, briefs, and other essential writings.
The U.S. Constitution is the basis for all American jurisprudence. Constitutional law courses explain the key articles and amendments of the Constitution, what powers are given to the states, and how the Constitution limits federal control over the state courts.
Each state has its own set of penal codes. Criminal law classes offer a broad overview of the rules of evidence and the foundations of civil liberties as they apply to criminal procedure.
For legal professionals, knowing what you can and cannot do is vital to avoid sanctions or contempt charges. Learn what attorneys and paralegals are allowed to do and what constitutes improper practice of law.
Specializations and Electives:
Later in your classes, you will be able to take specializations and electives to fine-tune your degree. Electives in the bachelor’s degree can include:
College | Degrees | Graduation Requirements | Tuition* |
B.A. and B.S. degrees. | 120 units, 33 required units, 46 elective units. | $499 per credit. | |
B.A. in Law. Allows students to continue directly into law school. | 120 credits. | Part-time $450 per credit hour. Full-time $395 per credit hour. |
College | Degrees | Graduation Requirements | Tuition* |
B.S. degree. Students may take up to 7 years to complete the degree. | 120 credits, 42 general ed credits, 12 paralegal credits, and at least 36 legal studies credits. | $7995 per academic year, plus books and supplies. Fully online. | |
B.S. degree. | 120 credit hours, 39-42 general ed credits, 48 major credits, 30-33 electives. | Full-time $390 per credit.
Part-time $455 per credit. | |
B.S. in Legal Support and Services. | 180 quarter credits, 33 courses in major, remainder in general ed and electives. | $371 per credit. |
*As of December 2024
Every school has its own admissions requirements. Always contact the school for current requirements and prerequisites. You may also be able to transfer some classes, such as AP high school classes and community college credits, which helps reduce the number of general education classes you need.
However, there are some things all colleges require for admissions:
Official transcripts must be mailed or emailed from your high school. Admissions offices usually have a form to send or email to your high school
If you have attended more than one college, you’ll need to send all your transcripts.
You may need to provide a Common Application Secondary School Report to prove competency in the curriculum.
such as SAT/ACT scores unless they are attached to your transcripts.
You may need to provide a TOEFL or alternate test of competency in English.
Some schools ask for letters of recommendation, a personal statement, or other admission requirements. If so, take time to review what they are asking for. If a school wants a personal statement, they expect an essay about why you want a bachelor’s degree, what you plan to do with your career, and what you’ve done in the legal field up to now.
Letters of recommendation should highlight your work experience in the field or extraordinary achievements in scholastics or other areas. If the school does not ask for these items,don’t send them. Just like job applications, the admissions office gets dozens or even hundreds of applicants. They do not appreciate piles of unwanted paperwork.
Often certified legal professionals who handle legal research and writing for the attorney. They may take supporting roles in law firms and write briefs and legal memos, gather discovery, and assemble case files. Paralegals also do legal work in corporations and insurance companies.
Financial, healthcare, and corporate businesses must follow complex government regulations and produce monthly or quarterly compliance reports. Compliance officers also stay current on changing regulations and ensure the company personnel is updated on changes within the industry.
These individuals maintain the legal aspects of employment policies, including regulatory and insurance claims, civil rights, and EEOC and DEI claims.
Analysts work at all levels of government, nonprofit, and private agencies. Businesses must know how their policies and activities interact with state and federal laws and with the communities they serve.
When law and social services interact, there is a legal professional there to ensure that both sides are compliant with the law and civil rights.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job market for paralegals and legal assistants has declined recently, possibly due to the rise of AI technology. However, the outlook for compliance officers remains stable — on track with the growth rate for all occupations. That said, you should not spend four years on a degree just because the current job market is good or bad.
Balance the salary you can expect with a career track you enjoy and plan to spend many years developing and advancing. You will find the balance much more enjoyable (this is coming from personal knowledge).
Some current salaries for popular legal careers, according toIndeed include:
Up to $71,600 per year, depending on the company.
Up to $55,000 per year, depending on the practice area and experience.
Up to $58,900 per year, depending on the type of work and agency. Government workers may make less per year but have much better benefits.
Sworn officers average $40,000-50,000 per year, but parole and probation officers, support staff, and investigators may make considerably more.
The job outlook within the legal profession is always good. Once you have obtained your degree, the career counselor with the college can help you look for other alternatives in your chosen field.
Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree, you can continue your education with a juris doctor (J.D.) or LL.M. (master of law). Some colleges may have programs that transfer directly to the law school, such as USC’s Gould School of Law.
Certifications and Specializations:
A certification is given by a professional organization after a member has demonstrated they meet the requirements of the certifying organization. Usually, the member must pass an exam, maintain continuing legal education (CLE), and adhere to a code of ethics.
The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) maintains a membership roster and offers a Certified Paralegal (CP) designation for members who pass its exam. Other organizations include
The Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) has a similar certification for compliance officers. Once you’ve completed your degree, you should consider membership in a professional organization and certification with their agency.
As the table above shows, undergraduate degrees can be expensive. You can expect to pay $6,000-7,000 per semester, and it is not cheaper to take courses online than in person.
Four-year degrees include general education classes. It may be possible to take these at a less expensive local college. If you do this, be sure you take transferable units, so you don’t have to retake classes. Ask the admissions office about what units transfer.
All schools include a FAFSA application for student loans. Consider carefully when applying for a federal loan. Remember that these loans must be paid back and are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. On the other hand, they have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment plans than bank loans.
If you are a first-time college student, you can qualify for federal grants such as the Pell Grant; these do not need to be repaid. Scholarships, state grants, and employer-paid tuition reimbursements are also available.
After this summary of a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, you should ask yourself if you want a degree in legal studies. Consider these self-assessment questions carefully:
Do you want the information and knowledge that you will obtain with a four-year degree in law? Do you plan to enter a career where knowing legal information is essential to advancing your opportunities?
You must like reading and writing and be good at research before you enter the legal profession. If you already know you dislike reading, you can’t learn it while you’re in school. Legal reading is fascinating but can be dry.
Ask some of your co-workers if they have a degree, or if a degree would have helped them. Talk to HR and see if a four-year degree will further your career goals.
If you’re thinking about law school, then a B.A. or a B.S. is a must.
You must also think about the time and financial commitment. If you’re working now, you may need to take classes part-time. College is expensive, even with financial aid. If you get a student loan, it must be paid back. Consider your long-term goals to decide if the degree is a good career fit before making a legal studies degree decision.
Some common questions everyone has about the legal studies field in general are answered here.
You can get many jobs in the legal field such as paralegal or compliance officer. You can also continue with your studies and obtain a master’s degree or apply to law school.
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree, so it will take you at least four years unless you are an unusually dedicated student and take more than the recommended number of classes per term. However, some colleges let you take as few as one course per term and give you up to seven years to finish your degree.
Not just good preparation, a bachelor’s degree is a requirement for law school. You cannot apply to an accredited law school without a four-year degree.
Certainly. Most colleges now offer fully online degree programs. Hybrid and in-person alternatives are also available.
If you’re interested in a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, the first step is contacting the colleges for information about applications, deadlines, and financial assistance. You should start with the colleges listed here and do your own research for other schools that might have degree programs that interest you.
Whether you’re considering a future in law, or you already have a career in the legal field, your next step begins with contacting the college to start your bachelor in legal studies class.