11000 Law & Paralegal subject sub_topic Legal studies degree students learn how to communicate with legal professionals, and how community governments can operate more effectively. Typical coursework might include legal ethics, legal writing and drafting, case law research, and computer proficiency. Many colleges and universities encourage their legal studies majors to complete internships at local law firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Students wishing to eventually attend Law School sometimes begin with a Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies. Students may pursue an Associate's, Bachelor's in Legal Studies, and those wishing for a higher degree usually pursue Law School. Graduates of Legal Studies degree or certificate programs can work as paralegals and legal assistants in a variety of settings including private and public law firms, public agencies, insurance and real estate. 0 0 0 11180 <p>A degree in legal studies provides a versatile background for students considering careers in law or public policy. Although a four-year degree is required for acceptance into any law school, choosing to major in legal studies would provide excellent preparation for a career in law. Moreover, a degree in legal studies also prepares an individual for work as a legal assistant, paralegal, occupational safety specialist, claims adjuster, realtor, and public policy worker. </p> <strong>Legal Studies Courses </strong> <p>Students who specialize in legal studies may take courses on the Constitution, U.S. legal history, alternative dispute resolution, criminal justice, human rights, property rights, international law, corporate law, copyright law, and emerging legal issues related to information technology. Legal studies is an interdisciplinary field meaning, depending on the school, there may be courses available in other departments that count towards a legal studies degree. For example, a student may be given credit for taking a psychology class that focuses on the relationship between psychology and legal issues. Since law touches almost every aspect of society, students may take courses that deal with ethics, sociology, philosophy, or even forensics. </p> <strong>Internships</strong> <p>Some schools offer hands-on internships as part of a legal studies program. This may include working in a university-based student legal aid center, assisting with pro bono work at a local law firm, or working with a community organization on a legal advocacy issue. As in any field, on-the-job experience enhances the overall degree program tremendously. </p> <strong>Required Accreditation </strong> <p>Students with aspirations of becoming lawyers should always go through institutions that are approved by the American Bar Association. If, on the other hand, you strive to become a paralegal it possible to attain a degree that is not ABA approved. While this may be a possibility, it is not recommended. Applicants who have received a degree from an ABA approved school will be much more competitive to employers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, paralegals are now expected to execute tasks previously performed by lawyers. Therefore, not only are the number of paralegals expected to grow in the near future, but the caliber of work expected will increase as well. An education from an approved school is especially important because of this. </p> <strong>Career Opportunities </strong> <p>Students who find employment as a legal assistant after finishing a legal studies' program can eventually expect earnings at a median of $43,040. The top 10% of paralegals earn over $67,540, depending on their place of employment and level of experience. Work as a paralegal demands excellent attention to detail, analytical skills, and skill in multi-tasking. </p> <p>Students who choose to attend law school following a legal studies degree can ultimately expect income in the range of $69,910 to $145,600. Some lawyers, of course, do earn less (or more) depending on their focus and experience level. </p> <p><strong>Article Resources </strong></p> The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <br> <a href="http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm#related" target="_blank">http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm#related </a><br><br> The University of Massachusetts at Amherst <br> <a href="http://www.umass.edu/legal/" target="_blank">http://www.umass.edu/legal/ </a><br><br> University of California , Berkeley <br> <a href="http://legalstudies.berkeley.edu/?p=12" target="_blank">http://legalstudies.berkeley.edu/?p=12 </a><br><br> legal-studies Legal Studies 11190, 11170, 11100 1 0 0