The Master of Arts in Legal Studies offers you a better understanding of the law. This degree program will aid you in understanding the complex societal challenges associated with the public’s ability to access justice. This program is not intended for practicing law, but rather to build upon your existing knowledge of the law by further expanding your comprehension of legal doctrines, legal concepts, and workplace legal issues. By equipping you for ethical service and leadership, this master’s degree helps prepare you to deepen your knowledge of the law and ethical issues.
Note: Although some states do not require a Juris Doctor degree for Bar entry, this program does not prepare you for the practice of law or admission to the Bar of any state based solely on your completion of this program.
Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:
- Integrate legal research and writing skills into a variety of communications.
- Facilitate the creation of new solutions to complex societal legal problems through critical thinking and analysis.
- Design innovative legal solutions with technology.
Degree at a Glance
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 24 | |
| Major Requirements | 6 | |
| Final Program Requirements | 3 | |
| Elective Requirements | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 36 | |
Degree Program Requirements
Core Requirements (24 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LSTD502 | Criminal Law 1 | 3 |
| LSTD503 | Criminal Justice Process | 3 |
| LSTD504 | Methods of Legal Research and Writing I | 3 |
| LSTD505 | Methods of Legal Research and Writing II | 3 |
| LSTD506 | Property Law | 3 |
| LSTD508 | Contract Law | 3 |
| LSTD509 | Tort Law | 3 |
| LSTD510 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 24 | |
| 1 | Required as the first course in this program. |
Major Requirements (6 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Legal & Ethical Issues in Management | ||
| Nonprofit Law, Governance, and Ethics | ||
| Emergency Management and Public Law | ||
| Ethics and Legal Issues in Online Learning | ||
| Education Law, Ethics, and Politics | ||
| Environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law | ||
| Employment Law and Labor Relations | ||
| International Law | ||
| Immigration Law | ||
| Homeland Security and the Law | ||
| Law, Ethics and Cybersecurity | ||
| Sports Law | ||
| Law and Public Policy | ||
| Judicial Politics, Process, and Policy Making | ||
| Space Law | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 6 | |
Final Program Requirements (3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LSTD699 | Legal Studies Capstone 1 | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 | |
| 1 | Taken once all other requirements have been met. |
Elective Requirements (3 semester hours)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select any graduate courses not already taken to fulfill the requirements listed above. | 3 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 3 | |