Professional Studies, Legal Studies, (B.P.S.)

University of Memphis

The Legal Studies concentration teaches theoretical and practical aspects of the field of law as a profession. Students are equipped to offer substantive legal support services to firms and agencies or to continue their education in law school. The core curriculum emphasizes four correlated disciplines: (1) theory, process, application, and ethics of law (2) legal and administrative research and investigation (3) law-related technologies, and (4) professional decorum and communication skills. Only licensed attorneys are permitted to practice law, but well-trained paralegals and support staff are indispensable to any office that faces critical issues in law, regulatory compliance, or policy. The unique skill sets of Legal Studies graduates are vital not only to law firms but also to corporations, government agencies, courts, law enforcement, health care organizations, non-profits, educational institutions, and a wide range of other professional settings.General Education (35-41 hours)See University General Education Program for the University General Education Program requirements. Students who have completed one year of American History in high school are exempted from the six credit-hour History General Education Program requirement otherwise, students will have to meet the History requirement.Coordinated Study (54 hours)Legal Studies Professional Core (30 hours)LEGL 2400 - Legal Ethics Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 2410 - Intro to Law Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3150 - Legal Research/Writing I Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3410 - Contracts Commercial Law Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3420 - Torts Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3440 - Civil Procedure Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3484 - Bankruptcy Practices Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3486 - Criminal Law & Procedure Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 4150 - Legal Research Writing II Credit Hours: (3)UNIV 4110 - Internship Credit Hours: (3-6)NoteStudents must complete LEGL 2400, LEGL 2410, and LEGL 3150 with a grade of C- or better before enrolling in any upper division (3000-4000 level) LEGL courses.A permit is required to enroll in UNIV 4110 - Internship. The program coordinator approves internships and issues permits. In order to be eligible, students must have earned (1) ninety credit-hours and (2) a grade of C- or better in both LEGL 3150 - Legal Research/Writing I and LEGL 4150 - Legal Research Writing II. The internship requires students to perform 150 clock-hours of substantive legal work within a professional legal environment. Although the academic advisors and the program coordinator are available to assist however possible, it is each student’s responsibility to find, apply for, and secure his/her own internship prior to seeking a permit for UNIV 4110. Students cannot transfer credit for internships from other schools or programs unless the student and the internship both meet UM’s Legal Internship standards, as determined by the program coordinator.Law-Related Electives (12 hours)LEGL 3400 - Estates and Probate Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3430 - Business Associations Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3481 - Family Law Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3482 - Labor Law Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3485 - Real Estate Practices Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 3487 - Admin Law/Procedure Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 4000 - Evidence and Argument Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 4200 - Healthcare Liability Credit Hours: (3)LEGL 4300 - Immigration Law Credit Hours: (3)POLS 4709 - Mock Trial Credit Hours: (3-6)

College of Professional and Liberal Studies