Bachelor's Degree
Legal Studies
Online Bachelor's Degree Program
Bachelor's Degree
Legal Studies
Online Bachelor's Degree Program
Learn online and take the next step in your career
Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
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Transfer credit | Up to 93 approved credits1 |
Certification | Prep for the Certified Paralegal Examination (NALA) |
Pathways | Earn dual credit towards an MBA program; steppingstone to apply for law school (bachelor’s degree path) |
QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies - Online
The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree is a 125-credit undergraduate program which prepares you for a variety of entry-level careers in legal studies.
The online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in legal research, contract law, family law, law office procedures, ethics, torts, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Classes Start January 6th
Learn More Today
Legal Studies program online classes & curriculum details
Designed to provide students with a more advanced understanding of law, the Herzing online legal studies program incorporates core business courses to provide a strong background in administration and management.
Graduates are prepared for careers in legal administration, legal assisting, business and management training. The bachelor’s degree path is also a great starting point for those seeking to apply to law school to become a lawyer.
All classes are delivered online with a capstone or internship (if available in your state).
Program | Monthsi | Credits |
---|---|---|
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies | 36 | 125 |
Required Management Core Courses
All courses, 33.00 semester credit hours, are required.
or BU 600 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.00 semester credit hours.
or BU 421 Operations Management 3.00 semester credit hours or BU 550 Research Methods and Decision Making 3.00 semester credit hours
Required Introductory Legal Studies Courses
All courses, 30.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Advanced Legal Studies Courses
All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.
or BU 550 Research Methods and Decision Making 3.00 semester credit hours or BU 600 Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3.00 semester credit hours
Elective Courses
A minimum of 12.00 semester credit hours is required. At least 6.00 semester credit hours must be paralegal (PL) courses.
Required Project Management
3.00 semester credit hours are required.
or
Required Capstone or Internship
3.00 semester credit hours are required.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 33.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Personal and Professional Development Courses
2.00 semester credit hours are required.
An alternative: Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal
Looking to get started faster as a paralegal/legal assistant? The Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal degree program in New Orleans prepares students with the skills and knowledge needed for a career as a legal assistant/paralegal working under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Learn more about our online legal studies associate degree program.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the legal studies program is $515 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.
Requirements
Admissions requirements
Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Legal Studies bachelor's degree program include:
- Prior education requirement. Completion of high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Entrance testing. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level courses via prior ACT/SAT scores, completion of prior college credit, or additional entrance testing.
- Availability of time, personal commitment, and a professional attitude. We exist to help enthusiastic students fully committed to reaching their highest career goals. Our faculty and leadership are dedicated to helping you reach them.
You will need to meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor and complete an enrollment application to be admitted into the program.
If you have any additional questions regarding admissions into the program, please contact our admissions team.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District Of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.
Classes Start January 6th
Waived Enrollment FeeCareers
What can I do with a legal studies degree?
The training included in our online legal studies program helps you build a foundation in pre-law so you may pursue a wide variety of career paths. Holders of a bachelor’s degree in legal studies may qualify for many different types of jobs.
Examples of jobs you may pursue with a legal studies degree include:
- Business positions such as HR representative or compliance
- Political lobbyist & legislative liaisons
- City/county, state or federal government jobs
- Probation officer & parole officer
- Real estate agent
- University advising, career departments, libraries & research
Frequently Asked Questions
Our online bachelor of science in legal studies program takes an average of 36 months to complete, meaning you can earn a degree and be ready to start your new career in law in about 3 years.
Yes! Many lawyers begin their careers as a paralegal / legal assistant, gain valuable experience, continue their education in a graduate program, and advance to higher roles.
If your goal is to become a lawyer or eventually climb the ladder from a legal assisting position, our Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program provides a strong foundation in pre-law so you may qualify for and excel in law school.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals earn an average salary of $66,460 per year ($31.95 per hour).* Keep in mind this is not an estimate for starting pay in an entry-level position—average pay will vary based on your experience, level of education and the state in which you work. Find the average paralegal salary by state.
The BLS reports a positive outlook for jobs over the next ten years, projecting a 4% increase in employment for paralegals and legal assistants from 2022-2032.*
Yes! Earning an undergraduate degree in legal studies helps you become eligible for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal Examination, position yourself for a job as a paralegal / legal assistant and open many doors for advancement in the legal field.
Herzing’s legal studies program helps you build a strong foundation for a long career in law.
Typical prerequisites to get into law school include:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Admissions test – take the LSAT
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Any requirements unique to the school
Law schools evaluate applicants primarily based on your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score.
Note: a bachelor’s degree related to pre-law is not required to apply to law school. However, if you’re choosing an undergraduate program and seeking a career in law, a legal studies program is a great choice, and can help you affirm your interest in the law as a profession.
A legal studies degree may be used as a stepping stone to enter law school. The Herzing legal studies program is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of how the legal system works as it relates to law, courts, clients and lawyers. Classes include pre-law topics like legal research, contract law, torts, civil litigation, legal writing and law office procedures along with core management courses and electives.
Herzing University offers associate degree and bachelor’s degree paths in legal studies. Earning an associate degree will prepare you for a job as a paralegal / legal assistant, and earning a bachelor’s in legal studies (with foundation topics in pre-law) will best prepare you for further career possibilities in law.
There are a wide variety of career opportunities in law, including:
- Lawyer / attorney
- Paralegal / legal assistant
- Border patrol & immigration
- Criminal investigator
- Criminology
- Law enforcement
- FBI, TSA, customs agent
Herzing’s legal studies program prepares many students for careers in business, real estate, government, research, legal office administration, and can be a strong foundation for a future career as a lawyer.
The education you will receive by earning a degree will make you an excellent candidate for many different types of jobs.
There are many types of degrees in law, most of which are at the graduate level:
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Doctor of Juridicial Science (SJD)
Herzing University does not offer any graduate law degree programs.
However, if you are looking to start your career in law, Herzing’s undergraduate associate and bachelor’s degree options in legal studies are a great place to begin. Earning an excellent GPA in a degree program like Herzing’s and you can position yourself well to get accepted into law school and pursue the law degree of your choice.
Are there other graduate degree options?
Yes! Your bachelor’s degree in legal studies can also prepare you for Herzing’s Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program. You can even begin to take MBA classes during your bachelor’s degree with our dual enrollment program. Many attorneys who work in business related fields may also choose to complete an MBA in addition to their JD.
Accreditation
Accreditation & Disclosures
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.