Legal studies is a unique educational field that explores the complex workings of the legal system. It covers a wide range of subjects, such as business law and compliance, general legal studies, health law, policy, and management, and it also explores the methods, theories, and principles of law.
To better understand why legal studies are so critical, our article will explore the reasons for considering a career path in legal studies and introduce specific areas of study within legal studies.
Legal studies prepare students for legal careers or other jobs involving legal issues, such as those who work in real estate, human resources, or construction. For instance, a legal studies degree can help real estate agents understand local regulations, legal issues, paperwork, and how to handle contract negotiations and property disputes. The discipline examines the practical application of laws that affect different parts of society, including government, business, culture, and criminal justice.
Although some students may decide to continue their legal education after earning a legal studies degree, one can obtain many unique careers without further legal education. For example, graduates can develop legal careers as paralegals, legal secretaries, legal consultants, and mediators, opening up career advancement and growth opportunities. In fact, as of March 2023, Payscale data shows that individuals with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies earn an average annual salary of $70,000. Professionals with a master's degree also typically earn around $70,000 annually. However, it is important to note that salaries vary widely based on experience level, industry, and location.
In addition, a legal studies degree can also train professionals to use legal principles, communication skills, critical thinking, and analytical thinking in their chosen career path. This can allow students to work in legal administration, business operations, and law-related fields like insurance, social security, and social services.
Legal studies offer a wide range of educational opportunities, including associate's degrees, undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and certificates.
A legal studies degree caters to students interested in law but may need more time to be ready to pursue a more technical legal career. For instance, students in an associate degree program in legal studies can anticipate exploring subjects often not extensively covered in more technical pre-law paths. These subjects may include the philosophy of law, legal history, and alternative legal systems and traditions.
However, obtaining an associate degree in legal studies opens doors to many career opportunities. Graduates can pursue roles as paralegals, legal assistants, probation officers, and law librarians. Additionally, this degree can be a launching pad for further education in law, entering the political arena, or pursuing a judicial career.
Associate programs generally require 60 credits and involve two years of full-time study. These programs may also cover various subjects, including general education courses and fundamental legal topics such as administrative law and legal writing.
Undergraduate degrees often take four years and give students an in-depth understanding of advanced legal topics, including criminal law, employment law, and intellectual property. These programs may also emphasize the importance of participating in internships to gain practical legal experience.
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in legal studies may also be able to obtain a concentration in business law, criminal law, or legal data analytics while taking classes such as law and the legal system, legal research, criminal procedure, administrative law, and civil practice and procedure. For further information about these programs, check out institutions such as Liberty University and Purdue Global.
Although obtaining a master's degree in legal studies does not allow individuals to practice law, it provides students with a strong foundation for pursuing specialized and high-level positions within the legal field, such as paralegals, trial consultants, and legal assistants.
Master's programs in legal studies typically include around 40 hours of credits and require one to two years of full-time study to complete. In some instances, programs with a more practical orientation may require students to fulfill an experience requirement involving hands-on work at a law enforcement agency or law firm to gain practical skills and real-world experience. To learn more about these programs, look at schools such as Arizona State University or the University of Miami.
A post-baccalaureate legal studies certificate program is intended for individuals who have already completed a bachelor's degree and want to pursue a career in law. It is tailored to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the legal profession. This program often combines theoretical concepts with practical application, empowering students to embark on diverse career paths in corporate law, law firms, the judiciary, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
In an undergraduate legal studies program, students can expect to take many subjects, encompassing law-related courses, general academic requirements, and elective options. Some of the foundational courses typically offered in such programs include:
provides students with the skills to comprehend legal documents and undertake comprehensive legal research, critical for success in the legal profession.
provides students with an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system and the laws that govern it, including the processes and procedures involved.
enables students to explore and assess the impact of public policy on the legal system, examining how legislative and governmental decisions shape and influence the legal practice.
focuses on the legal intricacies of business environments, including contract issues, regulatory compliance, and other legal considerations.
is a hands-on course in which students engage in simulated court proceedings, work on their practical skills, and gain valuable experience in legal argumentation and debate.
Students taking a legal studies program can develop various critical skills that can help them in the future, including:
Students will learn critical thinking skills, including how to analyze problems, evaluate and identify solutions, determine which legal areas are relevant to a specific situation, apply recognized legal authority to specific cases, and analyze factual situations to determine when it is appropriate to apply exceptions to legal rules.
