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Earn Your Online Bachelor Degree From an Accredited Institution
Whether a university requires on-campus attendance or provides an online learning environment, its accreditation status signals to prospective students a consistency with established standards of quality against which all schools are measured.
Accreditation also determines a school’s eligibility to participate in financial aid programs, including federal student aid, military tuition assistance, and veteran benefits. Furthermore, accreditation may influence the ability to transfer credits to other accredited institutions, as well as admission to accredited graduate schools and/or law schools.
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. The Commission accredits degree-granting institutions across the country and is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Why Pursue This Online Legal Studies Degree?
This online bachelor of science program equips students with foundational knowledge of the American legal system—including our criminal and civil legal systems—and the processes in place for settling legal disputes. As a legal studies major, you will discuss the factors that influence law and criminal procedure. You will also examine the ongoing evolution of the legal field and deepen your knowledge of the basic principles guiding legal professionals.
Develop Legal Research and Advanced Legal Writing Skills
Your studies will help familiarize you with legal terminology and the ways in which legal processes are conducted through the U.S. court system. Coursework is designed to help foster the development of fundamental skills, including legal reasoning, legal research, and legal writing. In fact, you will learn how to draft several types of legal documents.
Additionally, you will analyze the connection between legal theory and practice while gaining an introduction to the following areas in which law firms and legal practitioners specialize:
- Constitutional law
- Contract law
- Criminal law
- Family law
- Substantive law
- Tort law
Analyze the Multifaceted American Legal System
Major-required courses for this online legal studies degree examine basic principles of the U.S. legal system and judicial process. Online students delve deep into the legislation, case law, and other parameters that inform and define a wide range of legal support services, ranging from matters of criminal law to civil disputes, business transactions, and more.
Learners are further encouraged to sharpen their critical thinking skills by engaging in discussions with faculty and classmates regarding the legal ethics and codes of conduct upheld by both the American Bar Association and each respective jurisdiction in which lawyers and judges operate.
Students also practice conducting legal research, a skill often employed by paralegals and legal assistants when preparing legal documents.
This online bachelor degree program is comprised of 120 total required credit hours. These credit hours are earned through completion of general education courses, major-required courses, electives, and degree concentration courses. Lastly, all senior-level students conclude their studies by completing either of the following:
- A legal studies capstone course
- A series of academic research-based essays and an audio-visual presentation
Is a Legal Studies Degree Worth It?
Earning a bachelor's degree in legal studies may prove worthwhile for those interested in understanding the legal terminology, legal concepts, and legal procedures that define our country’s legal system.
Furthermore, an education in this discipline could be a natural fit for learners who are passionate about—and motivated to improve—the limited access to justice that exists currently in our society.
Choose a Degree Program Concentration
In addition to acquiring broad knowledge of the U.S. legal system, students enrolled in this program have the opportunity to study niche legal principles and concepts—from international law to protecting intellectual property and more—by selecting a degree concentration, such as one of the following:
Legal Ethics
Students who select the Legal Ethics concentration will explore and react to a range of realistic legal situations surrounding ethical dilemmas. Through the application of technology, critical thinking, and legal analytic skills, learners will differentiate the factual, conceptual, ethical, and procedural elements involving ethical challenges and the law.
Criminal Law Support
Students who select the Criminal Law Support concentration will examine a range of realistic criminal law contexts while exercising their critical thinking and analytical skills. Coursework will cover the use of technology in finding legal solutions to criminal law-related challenges.
Legal Communications
The Legal Communications concentration focuses on the substantive legal and communications-related topics necessary for assisting lawyers in their public communications. Students will study the skills typically needed to ethically and capably deliver public communications about a variety of legal topics.
For more information about concentration requirements or to view the full list of concentration options, please consult the academic catalog.
How to Pay for This Online Legal Studies Degree Program
Each session, the cost of attendance will vary depending on several factors, including the total number of credit hours taken during that period.
Tuition and fees are due at the time of course registration, however, there are numerous ways to pay for this bachelor of science degree.
