B.S. Legal Studies
Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Programs
Key Information
Campus location
Fort Lauderdale, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 33,510
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Learn Skills that Will Give You the Edge to Apply to Law School or Pursue a Career in Public Affairs
Interested in law school, politics, or public affairs? With a Legal Studies major, you’ll develop a firm understanding of the law. Enthusiastic professors inspire you to develop strong communication skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of the social and political context of legal issues.
Explore philosophy to build analytical and logical thinking skills and examine argumentation, politics, and ethics to understand their functions in law. The rigorous curriculum of the Legal Studies program provides the foundation you need in pre-law and international law coursework. You can pursue a practical internship outside of the classroom and take advanced courses focusing on issues such as First Amendment rights and war crimes.
The legal studies major is truly interdisciplinary with elements of communication, philosophy, history, political science, and international studies. Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law provides exceptional resources including programs that offer interaction with judges, attorneys, public officials, and other pivotal figures in the legal community. Workshops and seminars hosted by the Department of Humanities and Politics pre-law program prepare students for acceptance into law school.
Why Should You Major in Legal Studies at NSU?
- Benefit from a dedicated pre-law program designed to help you succeed and prepare you for law school.
- Get real-world experience in your community through the pre-law alumni mentorship program and internships with local law firms.
- Participate in LSAT prep and apply to Law School workshops.
- Become a member of NSU’s undergraduate chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta national pre-law fraternity.
- Learn from faculty with both excellent academic credentials and practical experience in the law.
- Gain simulated courtroom experience by participating in regional and national competitions with the Mock Trial Team.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Core Courses
- The United States: From Settlement to Superpower
- The West: Patricians, Serfs, and Citizens or The World: From Gatherers to Globalization
- Constitutional History I
- Constitutional History II
- Introduction to Legal Studies
- Comparative Legal Systems
- Legal Research and Trial Advocacy
- International Law
- American Government and Politics
- Comparative Government
- Argument and Debate
Philosophy Menu
Logic (select 3 credits from the following courses):
- Introduction to Logic
- Symbolic Logic
Value Inquiry (select 3 credits from the following courses):
- Ethical Issues in Communication
- Biomedical Ethics or Biomedical Ethics Honors
- Ethics and Sport
- Environmental Ethics
- Philosophy of Law
- Social and Political Philosophy
Systematic Area of Philosophy (select 3 credits from the following):
- Philosophy of Science
- Gods and Chariots
- Revolution and Ideology
- Capstone: Knowledge and Reality
Advanced Major Electives
Select 6 credits from the following courses:
- Environmental Law and Policy
- The First Amendment
- Crime and the Constitution
- Judicial Politics and Process
- Individual Rights and the Law
- War Crimes
- Special Topics in Legal Studies
- Internship in Legal Studies
Experiential Learning/Internships
During your undergraduate studies, you’ll have a number of mentorship opportunities and both simulated and real-world law experiences. You’ll have opportunities to work with practicing attorneys and judges as part of the Mock Trial team. You can also earn hands-on experience as an intern with local law firms and organizations such as J.K. Closing Real Estate Attorneys, the Immigration Law Offices of Richard A. Hujber, and the Legal Aid Service of Broward County.
As part of the pre-law mentorship program, you can visit the law firm of 1995 Legal Studies alumnus John Stevens, Stevens & Goldwyn PA to interact with attorneys and legal professionals who will provide guidance on how to forge a career in the law.
Career Opportunities
Prepare for Law School
With a Legal Studies degree, you have a lot of flexibility in the job location. You can also devote your career to an area of law you’re interested in (e.g. corporate, family planning, litigation, etc.) or pursue other careers in government settings. A bachelor’s degree in legal studies prepares students for law school and an array of related professions in trade, politics, business, public affairs, and public service. Besides law school, graduates of the program also consider other graduate programs in politics, management, international affairs, and nonprofit operations.
Average Starting Salary
The average salary for lawyers in May 2019 was $122,960 (requires an advanced degree).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Shark Destinations
You’ll find NSU Legal Studies alumni all around the country, practicing law and working in public service, non-profit, and the private sector. Some companies you’ll find our alumni at include Law Offices of Jason Turchin and Universal Court Reporting, Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg LLP, BDO USA, and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. * They also work in a variety of fields including government sector, corporate, business, and real estate law.
*Data provided by NSU’s Office of Career Development