Best Bachelor's in Legal Studies Programs
Updated August 29, 2023
Legal studies programs give students a foundational understanding of the law and prepares them for law-related careers. A bachelor's degree in legal studies typically takes four years to complete. Some schools offer BA-to-JD programs conferring a legal studies bachelor's degree and a law degree in six years. Besides law school, legal studies degree graduates may pursue positions as arbitrators and mediators, paralegals and legal assistants, trial consultants, and court reporters.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in legal occupations will grow 5% between 2019-2029, faster than the average rate. Legal occupations promise strong earning potential with a median annual salary of $81,820.
Legal studies program admission requirements include a high school or GED diploma, a competitive GPA, and satisfactory test scores. Many programs and schools have adopted a test optional policy through all 2021 admissions cycles.
Featured Online Legal Studies Programs
What Can I Do With a Legal Studies Degree?
Legal studies program graduates choose from various career paths available to them. Many legal studies degrees prepare students for law school or an entry-level law-related career. An interdisciplinary field, legal studies draws on sociology, criminology, history, political science, and philosophy.
A bachelor's degree in legal studies may include law school preparation, such as application assistance, advising, and internship opportunities at local law offices. Alternatively, graduates may pursue jobs as mediators, court reporters, file clerks, or paralegals and legal assistants. Most of these entry-level positions require a bachelor's or associate degree.
A degree demonstrating an interest in and dedication to the study of law can distinguish candidates for non-lawyer legal positions, giving legal studies program graduates an advantage. Students who start working upon graduation can always decide to pursue a law degree after gaining a few years of experience.
What Are the Requirements for a Legal Studies Program?
Most legal studies degrees require 120 credits and take four years to complete. Courses cover topics such as criminal law, law and society, and civil practice and procedure. Coursework also includes trial advocacy and rhetoric and the law.
To gain admission to legal studies programs, candidates must hold a high school or GED diploma, along with a competitive GPA and satisfactory test scores. Other application requirements may include a personal essay and recommendation letters.
To graduate, learners must complete all the degree requirements while maintaining a minimum GPA. Some legal studies programs require a senior capstone, internship, or honors thesis. Prospective students should consult an advisor for a given program's specific requirements.
FAQ About Legal Study Programs
Is legal studies the same as pre-law?
Yes and no. Schools typically offer legal studies as a major, while pre-law indicates an intention to pursue law school upon graduation. Not all pre-law students will major in legal studies, but legal studies students might choose pre-law.
What bachelor's degree do you need to become a lawyer?
Law schools do not necessarily require a bachelor's degree in particular disciplines. Pre-law students generally benefit from a liberal arts education emphasizing skills such as logic and reasoning, effective communication, and research methods.
What can you do with a bachelor's in legal studies?
Legal studies bachelor's degree-holders can pursue law school or gain employment in multiple legal support services.
What are the best states for lawyers?
States with the highest employment of lawyers include California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Illinois.
Courses in a Legal Studies Program
Legal studies programs provide an understanding of the law and the U.S. legal system. Students learn the skills necessary to support the functioning of this system. Through required courses, enrollees develop legal procedure knowledge and the research skills necessary to discover specific information related to cases, statutes, or a legal topic.
Some programs allow learners to tailor their electives to a specific concentration area. For instance, students interested in criminal justice may take courses related to criminal law, crime and society, and criminology.
The list below provides an overview of courses found in many legal studies programs. Not all programs offer these courses, but we have provided a representative sample.
Best Bachelor's in Legal Studies Programs
Orlando, FL
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
The University of Central Florida offers a bachelor's degree in legal studies that prepares students for law school or other law-related careers. Students work with faculty with degrees from American Bar Association-approved law schools and experience practicing law. Students can choose between pursuing a BA or BS in legal studies on campus or entirely online.
The 120-credit legal studies program takes four years to complete. Students must complete 33 major credits at UCF and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Core courses cover topics such as law and the legal system, legal research, and legal writing. Elective courses include the law of torts, criminal law, and trial advocacy. Other classes cover law and emotion, and law and human behavior. Students also complete a capstone experience or internship.
Applicants need a high school or GED equivalent and adequate test scores.
UCF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
Keiser University offers a bachelor's degree in legal studies designed for students pursuing careers in law or law-related fields. Through the program, students learn the skills necessary to work in a law office and how law impacts other fields.
The 120-credit legal studies degree takes 3-4 years to complete. Students take courses such as criminal law, contracts, civil litigation, torts, and family law. Keiser offers a law office management concentration, which trains students for paralegal and law office manager positions.
Applicants must provide verification of high school graduation or the completion of a GED credential. Students can easily transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions provided they earned a "C" grade or higher in the course. Students must complete their degree's final 25% at Keiser.
Keiser University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tampa, FL
Bachelor's with a Pre-Law track
University of South Florida allows students of all majors to participate in the pre-law track through the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies. The program does not confer a major, minor, or certificate. It comprises a series of law-related courses to supplement any major leading to law school. Students gain access to workshops, career advising, LSAT preparation, and law school application preparation.
