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Undergraduate

Legal Studies

The Legal Studies Program is an interdisciplinary field of study composed of law courses from: the departments of criminal justice, political science, history and sociology; and the schools of business, education, and engineering.

Why Saint Martin's University?

Saint Martin's offers a minor in legal studies as a complement to such degree programs as criminal justice, political science and psychology. As part of the minor, students interested in law school will benefit from counseling and guidance from a pre-law advisor.

The rigor of the Legal Studies Program at Saint Martin’s provides students with an experience comparable to the first year of law school. Participants investigate:

  • The interrelationship of law and society
  • The protection of civil liberties
  • The constitutional rules that govern criminal law
  • The regulations and legal principles that operate in the business context
  • Modern laws that protect the environment

Research and internships

Legal studies participants may:

  • Intern in public or private law offices
  • Pursue independent study on legal topics of interest
  • Elect to write a senior capstone on legal issues through a related major in criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology, history, or political science.

Legal Studies Requirements

Required courses (9 credit hours)

  • LS 101: The Legal Environment and Ethics
  • CJ/PLS 430: Constitutional Safeguards and Individual Liberties
  • CJ 304: Law and Evidence

Elective courses (12 credit hours) 

Must select 12 credit hours from the following:

  • HIS/PLS 378: American Constitutional Development
  • BUS 225: Business Law I
  • BUS 226: Business Law II
  • CJ/PLS 420: Philosophy of Law
  • CJ/PLS 379: Judicial Process
  • CJ/SOC 410: Law and Society
  • CJ 460: Criminal Law/Criminal Procedure
  • ED 371: Educational Law
  • SED 467: Legal Issues and IFSP/IEP
  • GE 359: Ethics, Law, & Economics in Engineering Practice
  • LS 395: Special Topics in Legal Studies
  • LS 397: Directed Readings in Legal Studies

Legal Studies at a Glance

Program Type
Minor
Campus
Main (Lacey)
Type of Instruction
Hybrid
In Person
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Resources
What can I do with this major?
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Transformative outcomes

Career paths

  • Legal clinics
  • Law firms
  • Non-profit and public interest organizations
  • State agencies
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Supportive community

Faculty

Contact us

College of Arts and Sciences

Spanning the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, and characterized by an educational environment that is both rigorous and supportive, the College of Arts and Sciences offers 20 undergraduate major programs and 20 minor programs.

Next steps

Apply to Saint Martin's