Is a Legal Studies Degree Right for Me?
Legal studies undergraduate degrees are a great choice for students looking to work in positions like legal assistants or paralegals or to prepare for law school.
Law degrees are graduate degree programs where you'll earn a Juris Doctor. However, there are degree programs that allow people to work within the legal field without having to attend law school or prepare themselves to attend a graduate program to practice law.
If you are looking to become a paralegal or a lawyer, a legal studies degree is probably right for your career goals.
What Is a Legal Studies Degree?
A legal studies degree program covers multiple fields of study related to law to prepare graduates for a legal career. This major is usually an undergraduate degree, traditionally a bachelor's degree, but some students pursue a Master of Legal Studies (MLS degree).
An MLS program is a graduate degree, but it doesn't have the same prerequisites as law school, such as the LSAT or the requirement to pass the bar exam before starting work. As a result, even with a master's in legal studies, you won't be able to practice law as a lawyer.
This degree is a good starting point for students looking to work in a law office, but are open to entry-level positions to earn experience towards becoming a lawyer.
Some schools do offer an associate degree for legal studies, but this degree will have much more limited career opportunities than a bachelor's degree will.
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Southern New Hampshire University
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Arizona State University
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What Does a Legal Studies Major Study?
Because graduates of legal studies programs will often work in law offices in support roles, there are a variety of courses that will cover different topics. Legal studies programs are
- legal research
- the intricacies of the American legal system
- constitutional law
- real estate law
- intellectual property law
- reading and writing legal documents
- family law
- criminal law
- international law
Coursework isn't exclusively focused on the hard skills of being a lawyer, several soft skills can benefit a legal studies major, especially if their ultimate goal is attending law school. Additional courses in a legal studies program will include English and writing skills along with critical thinking.
Why You Should Consider a Degree in Legal Studies
Whether you are using a legal studies degree for its pre-law program benefits or to work in the legal profession in a different capacity, there are many reasons that this degree could be right for you.
Better Understanding of the Law
Regardless of which aspect of the law you want to work in after graduation, a legal studies degree will give you a deeper understanding of the law and how legal issues are resolved, both civil and criminal. Even if you ultimately would like to work outside of a legal profession, such as in human resources, a better understanding of employment law can be highly valuable to you and your future employer.
Develop Necessary Skills
Legal studies programs work with many soft skills like critical thinking and research which prepare graduates to work in positions like legal assistant or paralegal. Although these skills can be learned in other degree programs, developing them within the context of a law degree program can help aspiring legal professionals.
High-Demand Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), legal assistants and paralegals are expected to see a 4% job growth by 2032, which is slightly faster than the average projection for all occupations. Legal work is always in demand as the law can be tricky for people without training to navigate. Completing a legal studies degree can prepare graduates for multiple in-demand career paths.
Preparation for Law School
Because a legal studies degree covers many fundamental aspects of the law, it is commonly used as a pre-law degree before attending a graduate law school program. Multiple degrees can be used as a prerequisite for law school, but not all of them will include the legal-focused coursework that legal studies degree programs do.
Although a legal studies master's degree is available, most students who complete a legal studies degree in hopes of law school will prefer the bachelor's degree option.
An Intellectually Challenging and Rewarding Degree
Studying the law is often an intellectual challenge, especially as new legislation and court cases will change the legal landscape frequently. For students who want an intellectual challenge while earning a degree that can set them up for a variety of potential careers, a legal studies degree is a great choice.
Flexible Online Course Options
Many accredited schools offer fully online legal studies programs that can allow for a flexible and often cheaper alternative to a traditional degree program. The full-time commitment of on-campus degree programs can often deter some learners, which is why the widespread availability of online courses can be appealing.
Ability To Grow in Legal Professions
Whether you stay at an undergraduate legal studies degree or continue to law school, a legal studies degree will allow you to start work and earn experience that can help you grow in your legal career.
Job Opportunities for Legal Studies Degree Majors
When you become a legal studies graduate, you will have a high number of career opportunities available to you both inside and outside the legal profession.
Some of the common career options available to legal studies graduates include:
- law enforcement officer
- paralegal
- legal assistant
- law librarian
- probation officer
- compliance officer
- legal secretary
- arbitrator or mediator
- human resources professional
- nonprofit coordinator
- legal roles within government agencies
Legal Studies Degree: Questions To Ask Yourself
When deciding on a legal studies degree, there are several questions you should ask yourself to determine if the degree program is right for you, which concentration you'd like to pursue, and more.
- Do I want to continue my studies in law school?
- Am I more interested in civil law or criminal justice?
- Am I going to apply to law firms or work in more of a corporate setting?
- Do I like reading and filing legal documents?
- Do I like working independently to support the efforts of a larger team?
- Do I want a specialty in family, international, healthcare, or other subset of law?
- Do I have excellent organizational skills?
- Do I have good verbal and written communication skills?
