Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Law Studies

Law Studies creates firm foundation for those students who plan to attend law school.

Bachelor of Science in Law Studies professor teaching class to a diverse group of students.

About this Program

The Law Studies Degree at The University of Mississippi serves as a firm foundation for students who plan to attend law school.

Law Studies Majors prepare for the fast-paced and rapidly growing paralegal career field, honing the skills and attributes employers are looking for.

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    Program Information

    Program Type

    Major

    Minor

    Area of Study

    Social Sciences, Law, and Policy

    Duration

    8 semesters

    Degree

    B.S.L.S. in Law Studies

    Emphases

    B.S.L.S. 3+3 Accelerated Law;
    B.S.L.S. Law Studies

    Required Credit Hours

    42 hours

    Degree Requirements

    Students interested in a Bachelor of Science in Law Studies can choose between a law or a paralegal emphasis. For a full description of course requirements, please visit the online catalog.

    The law studies program is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career as a paralegal or legal assistant.

    MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 120

    GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

    See the General Education Core Curriculum for the School of Applied Sciences. Students in the law studies major are allowed to take Math 120 to fulfill the College Algebra math requirement. Law studies students are also allowed to take CJ 202 in order to fulfill their statistics requirement.

    An additional 3 hours is required in the following related subject: Pol 101 (3 hours).

    COURSE REQUIREMENTS

    The B.S. in law studies degree requires the following 30 semester hours of LA courses:

    OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

    For majors in this field, a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 must be maintained on all law studies coursework.

    Emphasis - Accelerated Law (3+3)

    DESCRIPTION

    Under this emphasis, the student’s fourth-year requirements are satisfied by successfully completing first-year law school classes at the University of Mississippi School of Law. The student must meet the School of Law’s requirements for admittance to this special program, which are established each year based on the previous year’s data on the grade-point averages and (Law School Admission Test) scores for students admitted to the School of Law. A student who chooses this emphasis but does not meet those requirements must switch to one of the other emphases. No minor is required for this emphasis, but students will be encouraged to develop a minor-like concentration so they do not get caught short in the event they have to switch to the other emphasis, which requires a minor.

    COURSE REQUIREMENTS

    In addition to the 30-hour law studies core, students who select the paralegal emphasis must complete the following 12 hours of LA coursework:

    The remaining courses will be completed after admission to the UM School of Law:

    DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

    The academic regulations for this degree program, as entered in the University of Mississippi Catalog, are in effect for the current or selected academic year and semester. The University of Mississippi reserves the right to 1) change or withdraw courses; 2) change rules for registration, instruction, and graduation; and 3) change other regulations affecting the student body at any time.

    The legal studies program with a paralegal emphasis is designed for the student who wishes to pursue a career as a paralegal or legal assistant.

    MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 120

     

    GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

    See the General Education Core Curriculum for the School of Applied Sciences. Students in the law studies major are allowed to take Math 120 Quantitative Reasoning to fulfill the College Algebra math requirement. Law studies students are also allowed to take CJ 202 Statistics in Criminal Justice in order to fulfill their statistics requirement.

    An additional 3 hours is required in the following related subject: Pol 101 Introduction to American Politics.

    COURSE REQUIREMENTS

    The B.S. in law studies degree requires the following 30 semester hours of LA courses:

    OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

    For majors in this field, a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 must be maintained on all law studies coursework.

    Emphasis - Law Studies

    DESCRIPTION

    The paralegal emphasis will provide students with the experiences, knowledge, and skills for careers as paralegals.

    COURSE REQUIREMENTS

    In addition to the 30-hour law studies core, students who select the paralegal emphasis must complete the following 24 hours of LA coursework:

    OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

    All students in the paralegal emphasis must choose a minor. The legal studies minor will not be allowed for paralegal studies majors.

    General electives may be needed to meet the degree requirement of 120 college credit hours.

    The Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies offers an accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program for law studies majors currently admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (B.S.C.J.). This program offers our outstanding, advanced undergraduate students the opportunity to begin earning credit towards their graduate degree while they complete the final requirements for the undergraduate degree. 

    How many credit hours can I take towards a graduate degree while completing my undergraduate studies?

    12 credits. Students can take up to 2 graduate level courses per semester during their senior year. 

    What graduate courses can I take while in the 4+1 program? 

    • CJ 600: Criminal Justice Administration
    • CJ 601: Criminal Justice Statistics
    • CJ 602: Criminal Justice Research Methods
    • CJ 624: Theories of Criminal Behavior
    • CJ 620: Criminal Justice in American Society: Policy & Practice
    • CJ 621: Seminar in Law Enforcement
    • CJ 622: Seminar in Courts and Sentencing
    • CJ 623: Seminar in Corrections
    • CJ 641: Transnational Crime

    What are the eligibility requirements?

    Students will typically apply to the 4+1 program during their final semester of their junior year to start taking graduate level classes in their senior year of undergraduate studies. Students are welcome to apply as long as they have at least one semester of undergraduate coursework remaining. 

