The Master of Arts with a Major in Legal Studies will allow students to increase their level of competency in selected areas while giving them an in-depth understanding of both underlying theory and practical applications of law. The program emphasizes analytical and conceptual thinking, legal research and writing, the evolution of various legal theories, substantive areas of law, and the role of law in society. It also allows students to take courses in a variety of departments throughout the University so that students may develop a solid knowledge base in selected concentrations such as Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal Administration, and Environmental Law.

Legal Studies Booklet


Curriculum 

 

The Master of Arts with a Major in Legal Studies requires a total of 36 semester credit hours including a cumulative research project, an oral comprehensive examination, and an internship. The 21 hours of required courses are as follows:

 

 

Students may select any 15 hours out of the following elective courses:

 

Students may select a concentration, however, this is not required and most choose the MA General Studies. 

 

 

Prescribed electives:

 

POSI 5376                 Alternative Dispute Resolution

POSI 5390                 Administrative Law

POSI 5391                 Family Law

PSY   5317                Group Processes and Interpersonal Dynamics

                               (or, COMM 5318 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication)

COMM 5329              Communication & Negotiation
                               (or COMM 5347 Seminar in Small Group Communication)

 

 

 

Prescribed electives:

 

POSI 5395                 Real Estate Law

POSI 5390                 Administrative Law

POSI 5333                 Ecology and the Politics of Scarcity

GEO 5314                  Geographic Elements of Environmental Law

BIO   5362                 Environmental Impact Analysis

 

 

Prescribed electives:

 

POSI 5396           Law Office Management

POSI 5392           Corporations

 

along with 9 hours of electives selected out of the following courses:

 

                  (i)         Private Sector Administration:

 

ACC 5361                       Financial and Managerial Reporting & Analysis

                                                      Prereq. ACC 5303

MKT 5321                        Marketing Management

                                                      Prereq. MKT 5305

MGT 5314                        Organizational Behavior and Theory

                                                      Prereq. MGT 5304

or,

            (ii)        Public Sector Administration:

 

POSI 5317                       Management Practices in Public Personnel Administration

POSI 5347                       Public Finance Information Systems

POSI 5314                       Organization Theory