Legal Studies
Associate Degree

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Why Earn an Associate Degree in Legal Studies at NCC?

This program is designed to allow a student who aspires to have a career in the law or law related field the ability to survey different aspects of the legal profession, including paralegal studies, social sciences, criminal justice, and business law. 

 

Further, since Legal Studies, AAS incorporates some courses required by both Paralegal, AAS and Criminal Justice, AAS degrees, a student can decide to switch to either major with minimal credit loss depending on the program electives chosen.  In addition, a student can earn a second degree in either Paralegal, AAS or Criminal Justice, AAS so long as the student completely earns the Legal Studies, AAS degree and then returns and completes 15 different additional credits.



A Path To Law School

This program prepares a student aspiring to go to law school with a logical foundation of transferrable skills, legal knowledge, and an understanding of various legal systems.  With the different Legal Studies elective courses, a student can better shift their focus to a particular discipline within the law.

 

The curriculum's selection of courses are designed to be not only useful in the legal field, but are more commonly accepted as individual course transfer credits at 4-year institutions through NCC's individual course transfer agreements, depending on the 4-year institution.  As such, this major allows for a broader scope of transfer opportunities. 



Program Details

Semesters: 4

Credits: 61

College Catalog: View Curriculum

Program Map: Download PDF

Locations: Bethlehem

Program Overview:

This program is designed to allow a student who aspires to have a career in law or law related field the ability to survey different aspects of the legal profession, including paralegal studies, social sciences, criminal justice, and business law. Also, the Legal Studies, AAS degree is designed to prepare a student desirous of a pathway to law school, a logical foundation of transferrable skills and an understanding of various legal systems with courses and elective course choices typically accepted for transfer to a 4-year institution.



Future Career Paths

  • legal assistant
  • paralegal
  • probation officer
  • law librarian
  • legal support personnel
  • court reporter
  • law enforcement officer
  • jury consultant
  • pathway to lawyer / judge

Need Help Deciding?

Not sure if this is the right program for you? Take advantage of the resources we have available for students to help hone in on what path to pursue.


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