Online Legal Studies Degree Programs

In both campus and online legal studies degree programs, the goal is to prepare students to work effectively with other legal professionals, as well as clients.

Legal studies programs degree students to communicate with legal professionals, and learn more about local and community government operations. Legal studies careers are available in business, insurance, real estate, and government. While a degree in legal studies is not a pre-law course, it focuses on the study of law and its applications to everyday life. The purpose of the goal is to equip students with the ability to understand the law and policies in business and society. Students can opt to pursue an Associate's or Bachelor's in Legal Studies. After completing a legal studies bachelor, students can work toward a masters in legal studies degree or continue on to law school. Legal studies is quite a broad field, and students can pursue various avenues that can include law studies, criminal studies, legal studies, forensic science, criminal justice. In some cases, areas such as public administration, public policy, international relations, economics, police science and other social sciences may fall under legal studies.

Criminal Justice and Legal Degree Programs

Legal Studies Programs

• Legal Secretary (Certificate)
• Advanced Start in Legal Studies (Bachelor's)
• Legal Studies (Bachelor's)

Concord Law School - Kaplan University

• Executive Juris Doctor (Law Degree)
• Juris Doctor (Degree Program)

Capella University

• Legal Studies (Master's)

Strayer University

• BBA: Legal Studies

• Master of Science in Law (MSL)

Walden University

• Psychology & Legal Systems (Master's)
• Political Science & Public Administration - Law and Legal Studies (Bachelor's)
• Law and Public Policy (M.P.A)

• Legal Studies (Associate's)
• Legal Studies (Bachelor's)

Grand Canyon University

• MS in Criminal Justice: Legal Studies

Herzing University

• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies (BSLS)

• Master of Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Keiser University eCampus

• Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies

Legal Studies Education and Training

In the bachelor in legal studies program, legal studies courses may include legal ethics courses, case law research, computer courses, and legal writing and drafting courses. Many legal studies college and university programs also require their legal studies majors to complete internships at local law firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Legal studies courses might include:

• Legal Research and Writing
• Constitutional Law
• The American Constitution
• History of American Law
• Comparative Law
• Law and Society
• Theories of Justice

Legal studies course may include classes in criminal justice, the U.S. Constitution, U.S. legal history, dispute resolution, human rights, property rights, international law, corporate law, and copyright law. Since legal studies is an interdisciplinary field students may be required to take course in other area, including sociology, psychology, forensics, and ethics.

Legal Studies Careers

Graduates of Legal Studies degree programs and legal studies certificate programs can find employment as paralegals and legal assistants depending on their level od study. Areas where graduates can work include private and public law firms, public agencies, insurance, banking and finance, and real estate.

It is also a good option for graduates who wish to pursue a career in law, public administration, or public policy. In addition, a degree in legal studies also prepares graduates to work in occupational safety, and claims adjustment, realtor. You can also work as a:

• Paralegal or Legal Assistant
• Probation Officer
• Social Work (with corresponding qualifications)

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

In 2008, paralegals and legal assistants earned $46,120, as reported by the United States Bureau of Legal Assistants (BLS). The middle 50 percent% earned between $36,080 and $59,310 while the top 10% earned over $73,450. The lowest 10% earned below $29,260. Other areas that hire graduate are:

• Entry Level Human Resources Generalists -$44,000
• Senior Level Human Resources - Generalist brings home $79,500
• Claims Adjusters - $44,500
• Social Workers - $45,000
• Lobbyist - over $101,000

Graduates of legal studies degree who choose to attend law school can expect to earn $70,000 to $145,600 working as an attorney. The BLS reports that the employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 28% between 2008 and 2018.

This is fueled by the need by employers are trying to reduce the cost of lawyers by having some of the work handled by legal assistants and paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers. It is however important to note that legal assistants are not lawyers or attorneys and there are certain tasks that only lawyers can perform. Online legal studies degree programs provide graduates with the opportunity to join the legal profession.

Online legal studies degree programs and online law degree programs