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.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Concentration
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)
Environmental Law Concentration
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
Legal Administration Concentration
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