Online Bachelor’s in Legal Studies

The opportunities for students, in this first course, for all majors are to learn personal and professional leadership styles and drivers by providing an overview of leadership basics. Leadership skills are utilized across fields of study. Regardless of the roles individuals assume in an organization, they will need to communicate effectively, influence others, and understand the way they respond to others and why. The course engages students in discussion, exploration, and application of leadership skills, principles, and practices. Students will learn about the relationships and connections leaders have with individuals and organizations. Topics include leadership communication, motivation, style, and characteristics. 

Credits: 3

Introduction to Law is a foundational course designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, concepts, and institutions that shape the legal system. This course explores the origins of law, the structure of the judicial system, and the fundamental legal principles that govern society. Students are introduced to important legal terminology and different types of law, including statutory law and common law, and key concepts in legal ethics will be examined. They will learn how to identify legal elements in statutes or causes of action and conduct basic legal analysis. Students will learn important components of a written decision and develop case briefing skills

Credits: 3

This course provides an introduction to the United States Constitution and its amendments through critical study, analysis and evaluation of landmark cases of the U.S. Supreme Court. Students will examine the organization and framework of the federal government, the constitutional roles of the legislative and executive branches, and individual rights. Students will learn about judicial review, authority reserved to states, equal protection, due process and First Amendment freedoms. The course also examines rights of the accused deriving from various amendments, including rights related to arrest, search and seizure, confessions and self-incrimination, rights during trial and sentencing.

Credits: 3

The ability to conduct legal research and write clearly and concisely are some of the most important skills for a member of the legal team.  In this course, students will learn to identify and research legal issues, locate applicable legal authority and evaluate the weight of the legal authority.  Students will learn the traditional IRAC method, identifying the legal issue, explaining the applicable legal rule, developing analysis of facts and determining a conclusion to given hypothetical scenarios.  Students will develop skills in analyzing issues using objective and persuasive writing and learn to employ appropriate tone depending on the audience. Students will be introduced to Bluebook citation and will draft documents commonly used in legal practice, including an objective memorandum, client letter and persuasive brief.

Credits: 3

Political Science and Law is an interdisciplinary course that explores the relationship between political systems and the legal framework of the United States. This course delves into how laws are shaped by political processes, the role of the judiciary in interpreting and applying laws, and the impact of legal decisions on political institutions and society. Through a combination of interactive discussions and critical thinking assignments, students will gain insights into the dynamics of interactions between politics and law, and develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of governance and legal systems.

Credits: 3

Philosophy and Ethics is an interdisciplinary course designed to explore the philosophical foundations of law and ethical considerations in legal practices. This course delves into the moral principles that underlie legal systems, the ethical dilemmas faced by legal professionals, and the philosophical theories that shape our understanding of justice and fairness. Through a combination of interactive discussions and critical thinking assignments, students will gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical frameworks that influence legal reasoning and develop critical thinking skills essential for ethical decision-making in the legal field.

Credits: 3

In this course, students will focus on all aspects to the fundamentals of criminal law. Major topics covered in the course include: elements of various types of crimes; requisite mental states for crimes; the nature and purpose of criminal responsibility; criminal defenses, including justification and excuse; and theories of criminal responsibility. This course also examines specific criminal cases to illustrate and apply many of the legal principles covered.

Credits: 3

This course examines the theory and procedural rules employed in civil litigation, with a focus on jurisdiction and venue, pleadings, pre-trial motions, discovery, trials, and appeals. Students will learn about the organization and jurisdiction of federal and state courts, including emphasis on personal and subject matter jurisdiction. Students will draft documents including pleadings, motions and discovery requests. Special emphasis is placed upon the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Credits: 3

The course includes topics relevant to businesses operating in the United States, including the U.S. legal system, contract law, employment law, accounting law, tort law, and intellectual property. Digital technology, business globalization, and ethics are integrated throughout the course. This course will focus on Business Law principles pertaining to pre-law and LSAT prep.

Credits: 3

Legal Ethics is a specialized course that focuses on the ethical principles and professional responsibilities governing the practice of law. This course examines the ethical dilemmas faced by legal professionals, the rules of professional conduct, and the importance of integrity, confidentiality, and professional responsibility in the legal profession. Through a combination of interactive discussions and critical thinking assignments, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of legal ethics and develop the skills necessary for ethical decision-making and professional conduct in the legal field.

Credits: 3

Logic and Critical Thinking is a foundational course designed to enhance students' reasoning and analytical skills, particularly within the context of legal studies. This course introduces students to the principles of formal and informal logic, argument analysis, and critical reasoning. Through a combination of interactive discussions and critical thinking assignments, students will develop the ability to construct and evaluate arguments, identify fallacies, and apply logical reasoning to legal problems and issues. 

Credits: 3

History and Philosophy of Law is an interdisciplinary course that explores the historical development and philosophical foundations of legal systems and principles. This course examines the evolution of legal thought, the impact of historical events on the development of legal systems, and the major philosophical theories that have shaped our understanding of law and justice. Through a combination of interactive discussions and critical thinking assignments, students will gain a deeper understanding of the historical and philosophical underpinnings of law and develop critical thinking skills crucial for analyzing and interpreting legal concepts and principles.

Credits: 3

This course provides an overview of theories, processes and practices of conflict resolution and negotiation. Students will analyze factors that impact negotiations and identify key negotiation strategies. Students will also be introduced to other forms of conflict resolution including mediation and arbitration. Ethical considerations in dispute resolution including standards of conduct, confidentiality, impartiality and unauthorized practice of law will also be examined.

Credits: 3

This course provides an introduction to the rapidly emerging and dynamic field of cyber law. Through study of key legal cases, policy and legislation, students will learn about the applicable legal frameworks governing approaches to cyber law and policy. Students will examine major cybercrimes and explore the vulnerabilities that allow for constantly evolving threats in the cybersphere. This course also provides an overview of domestic and international policy challenges and their impact on society.

Credits: 3

Intellectual Property law encourages and protects creators and owners of creative works, including brands, inventions, art and other creations of the mind. This course introduces students to different forms of intellectual property protection, including patents, copyright, trademarks and trade secrets. This course examines the processes involved for obtaining protections and enforcement of protections where rights are infringed. Students will learn about major federal laws and international treaties surrounding trade of intellectual property. 

Credits: 3

This course examines significant environmental issues and related policy, such as pollution control, habitat conservation, protection of endangered species, climate change, energy policy, agricultural policy and water policy. Students will learn the history of environmental law in the United States and explore applicable federal and state statutory and regulatory environmental laws. This course analyzes ethical considerations in environmental law and recurring themes in environmental law, such as cost-benefit analysis, valuing intangible environmental benefits and risk analysis. The concept of environmental justice will also be explored as students evaluate efforts and limitations in protecting public health and the environment. 

Credits: 3