Begin on your path to a career in law
Bachelor of Science - Legal Studies (120 credits)
Are you thinking about pursuing jobs in legal studies or getting your law degree? The bachelor of science in legal studies at Davenport University can put you on the path to a school of law, help you develop the skills you need for a paralegal program or prepare you for work in a law office, government agency or other law-related setting.
Approved by the American Bar Association and accredited by International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), Davenport’s legal studies program combines theory and practical application so you’re prepared for wherever your future takes you. In fact, Davenport's hands-on learning approach is embedded at every level of the bachelor of legal studies program so you master the effective communication, critical thinking and other skills you need for a variety of jobs in legal studies. The legal studies program will have select courses available through DU's Global Campus in 2021-2022 with increased offerings in 2022-2023.
Experience the real world with the bachelor of legal studies
Through study abroad programs, internships and other hands-on opportunities provided in the classroom, you'll gain the real-world skills and experience that will help you stand out in your law school applications — and for jobs in legal studies. Another way to gain experience: participate in the Davenport Estate Planning Services (DEPS) clinic, which provides free estate planning for underserved populations.
Explore classes for Davenport's degree in legal studies
Through the bachelor of legal studies program, you'll take courses in business and legal ethics, litigation procedure, law office and case management technology and substantive practice areas of law. These courses and others will help you stand out from the competition for jobs in legal studies or get into a school of law.
Foundations of Excellence |
39 Credits | |
---|---|---|
ACES100 or OPEN | Achieving Career and Education Success or (if exempt) Open Elective | 3 |
COMM120 | Presentation Techniques | 3 |
DATA275 | Introduction to Data Analytics | 3 |
ECON200 | Microeconomics | 3 |
ECON201 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
ENGL109 | Composition | 3 |
ENGL110 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
ENGL311 | Professional Writing | 3 |
HUMN | Humanities Elective | 3 |
SOSC | Social Science Elective | 3 |
SOSC201 | Diversity in Society | 3 |
STAT220 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
MATH120 | College Mathematics | 3 |
Foundations of Business |
27 Credits | |
---|---|---|
ACCT200 | Accounting Basics for Managers | 3 |
BITS211 | Microcomp Appl Spreadsheet | 3 |
BITS212 | Microcomputer Apps Database | 3 |
BITS214 | Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
BUSN210 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
CISP111 | Requirements Planning/Develop | 3 |
GPMT287 | Principles of Project Mgmt | 3 |
HRMG213 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
MGMT211 | Management Foundations | 3 |
Major |
39-52 Credits | |
---|---|---|
HRMG431 | Negotiation/Dispute Resolution | 3 |
IAAS221 | Security Foundations | 3 |
LEGL101 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 |
LEGL213 | Torts | 3 |
LEGL215 | Litigation | 3 |
LEGL216 | Legal Research | 3 |
LEGL218 | Legal Writing | 3 |
LEGL220 | Technology in the Law Office | 3 |
LEGL301 | Business Organizations | 3 |
LEGL308 | Estate Plan & Probate Law EL | 3 |
LEGL401 | Employment and Labor Law | 3 |
LEGL415 | Advanced Litigation | 3 |
LEGL490 | Legal Studies BS & Cert Intern | 3 |
Choose 15 credits of Open Electives or one of the following specialties: |
15 Credits |
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General Practice Specialty [GEPS] |
(12) Credits | |
---|---|---|
LEGL204 | Family Law | 3 |
LEGL303 | Bankruptcy Law | 3 |
LEGL305 | Real Estate Law EL | 3 |
LEGL496 | Legal Ethics & Cert Review | 3 |
Litigation Technology Specialty [LITS] |
(12) Credits | |
---|---|---|
LEGL211 | Criminal Law | 3 |
LEGL300 | Evidence & Criminal Procedures | 3 |
LEGL425 | Contracts & Product Liability | 3 |
IAAS487 | Internet/Email/Elect Discovery | 3 |
Open Electives |
(3-15) Credits |
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Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Why get a degree in legal studies at Davenport?
In the bachelor of legal studies program at Davenport, you’ll learn from legal professionals who are at various stages of their career, from professors with decades of experience to practicing attorneys who bring the most current legal trends to the classroom. Their connections to the legal community run deep and can mean potential internship or career opportunities for you.
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Experience the Davenport difference:Davenport’s bachelor of legal studies program will prepare you to continue your legal education or to go right to work in the field. |
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Get into a school of lawReceive outstanding preparation and support to get into law school through Davenport’s bachelor of legal studies program. |
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Hands-on practiceApply what you learn in the classroom to the real world through hands-on coursework and internships. |
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Paralegal preparationBecome an important part of a legal team through a degree in legal studies that also prepares you to work as a paralegal. |
Get started on your degree in legal studies
Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your bachelor of legal studies degree at Davenport.
Talk to an admissions advisor
Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.
Apply now or request more information
Start on your path to a future career in the legal field. Request more information or begin your application now.
Davenport programs related to the bachelor of legal studies
Additional resources
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
Associate of Science (AS) - Legal Studies
- Explain the relevancy of the Code of Professional Responsibility and how it relates to the paralegal profession.
- Apply technology to produce legal documents in the area of business and personal legal services.
- Create legal documents similar in content and quality to those routinely produced in business and personal legal setting.
Bachelor of Science (BS) and Post Baccalaureate Certificate - Legal Studies
- Create legal documents similar in content and quality to those routinely produced in business and personal legal services.
- Integrate the use of technology to facilitate the production of legal documents in the area of business and personal legal services.
- Recommend an ethical course of conduct by determining the appropriate application of the Code of Professional Responsibility to ethical dilemmas occurring in business and personal legal services.
Graduates will be able to:
Associate of Science (AS) - Legal Studies
- Apply accounting principles to inform decision-making in a business setting.
- Illustrate the principles of professional business ethics utilized in business decision-making.
- Use computer application technologies in the creation of business documents.
Bachelor of Science (BS) and Post Baccalaureate Certificate - Legal Studies
- Apply business functional knowledge to inform decision-making in a business setting.
- Integrate the principles of professional business ethics utilized in business decision-making.
- Utilize computer application technologies in the creation of business documents.
Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses