Course of Study
The Master of Arts with a Major in Legal Studies requires a total of 36 semester credit hours including a cumulative research project, an oral comprehensive examination, and an internship. The 27 hours of required courses are as follows:
- LS 5310 Introduction to the Paralegal Profession and Legal Technology
- LS 5320 Legal Research
- LS 5330 Legal Theories and Analysis
- LS 5340 Litigation
- LS 5350 Legal Drafting
- LS 5360 Advanced Litigation
- LS 5370 Advanced Legal Research and Writing
- LS 5389 Internship
- LS 5399 Applied Research Project
Students may select any 9 hours out of the following elective courses:
- LS 5341 Administrative Law
- LS 5343 Family Law
- LS 5349 Business Organizations
- LS 5351 Estates and Trusts
- LS 5353 Real Estate
- LS 5359 Alternative Dispute Resolution
- LS 5361 Criminal Law
- LS 5363 Social Legislation
- LS 5371 Intellectual Property
- LS 5373 Contract Law
Students must make a grade of “B” or better in each required course to receive credit for the course and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
Please note the four-course sequence you must follow for the legal research and writing component of the program. It begins with Legal Research (LS 5320), which you should take your first semester (or summer if you are starting in the summer). After Legal Research, you will take Legal Drafting (LS 5350). Then, you will take Advanced Legal Research & Writing (LS 5370), and finally, Applied Research Project (LS 5399).
ABA Approved
The master of arts in legal studies program is approved by the American Bar Association. The master of arts in legal studies program does not qualify a person to practice law.