    Students interested in pursuing the 4+1 accelerated degree program, must meet the following eligibility requirements:

    • Be a Criminal Justice major
    • Must have completed 90 credit hours of undergraduate coursework completed
    • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
    • Completion of Criminal Justice Communications (CJ 322) or Advanced Composition (Writ 250) (or equivalent writing course) with a minimum grade of B. 

    How do I get admitted to the 4+1 program?

    Interested students should first meet with the graduate program advisor, Dr. Kimberly Kaiser and the undergraduate advisor, Ms. Susan Tyler, to review their eligibility for the program. 

    Students must be accepted into a Launch PAAD and complete the requisite GradSHARK Launch PAAD Application Form for the Graduate School (the form requires approval from your undergraduate advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator for the area of graduate study you intend to pursue). After the student is accepted into the Launch PAAD, the student will need to complete the GradSHARK Launch PAAD Course Enrollment Form each term (students will not officially be registered for graduate courses until this form is complete).    

    For more information about participation in the GradSHARK Launch PAAD, guidelines, financial aid and available areas of study, please see the GradSHARK Launch PAAD homepage.

    A minor in law studies consists of 18 credit hours in law studies courses including the following required courses:

    Students must also take 2 additional LA courses at the 300 level or above.

    A minimum grade of C- is required in all courses for the minor. Criminal Justice majors can minor in Law Studies.

    What does Law Studies look like in the job market?

    58K

    Median income for Paralegal in 2022.

    73K

    Median income for Jury Consultants in 2022.

    54K

    Median income for Legal Secretaries in 2022.

    Connect with a Law Studies major

    Aliyah Diers

    Aliyah Diers

    Asked by Meghan

    Why did you choose UM?

    See Aliyah’s Answer
    Skyler Lindsey

    Skyler Lindsey

    Asked by Emma G.

    When did you decide your major?

    See Skyler’s Answer

    What jobs can you get with a law studies degree?

    • Law Enforcement Officer
    • Court Reporter
    • Legal Process Server
    • Paralegal
    • Legal Assistant
    • Jury Consultant
    • Law Librarian
    • Mediator

    Law Studies Scholarships

    Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 distributed over the fall and spring semester. Check out the scholarships available to Law Studies Majors below!

    Robert Langley Memorial Scholarship Endowment

    • Criteria: The recipient shall be a full time Criminal Justice/Law Studies, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 2.25.
    • Selection Process: Committee comprised of the Dean, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department Chair, and Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

    Chief Richard Michael Popernik and Joan Grisham Popernik Legal Studies Scholarship Endowment

    • Criteria: The recipient shall be a full time Junior or Senior Criminal Justice and Law Studies major.
    • Selection Process: Recipients shall be selected based on academic excellence, community involvement, integrity, and commitment to the program. Selection shall be made by a committee which consists of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies chair, Criminal Justice and Legal Studies professors and Joan Popernik or her designee in consultation with the Dean of the School of Applied Sciences.

    Columbus B. Hopper Scholarship Endowment

    • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a full time Criminal Justice/Law Studies major, classified as a senior for the fall semester prior to applying.  Minimum GPA of 3.75.
    • Selection Process:  Recipients will be selected by the department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty scholarship committee and approved by the Department Chair.
    • Deadline: Application must be submitted by February 1.

    Robert T. Warren Outstanding Criminal Justice Student Award Endowment

    • Criteria:  The recipient shall be a Criminal Justice/Law Studies major.
    • Selection Process:  Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.  Selections shall be made by a committee which consist of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

    Professor Bill Luckett Law Studies Endowment

    • Criteria:  The recipient shall be Law Studies major.
    • Selection Process:  Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.  Selections shall be made by a committee, which consists of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies faculty.

    Law Studies Scholarship Application Information

    Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 to apply for Criminal Justice Scholarships. Some scholarships may have more rigorous GPA requirements. 

    To start their application process, students must complete the Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Scholarship Application. 

    Students must submit a one-page essay that outlines the reasons why they are applying for the scholarship.

    • Many scholarships require proof of financial need. Students should complete and submit the FAFSA.
    • Selection and awarding of the scholarships will take place on or before May 1 of each year.

    Students must also include an unofficial transcript to their application (found on myOleMiss.)

    All scholarship applications will be reviewed by a Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Awards Committee.
    • Applicants are judged on scholarly achievement, extracurricular activities, essay summary and financial need or the selection process specified by the specific scholarship.

    If selected to receive a scholarship, the recipient must write a thank you letter for the scholarship donor before the scholarship can go into effect. Instructions will be sent by email.

    • Recipient must be enrolled for the fall semester, following application.

    Remember: Students can only submit one (1) application per academic year. 

    If students have any questions about the application process they can contact the Department of Criminal Justice.

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    We're here for you!

    We are here to answer any questions you may have about a degree in Law Studies.

    Susan Tyler

    Academic Advisor, Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies

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