Legal studies will help students with their legal research and writing skills, which involve:
Preparing and carrying out legal research plans
Analyzing key facts in a situation
Locating regulations, statutes, provisions, and court cases
Using secondary sources to explain the law
Write in a way that conveys the legal theory in a concise and clear manner
Read and apply court opinions to the fact situation presented
Prepare memorandums or other documentation to report legal research findings
A legal studies program is designed to provide students with practical, hands-on learning experiences. Through this program, students explore a wide range of legal issues and gain insight into the inner workings of legal processes. Not only do you learn about legal proceedings, but you also develop an understanding of the diverse roles played by professionals within the legal system.
When students complete a legal studies degree, there is the opportunity to pursue a variety of career paths:
A paralegal is a legal professional who operates under the direction of an attorney, providing crucial assistance across a broad spectrum of tasks. This can include conducting in-depth legal research, drafting documents such as contracts and briefs, and ensuring the organization and maintenance of case files. Learn more about what a typical day in the life of a paralegal consists of.
A legal assistant is a skilled professional who provides essential administrative and legal support to lawyers and law firms, helping to ensure that legal proceedings run smoothly and efficiently. While their responsibilities are similar to those of a paralegal, they do vary. For instance, while paralegals focus more on legal obligations and research to support lawyers, legal assistants may manage client billing, maintain filing systems, and schedule appointments.
Some individuals who have completed a legal studies degree may pursue a career as a law enforcement officer. In contrast, others might choose roles within different aspects of the criminal justice system. Law enforcement officers who are responsible for investigating crimes should have a thorough understanding of the legal complexities intertwined with their profession. This understanding is needed to effectively perform their duties while ensuring that their decisions are in line with the law.
Upon completing their legal studies degree, students may choose to work as compliance officers at banks and financial institutions, ensuring that these organizations adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. Another potential career path is in human resources, where you can use your knowledge of legal issues to address employment matters within companies. Furthermore, you also have the opportunity to take on public policy roles, potentially influencing legislation and regulations or pursuing careers in various business fields.
The legal studies program can also be a strong foundation for those considering further education in law school.
Legal studies programs are designed to prepare students for careers where they can assist other professionals with legal processes. These degrees not only qualify students for immediate employment but also prepare graduates for advanced law programs, such as JD programs or LLM programs, necessary for careers as lawyers and judges. For these reasons, it is not uncommon for professionals to switch careers to legal studies.
For instance, administrative assistants may find transitioning into a legal studies career natural. Earning a degree in legal studies may be optional for entry-level positions such as bookkeepers, clerks, and legal assistants. However, individuals may need a relevant associate’s or bachelor's degree for more technical roles, such as paralegals.
On the other hand, paralegals who want to move into higher-level positions, such as becoming lawyers, may need to continue their education by enrolling in law school, earning a law degree, and passing the bar before they can practice law. Individuals should research the minimum requirements for their target jobs to ensure they gain the appropriate qualifications.
Legal studies graduates not only have a wide range of career opportunities to choose from but can also work across many different industries and organizations, including:
Law Firms: These are the classic employers for legal professionals where graduates can work in various areas of law, such as corporate law, family law, criminal law, and more.
Corporate Legal Departments: Many businesses have in-house legal teams to handle legal matters, including contract drafting, compliance issues, and regulatory matters.
Government Agencies: Graduates can find roles in public administration, working in areas such as policy development, regulatory compliance, or law enforcement.
Non-Profit Organizations: Many non-profits require their employees to have legal knowledge for advocacy work, public policy development, and navigating legal issues related to their activities.
Educational Institutions: Graduates can pursue academic roles such as teaching law or administrative positions within universities and colleges.
When choosing the most suitable legal studies program, students need to take various factors into account:
Tuition: Evaluate the overall cost of the program, including tuition fees, living expenses, and any additional costs.
Learning style: Determine whether the program's teaching methods and academic environment align with your preferred learning style and educational goals.
Schedule: Consider the program's class schedules and flexibility to ensure it fits your commitments and obligations.
Accreditation of the institution: Verify that the institution offering the program is accredited by the appropriate accrediting bodies to ensure the quality and validity of the education provided.
Faculty experience: Research the qualifications of the faculty members to gauge the level of support and guidance available throughout the program.
Available resources for students: Explore the resources and support services offered by the institution, such as libraries, career counseling, internships, and networking opportunities, to enrich the learning experience and enhance future career prospects.
Holding a degree in legal studies provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for numerous careers in the public and private sectors. Moreover, individuals with legal studies degrees can find rewarding jobs within companies’ legal departments, law firms, governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the police force.
By exploring available programs, seeking additional information, and carefully evaluating the options, individuals can identify the legal studies program that aligns with their career goals and interests.