(Currently Not Accepting Enrollments)

Description and Outcomes

Effective October 19, 2016, this program will no longer be accepting enrollments or reentries. An alternative program may be available/recommended. Check with an Admissions Advisor.

The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program is designed to provide you with an education that incorporates the study of law (and related disciplines) with the development of both practical and analytical skills. In addition, if you plan on continuing your course of study at the law school level, the program's solid educational foundation could prepare you for the rigors of advanced study of the law or other areas of graduate study.

The program focuses on the knowledge, skills, and values required of competent and ethical professionals working in the legal services industry. Courses provide a well-rounded academic foundation that emphasizes analytical thinking, reading comprehension, and communication skills while helping you develop the practical skills to successfully enter the job market. You will have the opportunity to develop strong interpersonal skills, self-discipline, and ethical principles.

The legal education and training provided in the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program may prove useful if you are interested in continuing on to law school or a graduate education program or pursuing many other occupations including: arbitrator, mediator, patent agent, title examiner, legislative assistant, lobbyist, political office holder, corporate executive, journalist, abstractor, claims examiner, compliance and enforcement inspector, occupational and safety health worker, legal psychology expert, and jury consultant.

If you have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, you may be eligible for degree requirements to be waived and replaced with advanced start credit. Refer to Advanced Start Credit in Bachelor’s Degrees in the Prior Learning Assessment section for details.

Accelerated Master's Degree Options

If you are interested in earning a master's degree in environmental policy, human services, legal studies, psychology, or public administration, consider an accelerated master's degree option. Refer to the Progression Requirements section for details.

Program Length

The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

1. Theory and Principles: Define the basic theories, elements, and principles of law.
2. Research: Find relevant primary and secondary legal sources in electronic and print media and apply them to specific fact scenarios using prescribed analysis and argument.
3. Investigation: Apply investigative techniques to support the development of a legal argument.
4. Communications: Produce communications using theoretical and practical concepts from specialized areas of law.
5. Critical Thinking: Evaluate the role of legal theory and practice in the practice of societal institutions.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the undergraduate School of General Education section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Please refer to school-specific policies and the Policy Information section for general Purdue Global policies.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or nongovernmental certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. If certain licensed occupations, vocations, or professions are not explicitly listed, Purdue Global has not made a determination with respect to the licensure or certification requirements of those occupations, vocations, or professions. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, meeting other certification requirements, or the program or the University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure.

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Program Requirements