2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Legal Studies
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212 Minné Hall
507.457.5400
Legal Studies website
Faculty
Gregory Richard, Associate Professor; BA, MA, University of Louisiana at Lafayette; JD, BCL, Louisiana State University; PhD, University of Mississippi; 2013 -
Purpose
The purpose of the Legal Studies Program is to enable students to develop both intellectual and professional skills in the law. The program is designed to meet the needs of students wishing to enter into a career that demands knowledge of and experience with legal systems and institutions. This includes careers working for law firms, government agencies, insurance companies, banking institutions, and nonprofit agencies. It also serves as an excellent preparation for law school.
The program is an interdisciplinary program within the College of Liberal Arts that develops skills in legal research, writing and investigation alongside a deeper understanding of the substance, politics and history of the law. The WSU Legal Studies Program is a four-year American Bar Association approved paralegal program.
Note: Graduates of the program may not provide legal services directly to the public except under the supervision of a practicing attorney or as provided by law.
Admission Requirements
A high school diploma and admission to WSU are required for admission to the program. It is recommended candidates for admission be in the upper half of the class or have a score of at least 20 on the ACT. Students wishing to enter or transfer into the program must seek advising from the Director of the Legal Studies Program.
Legal Studies Phases
The Legal Studies Program has three phases:
Phase I - Interdisciplinary Foundations: These courses address topics related to the U.S. legal system in a variety of academic disciplines, ranging from history and political science to business and accounting.
Phase II - Legal Specialty Courses: These courses concentrate on specific aspects of the legal profession. Legal specialty courses are offered in sequence. LGLS 101 - Introduction to American Law must be taken as the first course in the sequence.
Phase III - Concentration or Minor: Students select from one of 5 concentrations: Business and Intellectual Property Organizations; Domestic Relations; Litigation Practice; Criminal Law and Systems; and Government and Non-Governmental Organizations. A student may instead complete a minor to complete the Legal Studies major.
Additional Course and GPA Requirements
- Students are required to have substantially completed their General Education Program requirements and Phase II requirements before they enroll in the Legal Specialty courses. They also must have the academic advisor’s approval.
- Except for Legal Research, transfer students cannot substitute a 100/200-level legal specialty course taken at another school for a similar course at a 300/400-level at WSU.
- Coursework below a C grade in legal specialty courses does not count toward completion of the Legal Studies Major.
For a checklist of the University’s graduation requirements, see Academic Policies & University Requirements .
Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses
Except for the Legal Studies Internship and Institute, no classes taken on a P/NC basis can be used to satisfy any specific course requirements of the Legal Studies Program or coursework in the options.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceMinor
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