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Degrees BA in Legal Studies Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies The Legal Studies major is an interdisciplinary course of study that combines the theories and methods of several social science disciplines and of law. While not designed as a pre-law program, the goal is to develop an understanding of the nature, content, and operation of American law and legal institutions. A minimum total of 120 credits are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Legal Studies. Of this total, 30 credits make up the major, which is satisfied by taking courses to complete the (A) Core Requirements, (B) Legal Studies Electives, and (C) Outside Electives. At the right is an outline of these major course requirements. The remaining credits required for the degree are outlined on the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree." Some Legal Studies courses fulfill the CGS social sciences curriculum requirements. See the current time schedule of classes for specific information.

Curriculum (120 credits)
Many courses are offered in the evenings, on Saturdays, and at off-campus locations. Click here  to check the University schedule of classes for courses offered each term. (Not all courses are offered every term).

For course schedule and descriptions
 For most undergraduate classes offered by the School of Arts and Sciences, College of General Studies, and College of Business Administration, visit:
http://www.courses.as.pitt.edu/

A minimum total of 120 credits (approximately 30 courses) are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Legal Studies. Of this total, 30 credits (10 courses) make up the major which is satisfied by taking courses to complete the (A) Core Requirements, (B) Legal Studies Electives, and (C) Outside Electives. The remaining credits required for the degree are outlined on the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" sheet.
 

A. Core Requirements: 6 credits (two courses)

Legal Studies
LEGLST 0080 Introduction to Legal Studies 3 cr.

Legal Studies or Political Science
Choose one of the following:
LEGLST 1210 Law and Politics 3 cr.
PS 1213 Law and Politics 3 cr.

B. Legal Studies Electives: 18 credits
Choose six courses.
LEGLST 0020 Public Law and Moral Reasoning 3 cr.
LEGLST 1140 Introduction to Criminal Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1141 Introduction to Criminal Procedure 3 cr.
LEGLST 1150 Lawyers and the Legal Profession 3 cr.
LEGLST 1152 Legal Issues in Public Service 3 cr.
LEGLST 1155 Law and Social Change 3 cr.
LEGLST 1160 Comparative Judicial Processes 3 cr.
LEGLST 1230 Psychology and the Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1240 Anthropology of Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1260 Law, Literature, and Cinema 3 cr.
LEGLST 1261 Language and the Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1315 Sex, Law, and Marriage 3 cr.
LEGLST 1318 Separation, Divorce, and Custody* 3 cr.
LEGLST 1320 Law and Environment 3 cr.
LEGLST 1325 Consumer Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1326 Globalization and Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1327 International Law 3 cr.
LEGLST 1330 Law and Business Corporations 3 cr.
LEGLST 1340 Introduction to Civil Rights 3 cr.
LEGLST 1355 Emerging Issues in Legal and Social Policy 3 cr.
LEGLST 1410 Introduction to Legal Research 3 cr.
LEGLST 1900 Pre-service Internship 1-6 cr.
LEGLST 1901 Independent Study 1-6 cr.

*Note: Students may not receive credit for both LEGLST 1318 (8318) and SOC 1456 (8456)Separation, Divorce, and Custody.

C. Outside Electives:
6 credits

Choose two courses:
The final degree requirement is completion of six credits (two courses) from a list of approved electives outside of Legal Studies. The following represents approved elective courses from various departments.

Administration of Justice
ADMJ 0500 Introduction to Administration of Justice 3 cr.
ADMJ 1130 Minority Issues in Criminal Justice 3 cr.
ADMJ 1220 Deviance and the Law 3 cr.
ADMJ 1450 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 3 cr.

History
HIST 1163 Women and the Law 3 cr.
HIST 1190 Medieval Law, Society, and Politics 3 cr.
HIST 1191 English Origins of American Law 3 cr.
HIST 1690 American Legal History 3 cr.

Philosophy
PHIL 1390 Philosophy of Law 3 cr.

Political Science
PS 1211 The Legislative Process 3 cr.
PS 1614 Theory of Justice (Honors) 3 cr.

Psychology
PSY 0182 Law and Social Psychology 3 cr.

Public Service
PUBSRV 1135 Law for Public Administrators 3 cr.

Sociology
SOC 0471 Deviance and Social Control 3 cr.

Graduate School Option:
Students with a QPA of 3.5 or better planning to pursue graduate work may want to consider the graduate school option for early admission to their graduate program. Early admissions options for Legal Studies majors are offered by the University's Law School for its Masters of Studies in Law program and by the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Contact CGS for details.

Minor requirements:
Students interested in a minor, rather than a major, in Legal Studies should check with their academic consultant. For the minor, students must complete five courses (15 credits) with at least three courses from the University of Pittsburgh. A 2.0 average is required in the minor.

Minor courses:
LEGLST 0080 Introduction to Legal Studies 3 cr.
LEGLST electives 12 cr.

Career Opportunities

Careers in the following settings:

Requirements subject to change. Check with an academic consultant before registering.

Payment plans
MasterCard and American Express are accepted for tuition payment.

If employed, check with your company's human resources office to see if you qualify for company tuition benefits.

Deferred tuition payment plans are available for participants who wish to extend tuition payments over a longer period of time.

The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.

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Degree Options

Majors

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