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Program Highlights: About the Curriculum
This 60-credit undergraduate program introduces students to America’s courts, as well as the legal and criminal justice system. Students learn key information and skills often related to non-lawyer professional roles in the legal field, such as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Students interested in this associate’s degree will complete general education courses, lower-level electives, and a final program requirement. Legal studies coursework provides foundational knowledge, covering topics like the following:
- Introduction to Law for Paralegals
- Litigation
- Real Estate Law
- Criminal Law
- Paralegal Procedures
- Legal Research
- Legal Writing
- Civil Practice and Procedure
- Legal Ethics
This resulting curriculum translates to a study of the law itself, as well as pertinent, real-world issues.
Why Get This Associate of Science Degree?
American Public University is part of American Public University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
American Public University is dedicated to providing accessible, quality education. With courses starting every month and no set login times, this online program combines flexible scheduling with quality learning. Whether your goal is to someday attend law school, or you are interested in learning about a possible legal career as a non-lawyer professional, completing this degree may be a practical stepping stone.
What Can You Do With This Degree
After earning this associates in legal studies, you may further advance your education with a bachelor’s degree. In fact, legal studies degrees are offered at all levels—associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s. The working knowledge you’ll gain of legal services, legal ethics, legal and factual research, legal processes, and the law is expanded as you continue throughout your educational journey. You will become familiar with preparing legal documents, the inner workings of law firms, and how to provide support to non-lawyer professions.
How to Pay for This Degree
This program is an excellent way to further your knowledge at a reasonable investment. Not only do you benefit from American Public University’s affordable tuition rates, but many students may also qualify for federal student aid (FSA), military tuition assistance, and veteran (such as GI Bill® ) benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Your employer may offer educational benefits that can help you pay for this associate's degree. Contact your company’s human resources department for more specific information on the types of programs that may be covered under their tuition assistance benefits.
While American Public University does not offer scholarships directly, we do encourage students enrolled in our degree programs to apply for private scholarships to help offset the cost of earning an undergraduate degree.
Earning your degree can become even more affordable if you’ve taken other legal studies courses, completed relevant certifications/exams, or your real-world experience overlaps with requirements for this program. American Public University’s $0 transfer credit evaluation can help you identify opportunities to potentially reduce your coursework and tuition.
Please see the University’s transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can earn this associate of science online. Our courses have no set login times, so you can attend classes even while working full time or balancing family obligations.
Students who earn their degree online at American Public University enjoy numerous advantages. First, the virtual learning environment provides flexibility that often does not exist at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Second, affordable tuition, $0 application fee for undergraduate programs, and $0 ebooks for undergraduate courses make higher learning accessible to those who seek an online degree. Courses related to the paralegal profession are also combined with curriculum focusing on other aspects of the legal field for a well-rounded education. Furthermore, this program helps to familiarize students with the software and technology that may be used in today’s law firms.
Students gain foundational legal knowledge that may provide a smoother transition to a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, legal studies, and/or other legal concentrations. There are also networking opportunities with fellow students and faculty to share real-world experience. Additionally, you gain fundamental understanding of various legal settings through a variety of legal specialty courses.
Law degree programs are typically designed to prepare students for one destination: law school. Legal studies, on the other hand, may be more suitable for students who are interested in studying law and legal services, but not necessarily interested in pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD).
Despite common misconception, the legal studies associate degree is not a law degree. Undergraduate law programs are generally designed to prepare students for law school, and they exist exclusively for this purpose. These programs often have earned approval from the American Bar Association as well.
While undergraduate legal studies majors certainly have the option to pursue a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, it’s worth noting that the legal studies degree does not exist solely for this purpose. Rather, this program was designed for students who are interested in any number of career paths in legal settings—including, but not limited to, becoming an attorney.
It is critical to recognize this key distinction before pursuing a legal studies program or degree in law. Law studies curricula are not necessarily equivalent to those of legal studies programs.
Not every undergraduate law degree is created equal. While similar to an associate degree in paralegal studies or a paralegal studies program, this particular legal studies program does have notable differences, as students gain knowledge in topics that extend well beyond paralegal procedures alone.
Legal Studies is an all-encompassing introduction to the legal field that includes—but is not limited to—paralegal procedures, legal terminology, real estate law, criminal justice, legal research and writing, civil litigation, and legal ethics.