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Minor in Legal Studies
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Why Choose Legal Studies?
Recognizing the critical role that law plays in human society, the legal studies minor examines the ways people in different cultures and historical periods have used the law and understood its purposes. Legal studies is an interdisciplinary academic program about law, rather than vocational training in law. The minor offers you the opportunity to explore law as a topic of intellectual inquiry. Heavily steeped in the liberal arts tradition, this minor emphasizes critical engagement with the wide array of forces (e.g., social, cultural, philosophical, historical, economic, and psychological), that give shape to the formation, implementation, and effect of law in human society.
Careers
A 2019 survey of 2,321 graduates found nearly 100 currently employed in law practice, 27 in legal services, and many in other law and law enforcement related careers. The law practice professionals were employed across the legal spectrum, including the Department of Defense, the Ohio Auditor's office, LexisNexis, the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Ohio Ethics Commission, Ford Motor Company, the Legal Aid Society, and a variety of county and municipal law offices.
Real-World Experience
The School of Social Sciences and International Studies offers fantastic internship opportunities to students in all majors and minors. Recent internships for our students include the Ohio Statehouse, the Dayton Foundation, the YWCA, Community Geographic Information Systems and Citizen Science Research Experiences in Belize, the City of Kettering, City of Yellow Springs, and the Federal District Court.
Service is part of our school’s culture. Through service-learning, students engage with the community, and learn as participants at events, programs, and activities. The university has earned recognition from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for advancing student learning through community engagement.
Academics and Curriculum
The legal studies minor requires 24 credit hours of course work, of which at least 15 must be at the upper-level. Courses are taken from five core areas: (1) legal systems, (2) specialized skill or perspective, (3) ethics and rights, (4) crime and deviance, and (5) law. Three courses are required from area (5), one course from each of the other areas, and an additional course chosen in areas (2), (4), or (5).
Legal Studies Minor checksheet (PDF)
View Minor in Legal Studies program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Admission
If you are a current student, go to the WINGS Express Major/Minor change request form or talk to your advisor about adding a minor.
