Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Gain a Solid Foundation in Legal Principles and Practice with a Legal Studies Degree from Gannon University
Gannon University’s legal studies program prepares you to enter the legal field equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competency to become a valued and respected member of the legal profession. Leverage your success through options to pursue a four-year bachelor’s degree, two-year associate’s degree, or certificate option, based on your identified professional needs. Enter a field where impactful opportunities abound in many areas of law
- Experience internship opportunities with banks, corporations, courts, insurance companies, law firms, or others located near campus.
- Accelerate your education through a Legal Studies 3+3 program option with Duquesne University Law School.
- Engage in interesting coursework that leads to a variety of careers in legal and related disciplines.
Inspire Your Academic Success
Gain real-world knowledge through key legal studies courses including:
Legal Research and Writing II: Learn the fundamental principles of case analysis and the preparation of case briefs and legal memorandums.
Public Records Research and Title Abstracts: Study the theory and practice of completing courthouse civil and criminal records, research, and real estate title abstracts.
Mock Trial: Learn the fundamentals of evidence law and employ legal reasoning and argument in the context of hands-on trial advocacy.
Learn to Lead the Way in Legal Studies
- Build a strong foundation of specialty legal courses that provide practical and highly sought-after skills in interviewing, investigation, legal research, and preparation of legal documents.
- Choose from a variety of core and elective courses to suit your life and career goals.
- Learn to perform specifically delegated and substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Understand the structure of the State and Federal court system.
- Understand the differences between civil and criminal practice.
- Analyze (by briefing) reported legal opinions.
- Research legal problems using primary and secondary resources.
- Write clear, effective legal memoranda, using proper citation form, and write with good grammar and spelling skills.
- Conduct effective interviews with clients and witnesses.
- Understand the procedure in a civil suit and draft appropriate pleadings.
- Be familiar with basic concepts of business organizations and contract law.
- Recognize the ethical standards of the paralegal profession.
Achieve the Possibilities
Our legal studies program is designed for your success. Through curriculum flexibility and high-quality educational opportunities, you can:
- Develop the foundations necessary to gain acceptance into law schools including the University of West Virginia School of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Duquesne University School of Law, and more.
- Master critical thinking and analytical skills, which are necessary for an array of careers with insurance companies, law firms, private investigator offices, district attorneys, banks, hospital administration, and more.
- Earn an average annual wage of $122,960 for lawyers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.