The U.S. Department of Education provides federal financial aid to eligible students in the form of loans and grants. While all loans must eventually be paid back, most federal grants do not. Alternatively, qualifying students may opt for loans provided by private lenders to help finance their studies.
The University also accepts funds awarded to students through private scholarship programs.
Students who do not require any form of tuition assistance may use the following payment methods to cover tuition and fees:
- Automatic debit plan (with 8- and 16-week schedule options)
- Credit cards
- Digital payments
- E-checks
Transfer Students May Receive Credit For Professional and Academic Experience
Whether this is your first time applying to a university or you’ve already completed an associate degree, you may be eligible to apply transfer credits toward this baccalaureate program.1 In fact, bachelor’s-level students may transfer up to 90 credit hours from qualifying academic and/or professional programs.
The University Awards Transfer Credits For The Following:
- Previously completed undergraduate study
- Military service and education
- Professional training and certification
- Credit awarded through examination
- Training completed through qualifying government agencies
- Public safety training
For more information about transferring credits or to request a $0 transfer credit evaluation, please visit the University’s transfer credit policy page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most baccalaureate degree programs (also commonly referred to as four-year degrees) require 120 total credit hours, which often include a combination of general education, electives, and major-required courses.
Whether a bachelor of arts (BA) or a bachelor of science (BS), a legal studies bachelor’s degree provides a comprehensive overview of the American legal system. Courses are often structured to foster critical thinking through open discussions of matters regarding legal ethics and the gray areas that fill the void between case law and statutory law.
Students pursuing this bachelor’s degree may expect to learn legal research techniques and acquire new legal writing skills.
The main difference between a BA and a BS in legal studies (or any other discipline) is the approach taken to the material. A BA program may focus on philosophical interpretations related to the discipline, whereas a BS program might instead be centered upon evidence-based findings.
Still, both baccalaureate legal studies degree programs may examine similar subject matter—such as legal concepts, legal ethics, and the framework of our legal system itself. Learners pursuing either degree may typically study both the criminal and civil legal systems while, at the same time, developing skills related to legal writing, legal research, and creating legal documents.
Nevertheless, it’s always wise to consult with an updated course catalog and/or an academic advisor for a detailed program overview prior to declaring a major.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those employed in these non-lawyer legal occupations are often responsible for organizing files, performing legal research, and drafting legal documents. Additionally, a paralegal or legal assistant may work in a law firm or law office and assist lawyers in preparing for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings.
Like a paralegal, a legal assistant is a professional in a non-lawyer legal career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70% of those employed in paralegal and legal assistant roles work for legal services firms. The other largest employers of these professionals include:
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
- Federal government
- Finance and insurance
- State government, excluding education and hospitals
Many universities that are not law schools offer undergraduate and master’s-level legal studies programs. According to the Law School Admission Council, however, graduate-level students have the option to attend law school to pursue a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, defines the Legal Studies Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) as “a program of study that focuses on law and legal issues from the perspective of the social sciences and humanities.” Conversely, the NCES’ CIP definition of Law is “a program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of law, for taking state and national bar examinations, and for advanced research in jurisprudence. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of the legal system, including the statutory, administrative, and judicial components of civil and criminal law.”
Therefore, it is worth noting that a legal studies degree alone does not sufficiently prepare students to practice law, however, undergraduates who intend to later pursue a juris doctor (JD) degree may find that the legal studies major provides a suitable introduction to basic principles of law, legal writing, and the American legal system.
NOTE: American Public University is not a law school.
American Public University offers undergraduate and master’s-level online programs. After completing this bachelor’s degree, you may wish to continue your education with a master’s degree in legal studies.
Alternatively, if you are considering becoming a licensed attorney, then pursuing a professional law degree from an American Bar Association-approved law school is a practical next step.
The practice of law is defined by state bar associations. Students must check with their respective state bar associations to learn more about attorney and non-lawyer legal professional licensing requirements.
According to the Law School Admission Council, learners interested in obtaining a law degree may wish to consider the following options:
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree
- Latin Legum Magister, also known as Master of Laws (LLM) degree
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree
- Juris Master (JM) degree