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A career-focused legal studies curriculum
In the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program, you’ll study a wide range of legal-focused subject matter. Coursework emphasizes advanced legal research, writing, and critical analysis, alongside emerging areas like intellectual property, bankruptcy law, cyber law, and data governance. The curriculum also incorporates legal technology and AI tools, reflecting how legal work is done in today’s digital landscape.
The bachelor’s degree program is designed to help you prepare to succeed in advanced roles in legal support, compliance, and related fields. It can support your progression toward positions such as senior paralegal, legal analyst, compliance specialist, or jobs in corporate, government, or law office settings—as well as serve as a strong foundation for graduate study or law school.
You can transfer up to 90 approved credits from prior college coursework and potentially decrease the time needed to complete the program.
All courses are delivered online via the Canvas learning management system. The program concludes with a capstone or internship (if available in your state).
You will have access to a variety of resources for online students to help you stay on track and progress through the program at a pace that’s right for you.
Program
Months i
Semester Credits
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
36
120
iAverage number of months for students to complete program
Required Courses
All courses, 70.00 semester credit hours, are required.
This course is designed to introduce students to the foundational elements of accounting, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and apply basic accounting concepts, processes, and tools. The course is tailored to provide students with an understanding of accounting principles and covers topics, from the preparation of financial statements to the intricacies of budgeting, management control systems, and profitability analysis.
This course is designed for students aiming to ascend to new heights in their careers and master the art of business leadership. This course offers a blend of personal growth strategies and business acumen, tailored to equip students with the insights, skills, and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern business world.
This course is designed to navigate the complexities of modern organizational landscapes. This course delves into the essence of effective leadership, exploring the facets of leading with vision, strategy, emotional intelligence, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on leadership. Students will uncover the critical skills and insights needed to lead teams, drive change, and achieve organizational goals.
This course introduces students to the foundations of the American legal system and the essential role paralegals play within it. Students will explore the structure of the courts, the basics of substantive law, and develop an understanding of the foundations of legal research, writing, and analytical reasoning. Students will understand core legal concepts and the professional tools and methods used throughout the legal field.
This course establishes the fundamental skills necessary for success in a legal environment: efficient research, critical analysis, and clear, professional legal communication. Students will demonstrate the core Issue Rule Application Conclusion (IRAC) processes of identifying the issue, researching and defining the rule, interpreting and applying the legal authorities to resolve client problems and construct persuasive well-researched legal arguments.
This course introduces students to the foundational principles of legal ethics and professional responsibility. Students will learn how to recognize and apply ethical standards through the study of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The course emphasizes practical judgment, critical thinking, and the development of ethically sound workplace practices.
This course provides an exploration of the business, financial, technological, and ethical principles essential for the effective management of a law practice. Students will review legal technology systems for case management, e-discovery and data privacy while utilizing financial and time management skills to maintain good client relationships. Students will understand the core operational skills required to launch, manage, and grow a successful legal organization while navigating ethical AI and data privacy concerns.
This course provides an overview of the civil litigation process and the procedural rules that guide the resolution of non-criminal disputes in the United States. Students will examine the sources of procedural law, determine proper jurisdiction and venue, and explore each phase of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, pre-trial motions, trial preparation, and civil trials. The course also covers judgments, remedies, and post-trial motions. Through practical application, students will draft foundational procedural documents such as complaints, answers, and motions, and develop the skills to present clear, organized legal arguments.
This course introduces students to the principles of tort law, including negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability. Students will analyze how tort concepts function within the civil justice system and apply them to commonly encountered in legal practice. Students will identify legal issues, interpret case law, and use structured methods of legal analysis.
This course introduces students to the principles of contract law, including formation, enforceability, performance, and remedies. Students will explore how statutes, case law, and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) define contract rights and obligations. Emphasis is placed on contract drafting, interpretation, and the ethical responsibilities of legal professionals supporting contract-related work.
This course examines the substantive and procedural aspects of criminal law, including major offenses, constitutional safeguards, and stages of the criminal justice process. Students will learn how laws define criminal behavior, how courts administer justice, and how legal assistants contribute to case preparation and documentation. Ethical standards and professional conduct in criminal practice will be emphasized.
This course introduces the fundamental legal principles that shape family relationships, focusing on the formation and dissolution of legal bonds. Students will examine the requirements for a valid marriage and divorce, explore the purposes and determination of alimony, and analyze how courts assess the best interests of the child in matters involving custody and support. The course also covers the legal standards and procedures for adoption and guardianship. Students will draft essential family law documents while gaining a foundational understanding of how family law affects individuals and families.
This course explores the framework and principles of the U.S. Constitution with an emphasis on judicial review, federalism, and individual rights. Students will analyze landmark Supreme Court cases to understand how constitutional doctrines evolve and shape public policy. The course also examines due process, equal protection, and the application of constitutional law to modern legal and social challenges.
