| Students select one of three areas of concentration for the elective portion of the program. The concentrations consist of five courses that focus on a specific approach to the field of legal studies. Course selection is made with the assistance of the program adviser. Only the paralegal studies concentration is designed to prepare students to become paralegals. | |
Public Affairs | |
| Dispute Resolution | |
| Paralegal Studies | |
Concentration in Public Affairs | |
| The public affairs concentration analyzes the application of law to public policy concerns, while developing critical thinking, legal research, and writing skills. Government regulation, multicultural issues, vulnerable populations, international law, and emerging issues are emphasized. This concentration is designed to prepare students for further education in law school, graduate school, or for careers in law-related fields and regulatory affairs in federal, state, or local governments, business, industry, and non-profit organizations. | |
Concentration Requirements | |
| PA 404 | Public Policy Analysis |
| Plus four of the following or related courses as approved by program advisor: | |
| LS 401 | Alternative Dispute Resolution: Models and Practice |
| LS 405 | Environmental Law |
| LS 410 | Counter-terrorism and the Law |
| LS 430 | Cyberlaw |
| CJ 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| CJ 102 | Criminal Law |
| CJ 209 | Correctional Treatment Programs |
| CJ 210 | Ethnic and Gender Issues in Criminal Justice |
| CJ 221 | Juvenile Justice System |
| CJ 400 | Criminal Justice Problems Seminar |
| CJ 413 | Victim Law and Service Administration |
| CO 420 | Communication and the Law |
| MR 330 | Coastal Resources Management |
| PS 216 | Urban Government and Politics |
| PS 224 | Public Attitudes and Public Policy |
| PS 228 | Public Interest Groups |
| PS 230 | Anglo-American Jurisprudence |
| PS 231 | Judicial Behavior |
| PS 232 | The Politics of the First Amendment |
| Plus eight electives | |
Concentration in Dispute Resolution | |
| Students in the dispute resolution concentration will explore alternative methods for resolving disputes traditionally resolved through the civil or criminal legal systems. This concentration provides students with an understanding of the theories and practices of alternative dispute resolution and an introduction to practical skills in negotiation, mediation, and facilitation. Graduates are prepared for law-related, alternative dispute resolution careers in the judicial system, government agencies and the private sector, or for further education in law school or graduate school. | |
| |
| LS 401 | Alternative Dispute Resolution: Models and Practice |
| Plus four of the following, or related courses, as approved by program advisor: | |
| CO 100 | Human Communication (Must be in addition to course selected to fulfill common course requirement for the major) |
| CO 410 | Management Communication Seminar |
| CO 205 | Intercultural Communication |
| P 321 | Social Psychology |
| SW 340 | Group Dynamics |
| Plus eight electives | |
Concentration in Paralegal Studies | |
| This concentration prepares students for careers as paralegals in private law firms, government agencies, or corporations. Graduates may pursue employment in law-related areas of the insurance industry, banking and securities, businesses, nonprofits, or in federal, state, or local government. A paralegal performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. Concentration electives allow students to focus on areas such as investigations, criminal law, general civil law, or law and financial issues. As part of a high-quality liberal arts education, the concentration will also enable students to pursue broad career opportunities or graduate school. Development of critical thinking, research, and writing abilities is emphasized, along with practical paralegal skills. | |
Concentration Requirements | |
| LS 239 | Civil Procedure II: Litigation |
| Plus four of the following, or related courses, as approved by program advisor: | |
| LS 226 | Family Law |
| LS 244 | Estates and Trusts |
| LS 326 | Real Estate Law: Property and Conveyancing |
| LS 430 | Cyberlaw |
| CJ 100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| CJ 102 | Criminal Law |
| CJ 201 | Principles of Criminal Investigation |
| FOR 215 | Introduction to Forensic Science |
| FOR 415 | Crime Scene Investigation and Pattern Evidence |
| CJ 420 | Advanced Investigative Techniques |
| LA 101 | Business Law and the Regulatory Environment |
| A 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting |
| A 112 | Introductory Accounting II |
| A 435 | Federal Income Taxation I |
Plus eight electives | |