Program Requirements

Legal Studies Major Requirements

The major consists of 36 credit hours (12 courses).

Legal Studies Program Requirements
Required courses (24)
ECON 250 Law and Economics
ENGL 271 Introduction to Legal Writing
POSC 210 P3 Law, Politics, and Society
POSC 212 Legal Research and Analysis
Choose one: POSC 252 Theories of Law
PHIL 260C P3 The Philosophy of Law
Choose one: POSC 332 Constitutional Law I: Government Powers
POSC 333 Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties – Civil Rights
POSC 398 Special Topics in Legal Studies
POSC 355 Issues in Lawyering
POSC 495 Internship
Electives (12)
Four electives chosen from the list below, at least one of which must at the 300 level or above.
Total (36)

Note: Course substitutions for the legal studies major can be made only after consultation with and approval of the department chair of political science and legal studies.

For students majoring in legal studies, all courses that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Electives

Course descriptions may be found under the associated disciplines.

Legal Studies Electives
ANTH 226 P2 Anthropology of Law
COMM 346 Media Law
ENGL 306 Law & Literature
PHIL 260C P3 The Philosophy of Law
PHIL 340 Philosophy and Jurisprudence
POSC 217 The American Jury
POSC 252 Theories of Law
POSC 253 Legal Realism: Old & New
POSC 254 Criminal Courts and Trials
POSC 267 P3 Foundations of U.S. Law
POSC 292 P2 American Political Thought
POSC 326 Judicial Behavior
POSC 328 New York State Civil Procedures
POSC 332 Constitutional Law I: Government Powers
POSC 333 Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties – Civil Rights
POSC 398 Special Topics in Legal Studies
PSYC 164 P3 The Legal Mind
SPST 240 Sport Law
STAT 160 P4 Introduction to Data Science

Required Courses for Legal Studies Majors pursuing the 3+3 Legal Education Admission Program (LEAP)

Legal studies majors interested in the 3+3 Legal Education Admission Program should refer to the Pre-law Experience section. Upon acceptance into the program and in consultation with their legal studies advisor, LEAP students are to complete the following requirements for legal studies:

LEAP Required Courses
Required Courses (21)
ECON 250 Law and Economics
ENGL 271 Introduction to Legal Writing
POSC 210 P3 Law, Politics, and Society
POSC 212 Legal Research and Analysis
Choose one: POSC 252 Theories of Law
PHIL 260C P3 The Philosophy of Law
POSC 355 Issues in Lawyering
Choose one: POSC 495 Internship
300 level POSC elective
Law School Transfer Credits (15)
15 law school credits in transfer (grades of C or higher)
Total (36)

Note: Course substitutions for the legal studies major can be made only after consultation with and approval of the department chair of political science and legal studies.