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Legal Studies - Program Description

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, "The legal system affects nearly every aspect of our society, from buying a home to crossing the street." Such a profound impact suggests that there are a variety of opportunities for individuals with an education in Legal Studies. The Department of Labor states that employers prefer graduates of postsecondary education programs. A graduate of SUNY Canton's Legal Studies program may find employment in law firms, corporations, hospitals, and local, state or federal government offices. Since the program covers many legal specialties, students may choose electives that may help them to specialize in one or more areas.

Students in this Major:

• Spend a significant amount of time doing legal research and legal writing
• May also take courses in Accounting, Business, Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement Leadership
• Receive an interdisciplinary education
• Complete a semester-long internship with a legal organization as a culminating experience

Career Opportunities:

• Paralegals or legal assistants in law firms
• Real estate and mortgage preparation
• Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators
• Occupational health and safety specialists
• Government paralegals local state and federal
• Contracts administrators
• District Attorney, Sheriff and Probation Offices
• Freelance Paralegal

Career Outlook:

• Jobs for graduates in Legal Studies are projected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2018 according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements:

• Refer to the table of high school course prerequisites for admission.
• Students must be prepared to take Composition and the Spoken Word (ENGL 101).
• Transfer students must meet re-registration requirements to be considered for admission.

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** Writing Intensive Course

U/L = Upper Level
GER = General Education Requirement

U/L Program Electives:

• LEST 320 - Negligence and Intentional Torts (Spring)
• LEST 360 - Family Law (Fall)
• LEST 370 - Real Property (Spring)
• LEST 375 - Immigration Law and Border Control (Fall)
• LEST 380 - Wills, Estates and Trusts (Spring)
• LEST 388 - Environmental Law (Spring)
• LEST 410 - American Indian Law and Fed. Policy (Fall)
• LEST 450 - Trial Courts and Rules of Evidence (Spring)
• BSAD 301 - Principles of Management
• BSAD 305 - Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management
• BSAD 310 - Human Resource Management
• EADM 307 - Legal Issues in Emergency and Disaster Management (Spring)
• HSMB/NURS 302 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care (Spring)
• JUST 345 - Comparative Justice Systems
• JUST 350 - Victimization

U/L Legal Studies (LEST) Electives:

• LEST 320 - Negligence and Intentional Torts (Spring)
• LEST 360 - Family Law (Fall)
• LEST 370 - Real Property (Spring)
• LEST 375 - Immigration Law and Border Control (Fall)
• LEST 380 - Wills, Estates and Trusts (Spring)
• LEST 388 - Environmental Law (Spring)
• LEST 410 - American Indian Law and Fed. Policy (Fall)
• LEST 450 - Trial Courts and Rules of Evidence (Spring)

In order to receive an LEST Bachelor of Science degree, at least 45 Upper Level (U/L) Credits must be completed with 24 credits being in Upper Level LEST courses.

50% of all credits must be earned in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

ENGL 301 gives three credits as both an Upper Level and a Liberal Arts and Sciences requirement but only counts as three credits in total (not six).

In order to graduate with a SUNY Canton degree, at least 30 credits must be completed by courses offered through SUNY Canton.

Review the Index of Course Descriptions