Legal Studies Program

  • Legal Studies Program

    Build a career in the legal field, lay the foundation for future studies in law, and participate in informed civic activities. The 彩神vlll争霸 offers a variety of resources to help you earn your degree and plan for the future.

The Legal Studies program offers three degrees approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Paralegals: ; ; . Students majoring in other programs have the option of a broad-based that is not approved by the ABA. 

It is impossible to think about contemporary life without also thinking about how law governs relations among people. Legal Studies students obtain a broad educational background in American law and policy that prepares them for a lifetime of informed civic participation. Learning about law and the legal system provides not only a solid foundation for understanding how society operates but it also offers a variety of exciting career options. A degree in Legal Studies can get you there. Whether you want to work in a law office, government agency, nonprofit organization, the court system, or even go on to law school, the Legal Studies program at 彩神vlll争霸 will give you the tools and training you need to accomplish your goals. These are examples of jobs you could qualify for:

  • paralegal, legal assistant
  • legal analyst, legal researcher
  • risk management officer, compliance officer
  • court clerk, court administrator
  • regulations coordinator, regulations specialist
  • victim advocate, witness coordinator
  • legal database administrator

The Justice Center also encourages Legal Studies majors to work toward improving access to justice. You can volunteer at an approved legal aid agency in Alaska to earn honors for pro bono service.

Please note that students obtaining degrees in Legal Studies are not authorized to provide direct legal services to the public. The program offers training for paraprofessionals who are authorized to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. The program does not train lawyers.

 


Why choose Legal Studies at 彩神vlll争霸? 

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彩神vlll争霸 has three law school partnerships to provide qualified 彩神vlll争霸 students the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree and law degree on an accelerated schedule.

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The Legal Studies program offers multiple degree options for students at different stages in their education and online pathways for all degrees.

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Assignments in many Legal Studies courses resemble tasks in actual legal practice, from writing legal pleadings to learning how to argue in court. You also will complete a semester-long internship for credit.

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Get involved with groups and activities that match your professional and personal interests, such as the Society of Law & Justice or Alpha Phi Sigma.


Per program approval by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals, students are required to take at least nine credits of legal specialty courses through in person or synchronous instruction. Satisfaction of this requirement is built into the course offering plan. A maximum of nine (9) credit hours of Legal Specialty coursework taken within the past five (5) years may be transferred into the program from another ABA-approved paralegal education program upon approval by the Legal Studies Program Coordinator. Credit for which transfer is sought must be substantially similar to an existing 彩神vlll争霸 Legal Studies course.

Legal studies confer over notes during a mock trial

Program Information

The 彩神vlll争霸 Catalog is the official source of all degree and certificate programs at the university. Catalog entries for each program include details such as learning outcomes, application timeline and requirements, course sequencing, and program requirements. 

 

 

 

 


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Message from the Director

Welcome to Legal Studies, where our faculty of practicing Alaska lawyers love what they do and want to share it with you.  In addition to a popular (and useful) Introduction to Law course, we offer open electives with modest prerequisites for students who are exploring law and the legal field; courses like 鈥淐riminal Law: Murder, Robbery, and Other Crimes鈥 or 鈥淟aw, History and Social Change.鈥  If you are interested in working in the legal field without going to law school, we offer a range of American Bar Association accredited programs preparing you for direct employment and eligibility to take national certification exams.  And, if you are interested in law school, we鈥檙e here to help by providing solid academic preparation and guidance about applying.   Whatever your interest in law, contact us; we鈥檒l fill you in on what we and our field can offer.  
 
-Kris Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S.

Contact Us

(907) 786-1810
uaa_justicecenter@alaska.edu

Physical Address
彩神vlll争霸 Justice Center
彩神vlll争霸 Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Dr., Suite 234
Anchorage, AK 99508

Mailing Address
彩神vlll争霸 Justice Center
3211 Providence Dr., PSB 234
Anchorage, AK 99508