Bachelor of Arts - General Studies Major (120 hrs.)
The Department of Criminal Justice offers a General Studies major with a Concentration in Pre-Legal Studies which is designed to prepare students for law school and is recommended for students intending to go to law school who do not have a strong interest in another undergraduate discipline. The department stresses that pre-law students should seek frequent, regular advice from their advisors and from the pre-law advisor located in this department.
Pre-law
Admission to an accredited school of law normally requires a bachelor’s degree. The Association of American Law Schools does not recommend a specific major, but students will be expected to have a broad academic background, a good scholastic record, and acceptable scores on the law school admission test. Usually that type of preparation is more beneficial for a prospective law student than is the specialized study of subjects closely related to law.
Any degree program that stresses the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, encourages an understanding of human values, promotes understanding, reasoning and critical thinking, and fosters creativity is an excellent program for a student planning to pursue a law degree after graduation.
Degree Requirements
General Education Requirements - 36 hours
Communication – 9 hrs.
Humanities and Social Science – 9 hrs.
| HIS 103 | American History I | 3 |
| HIS 113 | American History II | 3 |
| | Humanities Elective (3) | 3 |
Mathematics and Science – 9 hrs.
| | Mathematics Elective (3) | 3 |
| | Science Elective (3) | 3 |
| | Math or Science Elective (3) | 3 |
Other – 9 hrs.
Content Requirements - 36 hours
Required
| UE 101 | University Experience | 1 |
| | Or | |
| UE 111 | Online Learning Orientation | 1 |
Free Electives – 35 hrs.
Electives are determined in conjunction with an advisor and based on student career objectives.
Concentrations - 48 hours
Select one of the Concentration options below.
Option A – Pre-Legal Studies Concentration – 48 hrs.
Electives: 6 hours from LE, ENG, PSY, or COM
Option B – Self-Designed Studies Concentration – 48 hrs.
15 to 30 hours must be taken from two to three different academic departments at the 300 level or higher.
Total Credit Hours: 120