Best Online Legal Studies Degrees

The legal system is complex and requires many types of professionals. Legal studies degrees give students foundational knowledge of the many parts of the U.S. legal system. Students learn about policy-making, law enforcement, civil law, and legal ethics.

The legal studies major represents an intersection of social sciences, criminology, economics, and political science. This broad curriculum prepares graduates to fill many positions in the legal field, all of which have tangible impacts on the community. These professionals can work for governments, nonprofit organizations, or private law firms. PayScale reports that graduates with these degrees earn an average of $60,000 annually.

Because the legal field is so widespread, some schools offer specialization or certification options for legal studies students. These options allow students to understand a particular area of law and get noticed when they apply for work in those fields.

As with most bachelor’s programs, earning a bachelor’s degree in law requires students to complete core courses across several disciplines in addition to classes in the major. While schools design their own curricula, learners who choose the legal studies major often take courses in legal ethics, constitutional law, legal writing, and negotiation.

Some universities offer concentrations or specializations like paralegal studies, pre-law, business law, and law office management. These concentrations build on skills in foundational legal courses to better prepare graduates for specific career paths. For example, learners who choose business law specializations may take courses in employment and transactional law. These courses prepare them to work in the legal departments of major corporations.

Some legal studies degrees require candidates to complete capstone courses in which they use their newfound skills to complete major projects.

Typically, a student must complete 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree in law or legal studies. For a full-time student, this process takes four years. However, many factors can impact how long it takes a learner to finish these programs.

Many online legal studies programs use accelerated terms that last four, six, or eight weeks. This schedule allows students to take just one course at a time and graduate quickly. Candidates with previous college experience may be able to transfer their credits and earn their degrees in less time than new students.

Earning a bachelor’s in legal studies is the first step to becoming a licensed attorney. After graduating with undergraduate law degrees, students may enroll in law programs, earn their Juris doctorates, pass bar exams, and become practicing attorneys. After gaining plenty of experience, some attorneys become judges.

While lawyers and judges are some of the most visible legal professionals, the field includes many other positions, including entry-level jobs. Paralegals provide research and writing support for licensed attorneys, and a bachelor’s in legal studies can help graduates qualify for these positions. Some programs prepare learners to sit for paralegal certification exams, which help them stand out as applicants for paralegal positions.

Graduates can find employment opportunities in many other organizations, including law enforcement agencies, courtrooms, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Below are some positions that legal studies majors commonly fill after graduation.

The most common positions for legal studies graduates include paralegal, mediator, and court reporter. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for these professions is projected to grow at above-average rates between 2018 and 2028.