The pre-law track does not require a set number of credits. Instead, students take law-related courses in disciplines of law and politics, criminology, communication, and philosophy. These courses include international and constitutional law, crime and justice in the U.S., and legal writing. Pre-law advisors help students navigate any questions about law school.
USF applicants must hold a high school or GED equivalent. The average admitted student GPA falls between 4.1-4.4.
USF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Tucson, AZ
Bachelor of Arts in Law
The University of Arizona features a bachelor of arts in law that trains students in key law foundations that help one make logically sound arguments. The program offers a fast track path to law school through the 3+3 program. Qualified students can start law school after their junior year. The University of Arizona delivers the program face to face or entirely online.
The 120-credit degree includes 39 major credits and takes 3-4 years to complete. The core curriculum comprises courses on topics such as the U.S. national government, procedure, torts and contracts, and constitutional and administrative laws.
First year applicants need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. They must rank in their graduating class's top 25% with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
The University of Arizona is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Evanston, IL
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
Northwestern University provides a legal studies program open to undergraduates in all schools. Students must apply to the major because demand often exceeds enrollment limits for the competitive program. Applications typically open in the winter quarter, and students apply during their sophomore or junior year.
The legal studies bachelor degree requires 12 courses, including four core courses and eight electives. Core courses include law and society, research methods in legal studies, and two advanced research seminars. In the research seminars, students design and execute an original socio-legal research project and produce a thesis. Each seminar caps the student numbers at 25 to ensure individualized attention from professors and teaching assistants.
Applicants must submit a current unofficial transcript and a writing sample. The legal studies program does not require a minimum GPA, but considers grades received in legal studies courses and related disciplines.
Northwestern University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Memphis, TN
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
The University of Memphis equips legal studies program students to provide legal support services or pursue further legal education. The University of Memphis features an accelerated BA-to-JD program where students earn their bachelor's and law degree in six years. The university delivers the legal studies degree entirely online.
The 120-credit legal studies bachelor degree includes 30 core credits in legal studies and takes 3-4 years to complete. The curriculum emphasizes theory and application of the law, legal research, law-related technologies, and professional communication skills. Core courses cover topics such as legal ethics, contracts commercial law, torts, and civil procedure.
All UofM students complete a senior thesis or project in their final semester. For their senior projects, learners analyze a case file, conduct independent legal research, and draft a full-length trial brief.
University of Memphis is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Longmeadow, MA
BS/BA in Legal Studies
Bay Path University provides a legal studies program to students with a strong foundation in legal communication, leadership, technology, and ethics. The program prepares graduates for careers in law, law school, or graduate school. Graduates meet the requirements for the American Bar Association-approved certificate of advanced paralegal studies.
Bay Path partners with the Western New England School of Law to offer a 3+3 program. Students qualifying for the program begin their first year of law school at Western New England after their junior year at Bay Path.
The legal studies degree comprises 120 credits over 3-4 years. Students take courses such as business law, principles of litigation, principles of criminal procedure, and tort law. Students must complete an internship as a part of the curriculum.
Applicants must hold a high school or GED equivalent. During the 2021 admissions cycles, candidates may submit unofficial transcripts and self-reported grades.
Bay Path University is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Buffalo, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Law
The University at Buffalo features a bachelor of arts in law for students pursuing careers requiring a sound understanding of the law. The program prepares students to continue their legal education in law school or other related graduate programs. Graduates qualify for careers that support lawyers, including paralegals and trial consultants. The University at Buffalo offers an accelerated BA-to-JD program.
The 120-credit degree includes 42 major credits and takes 3-4 years to complete. Core courses include common law, public law, legal reasoning, legal research methods, and contract law. Students can participate in supervised undergraduate teaching and conduct independent studies during their degree.
Applicants need a high school or GED equivalent. Competitive candidates hold a minimum 2.0 GPA and completed two legal studies courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
University at Buffalo is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Amherst, MA
Bachelor's in Legal Studies
University of Massachusetts Amherst offers a bachelor's degree in legal studies emphasizing the relationship between law, politics, and society. Most classes limit student numbers to 25 so each student enjoys a high interaction level with faculty members and peers. Graduates attend law school or pursue careers in court administration, law enforcement, or education.
The legal studies bachelor degree requires 120 credits and takes four years to complete. Students can specialize in comparative and international law, conflict resolution, constitutional law, and law and social justice. Students enjoy the opportunity to pursue internships with courts, district attorney offices, private law firms, and public interest groups.
Candidates must complete the common application and an essay. UMass has adopted a test optional policy through Spring 2023.
UMass Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Wichita, KS
Bachelor's in Pre-Law
Wichita State University offers a pre-law program that issues a broad liberal arts education alongside courses providing an understanding of the law. Since the program does not confer its own degree, students may choose to major in any discipline. Advisors provide pre-law students with recommendations for courses that build the skills necessary for law school. These skills include quantitative research and statistical techniques, communication skills, and logical reasoning.
A bachelor's degree on a pre-law track requires 120 credits and takes four years to complete. Students might take courses such as criminal law, courts and the judicial system, philosophy of law, and public law. Students enjoy access to internship opportunities and a cooperative education program giving them hands-on experience.
Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED. Candidates need a minimum 2.25 GPA and adequate test scores.
Wichita State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.