The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree program has been created to help you prepare for the rigors of law school or enhance your chance of success in an existing or future career in business, government, health care, or the service industry.* Individuals who plan to attend law school may benefit from a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree. It offers a solid foundation in theory and application of the law and a broad selection of elective courses that introduce many of the concepts typically covered in more depth at law school. You may wish to consider this program if you are interested in improving or changing your current career status. And, you may customize the program to emphasize a particular business or industry. Individuals with an associate's degree who wish to advance into a position requiring a higher level of legal knowledge should also consider this program.

 Program Highlights 

This Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program offers a practical curriculum, specialized elective options, and rigorous capstone requirements (choose an internship, thesis, or comprehensive exam). It also emphasizes:

  • Development of practical and analytical skills demanded in law school
  • Improvement in areas of reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and effective communication and other practical skills necessary to compete in today's job market
  • Obtaining an historical and philosophical perspective on the American legal system
  • The value and reach of law in business, everyday life, and contemporary American society

A Fast Track to a Master’s Degree

Eligible students in this bachelor's degree program who want to continue on to pursue a master's degree within the School of Criminal Justice or School of Legal Studies may be interested in the accelerated master's degree option. Students complete graduate-level courses within this undergraduate plan of study. Once accepted to the master’s degree program, students transfer in the graduate courses and matriculate into a shortened degree plan. This accelerated option allows students to complete both their bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. Accelerated options are offered for the following programs:

Qualification for accelerated options is subject to eligibility requirements. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

  

If you are interested in pursuing a legal career in the health care industry—which is predicted to generate more jobs over the next decade than any other industry†—you may focus your Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program with an emphasis in health care.

 Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies 

    Courses Credits
    Communication Elective 5
    Mathematics Elective 5
    Communication Elective 5
    Arts and Humanities Elective 6
    Physical Science Elective 6
    Social Science Elective 6
    Courses Credits
    Eight Skills of the Effective Legal Studies Student 5
    Software Applications 5
    Introduction to Law 5
    Constitutional Law 5
    Law and Society 6
    Legal Philosophy 6
    Introduction to Torts 5
    Introduction to Legal Research 5
    Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing 5
    Legal Ethics 5
    Major Elective 5
    Major Electives 24
    One
    BSLS Capstone (Internship Option) 6
    BSLS Capstone (Research Option)
    Total Program Requirements 180

 Already Have Credits or Work Experience? 

If you have already earned a degree or significant credits from a regionally or nationally accredited college, you may qualify for our Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program. Pick up where you left off and earn your degree from Kaplan University in as little as two years. Speak to an Admissions Advisor or refer to our University Catalog for details about our Transfer of Credit policy.

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

This program is designed to help prepare you for a career as an arbitrator, mediator, patent agent, title examiner, legislative assistant, lobbyist, political office holder, corporate executive, journalist, abstractor, claims examiner, compliance and enforcement inspector, occupational and safety health worker, legal psychology expert, or jury consultant.†

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$371.00
Total program requirements180
Total cost of tuition$66,780.00

This program requires a $100.00 technology fee per term. Effective June 5, 2010, a minimum tuition deposit, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, is required at the time of enrollment. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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*While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate or doctoral programs.

†Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.