Bachelor of Science In Legal Studies

"From the moment I stepped on campus at the University of New Haven I immediately felt at home," said Keelin Herbst ’17, who’s now pursuing her J.D. at George Mason University and interning with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. "The care and attention that is given to each student is what ultimately made my decision."

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Learn to Make a Case

Law governs our society, from the sublime principles in the U.S. Constitution through the regulations that govern the food we eat and the water we drink. But with laws, also come disputes.

Today, there are forms of dispute resolution that didn’t exist years ago. To further complicate things, globalization is blurring the lines between national and international law. Legal policy is going to shape the future. The goal of our legal studies programs is to prepare you for every success in it.

Mission and Outcomes

Make the program uniquely yours.

Your program is flexible and interdisciplinary.

  • You can combine your legal studies with programs in other areas such as criminal justice, business, accounting, political science, psychology, or global studies.
  • A two-semester internship in your final year lets you back up your classroom learning with on-the-job experience, which opens up more employment doors for you.
  • Want to see the world? An international track lets you study for a semester abroad to satisfy concentration requirements.
Choose your path

What are your interests and career goals?

If you’re a pre-law student planning on attending law school or graduate school in another field, choose either of these bachelor’s degree concentrations:

  • Public Affairs
  • Dispute Resolution

If you're interested in a career in conflict resolution or mediation, choose:

  • Dispute Resolution

If you’re interested in a paralegal* career, pick one of the American Bar Association-approved options:

  • Bachelor’s Degree Concentration in Paralegal Studies
  • Associate Degree in Legal Studies
  • Paralegal Certificate Program

*A paralegal performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney who is responsible for the paralegal’s work. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Meet Our Faculty

Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$78K

Administrative Analyst

3% Growth 2017-2027

$90K

Contract Manager

11% Growth 2017-2027

$49K

Commercial Paralegal

9% Growth 2017-2027

Selected Courses and Programs

  • An introduction to legal research and writing. Students will learn to find and use primary and secondary legal authority in the law library and computerized legal research databases to solve legal research problems and assignments. Further study of legal reasoning and case and statutory analysis.

  • Study of legal ethics, including codes of professional responsibility and the legal professional’s responsibilities in different types of organizations and occupational settings. Analysis and discussion of case studies and role playing.

  • Examines skills needed to conduct investigations that are a routine part of the practice of law, such as principles of fact-gathering in a wide range of cases (e.g., criminal, divorce, custody, housing).

  • Study of the basic principles of law for government agencies, structure of federal and Connecticut agencies, and major laws governing these agencies, including the state and federal Administrative Procedure Acts and Freedom of Information Acts. Overview of the role of legal professionals in administrative practice with practical applications.

  • The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Bachelor of Sciences in Legal Studies, check out the Academic Catalog:

°µÍø½ûÇø Advantage

Get an inside look at what differentiates the University of New Haven and how your experiences as a student will prepare you for success.

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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Next Steps

  • Whether you're still in high school or are transferring from another college, we offer full- and part-time opportunities for undergraduates from inside the U.S. and abroad. The admission process can begin as early as the end of your high school junior year.

    The Application Process

  • We offer a comprehensive financial aid program, with students receiving assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment. Funds are available from federal and state governments, private sponsors, and from university resources. More than 85 percent of the University's full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.

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