This course builds upon foundational legal research and analytical skills, focusing on the strategic, complex, and persuasive writing necessary for appellate and litigation practice. Students will engage with multi-layered legal problems and apply advanced writing structures using the IRAC and CIRAC methods. Additionally, students will explore emerging technologies in legal practice, including generative AI.
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of real and personal property ownership and the legal concepts that shape land transactions. Students will explore the elements of real estate contracts, the various forms of property ownership, and the distinctions among different types of deeds. Additionally, this course examines the legal requirements and processes for transferring property, the major steps and documentation involved in real estate closings, and the impact of land use regulations and property taxation on ownership and development.
This course surveys U.S. and international intellectual property law including copyright, trademark, patent, and trade-secret protection. Students explore ownership, infringement, and enforcement issues through case analysis and practical applications. Emphasis will be placed on evolving areas such as digital media, AI-generated works, and global IP frameworks.
This course explores the processes, strategies, and techniques used to resolve legal conflicts outside of traditional courtroom litigation. Students will gain an understanding of the various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and the skills to analyze, select, and participate effectively in non-adversarial conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.
This course provides a legal and operational framework for understanding the entities that drive modern commerce. Students will explore the full life cycle of a business, from initial formation to dissolution, focusing on the legal, ethical, and strategic implications of organizational structure. Additionally, students will analyze the interplay between agency, governance, fiduciary duties, and global business practices to counsel clients on operational risks, tax implications, and sustainable business decisions.
This course will explore complex civil litigation, guiding students through the processes, strategies, and legal standards that shape civil disputes. Students will examine examples of complex litigation cases and analyze discovery methods. Emphasis will be placed on drafting legal documents including motions, preparing pretrial strategies, and planning case management approaches.
This course introduces the legal principles governing the distribution of property during life and after death. Students will explore the structure and purpose of Wills, trusts, and other estate planning instruments, gaining practical experience in drafting essential documents. The course also introduces the tax implications associated with various methods of property transfer, offering a foundational understanding of how tax considerations influence estate planning strategies.
This course provides students with a foundational understanding of employment and labor law. Students will explore the legal framework that governs the employer–employee relationship, including at-will employment, wage and hour regulations, anti-discrimination statutes, workplace safety requirements, and labor relations. Students will also cover best practices in documentation to ensure proper legal protections for organizations. Emphasis will be placed on legal compliance and practical application of employment and labor laws.
This course provides an overview of bankruptcy law, focusing on the structure and purpose of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and its major chapters. Emphasis will be placed on understanding debtor eligibility, repayment plans, and strategic considerations used by individuals and businesses facing financial distress. Students will also examine the scope and impact of the automatic stay along with creditor rights, protections, and remedies. Additionally, this course will cover essential bankruptcy procedures, documentation standards, and taxation considerations.
This course examines the legal frameworks, regulatory challenges, and emerging issues that govern activity in cyberspace. Students will analyze jurisdictional conflicts in prosecuting cybercrime, cyberterrorism, and state-sponsored threats. Additionally, this course explores organizational liability and compliance obligations under GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA. Students will evaluate DMCA takedown procedures, fair use defenses, and digital copyright and trademark disputes. Emphasis will be placed on drafting enforceable cross-border e-commerce contracts aligned with UETA and the E-SIGN Act.
Open Elective Courses
A minimum of 9.00 semester credit hours is required. Eligible students can take approved dual credit graduate level courses to complete a portion of the open electives requirement.
Required Capstone or Internship
3.00 semester credit hours are required.
This course serves as the culminating experience for students to integrate and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies developed throughout the legal studies program. Students will analyze legal principles and conduct advanced legal research using primary and secondary sources, including responsible use of AI-powered research tools. Students will also evaluate ethical and compliance considerations in varied legal and business contexts. Through a final project, students will showcase their readiness for professional roles within the legal field.
This is an elective course students take in their final semester. The internship course is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in legal studies and its related fields. The outcome of the internship is an informed student fully apprised of the opportunities his/her degree program offers for professional growth. During the internship phase of training, the student will experience various aspects of working in the actual field in which the student has been educated. The internship is designed to provide the student with the opportunity to experience and participate in duties typical of a contemporary workplace setting. Student learning will center on observing experienced personnel as well as participating in actual hands-on procedures under close supervision of trained professionals.
* Online students in some states may not be allowed to take this internship due to state restrictions.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 36.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. Courses transferred from other accredited colleges may also be used to meet these requirements. EN 104 English Composition I, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 EN 111 Information Literacy, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 EN 116 Speech, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 EN 304 English Composition II, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 HU 140 Cultural Diversity, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 HU 240 Introduction to Humanities, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 HU 340 Humanities and Contemporary Popular Culture, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 109 College Algebra, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 320 Statistics, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 SC 270 Environmental Literacy, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 PS 101 Psychology, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 SS 350 Social Issues and Technology, Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
Personal and Professional Development Courses
All courses, 2.00 semester credit hours, are required.
This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success. Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.
This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.
