LEGAL STUDIES DEGREE PROGR AM DETAILS The need for professionals with legal training in a variety of career fields is growing – in healthcare, business, entertainment, the nonprofit sector, government and more. Belmont’s Legal Studies program will help you understand the legal system and how to assist others as they navigate unfamiliar processes. Whether your interest is in pursuing social justice, shaping public policy, exploring the inner workings of government, or preparing for graduate or law school, Belmont’s Legal Studies program has two options for you to complete the major: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies: This pathway allows you to complete the legal studies major with a minor in four years. Many students choosing this option are preparing for work in law-related fields, graduate work outside of law school, or want a more traditional 4-year undergraduate experience before entering law school. 3+ 3 Program: This pathway offers an accelerated path to law school, allowing qualified legal studies majors to complete their first year of law school at Belmont’s College of Law during their fourth undergraduate year. You save time and money, completing both your bachelor’s in Legal Studies and Juris Doctor (J.D.) in six years
STUDENT BENEFITS Enhance Your Knowledge: Through this highly interdisciplinary major, you’ll learn legal writing, gain an understanding of the philosophy of law, research issues regarding real-world problems.
GRADUATE PROFILE:
Erin Grimm “I chose the Legal Studies/3+3 pathway because not only would it prepare me for law school with the right classes, but it provided me with a fast track that I was trying
Expand Your Opportunities: Delve deeper into specialty areas such as international
to create for myself. I am
law, music industry contract law, criminal justice, poverty and justice, communication law,
very happy with the Legal
entertainment law, copyright law, or eco-justice and faith. Complete your degree in legal
Studies/3+3 program and the
studies, preparing yourself for career opportunities in a vast array of legal environments.
way it has set me up to be successful in law school. I felt
CAREER IMPACT As a graduate of the program, you’ll be prepared for a variety of career options that engage with the law, both inside and outside of the legal profession. With this degree you’ll be equipped to pursue law school or other law-related graduate programs. You’ll also be prepared to work as a paralegal, human rights advocate, insurance claims adjuster, legislative assistant, human resources compliance officer, political advisor or in real estate or law enforcement.
confident starting law school knowing that I already had some exposure to the material we were going to learn the first year. Saving a full year of school and tuition is also a huge bonus.”
BACHELOR OF ARTS OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Legal Studies Degree Requirements BELL Core/General Education Requirements Technical Requirements Principles of Macroeconomics Principles of Microeconomics Critical Thinking Ethics
Legal Studies Major Courses
LEGAL STUDIES CURRICULUM The B.A. or B.S. in Legal Studies consists of a minimum of 128 credit hours if pursuing the traditional pathway, including BELL Core general education requirements and a minor. If pursuing the 3+3 pathway, the student must take 83 hours of required BELL Core and the major plus 16 additional free elective hours to equal 99 earned hours prior to ability to matriculate to the College of Law. Students in either pathway will complete a set of Legal Studies Technical and Major Core Courses, as well as Major Electives.
Business Law I Business Law II Persuasion or Argumentation & Debate Legal Entrepreneurship Philosophy of Law Business Ethics Negotiation Legal Writing
Legal Studies Major Electives: Choose Two Courses
bachelor’s degree from an accredited senior college or university. If you want to transfer
Copyright Law – Music Business Entertainment Law & Licensing Music Industry Contract Law International Law Copyright & Publishing Law Communication Law Criminal Justice Law and Society Eco-Justice and Faith Poverty & Justice
credits from both community college and a senior college or university, at least 64 hours
Electives
TR ANSFER CREDIT You’ll need a total of 128 credit hours to graduate from most of Belmont’s undergraduate adult degree programs—and our flexible transfer credit policy puts you well on your way. You can transfer up to 64 credits toward a bachelor’s degree from an accredited junior college or community college. You can transfer up to 96 credits toward a
of work must come from an accredited senior college or university. For all students, a minimum of 32 hours must be completed at Belmont. Contact us to complete a free unofficial transcript analysis of your previous college coursework so we can see how many courses you have left to take at Belmont.
For more information, email adultdegree@belmont.edu
ISGE-213481
Credits Required for Graduation
128