Majors
Legal Studies
Bethany offers a major and minor in legal studies, as well as a paralegal certificate and pre-law program.
Understanding Law, Justice, and Advocacy Through a Liberal Arts Lens
Note Bethany’s Program Requirements Disclaimer when planning your coursework.
Bethany’s Legal Studies major prepares students for a broad range of law-related careers by combining a rigorous academic foundation with a focus on biblical moral principles. Students gain a strong understanding of legal systems, civil and criminal procedures, and the ethical dimensions of justice. Designed to be both flexible and career-ready, the program equips graduates for roles in paralegal work, nonprofit leadership, business, public service, corrections, and more. It also lays the groundwork for those pursuing law school or other graduate studies. With an emphasis on critical thinking, effective communication, and service-oriented leadership, Bethany’s Legal Studies major develops professionals ready to advocate with integrity and purpose.
Legal Studies Program Mission Statement
The legal studies program prepares students for various law-related careers while adhering to biblical moral principles and values. This major equips students for a variety of vocations, including paralegal, business leadership, nonprofit board service, community development, consulting, corrections, and probation. This major also provides a foundation for the pursuit of advanced degrees in law or other graduate programs. Students cultivate a broad understanding of basic principles of law and the role and function of the legal system.
Legal Studies students travel to Washington D.C. to visit the United States Supreme Court
Equipping Students for Thoughtful Legal Analysis and Advocacy
Program Learning Outcomes
Students majoring in legal studies will demonstrate an ability to:
- Identify the appropriate legal procedures applicable to a variety of civil and criminal controversies;
- Research and analyze the relationships among case facts, statutory law, case law, and constitutional principles involved in specific legal controversies;
- Advocate, in both written and oral communication, for a particular party in a legal controversy;
- Evaluate, in reference to both the historically contingent legal culture and the more transcendent principles of natural law, the arguments offered by competing sides in legal controversies.
Legal Studies Major Course List
Requirements
Lower Division Electives (18 credits)
Required courses:
One of the following:
One of the following:
- PHIL202 Introduction to Philosophy 3 cr.
- PHIL204 Ethics 3 cr.
One of the following:
One of the following:
- HIST207 History of USA I 3 cr.
- HIST208 History of USA II 3 cr.
- PLSC105 American Government 3 cr.
- PLSC106 World Politics 3 cr.
Upper Division Requirements:
- HIST385 Western Legal Traditions or HIST470 The Supreme Court and the American People 3 cr.
- LEGL320 Legal Research and Writing 3 cr.
- LEGL460 Legal Procedures 3 cr.
- LEGL470 Family Law 3 cr.
One of the following:
- BUSN360 Business Ethics 3 cr.
- HIST350 French Revolution through Napoleon 3 cr.
- HIST385 Western Legal Traditions (if not counted above) 3 cr.
- HIST410 The Era of the American Revolution 3 cr.
- HIST420 Constitution and Early Republic 3 cr.
- HIST450 Civil Rights Movement 3 cr.
- HIST470 The Supreme Court and the American People (if not counted above) 3 cr.
Two of the following:
- BUSN310 Principles of Management 3 cr.
- BUSN330 Principles of Marketing 3 cr.
- BUSN360 Business Ethics (if not counted above) 3 cr.
- BUSN370 3 cr.
- BUSN420 Managing Human Resources 3 cr.
- COMM385 Law and Ethics in Media 3 cr.
- COMM389 Intercultural Communication 3 cr.
- ECON330 International Economics 3 cr.
- LEGL308 Business Law 3 cr.
- PHIL450 Philosophical Readings 3 cr.
- PSYC340 Social Psychology 3 cr.
- PSYC350 Abnormal Psychology 3 cr.
One of the following:
Legal Studies Minor Course List
A minor in legal studies requires:
Two of the following:
- COMM230 Argument and Advocacy 3 cr.
- HIST207 History of USA I 3 cr.
- HIST208 History of USA II 3 cr.
- PHIL201 Logic and Critical Thinking 3 cr.
- PHIL202 Introduction to Philosophy 3 cr.
- PHIL204 Ethics 3 cr.
- PLSC105 American Government 3 cr.
- PLSC106 World Politics 3 cr.
One of the following:
- ECON203 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr.
- ECON204 Principles of Microeconomics 3 cr.
- SOCL240 Criminal Deviance and Justice 3 cr.
Upper Division Requirements
All of the following:
- HIST385 Western Legal Traditions or HIST470 The Supreme Court and the American People 3 cr.
- LEGL210 Introduction to Legal Studies 3 cr.
- LEGL320 Legal Research and Writing 3 cr.
One of the following:
- BUSN360 Business Ethics 3 cr.
- LEGL460 Legal Procedures 3 cr.
- LEGL470 Family Law 3 cr.
One of the following:
- BUSN310 Principles of Management 3 cr.
- BUSN330 Principles of Marketing 3 cr.
- COMM385 Law and Ethics in Media 3 cr.
- COMM389 Intercultural Communication 3 cr.
- ECON330 International Economics 3 cr.
- HIST350 French Revolution through Napoleon 3 cr.
- HIST385 Western Legal Traditions (if not counted above) 3 cr.
- HIST410 The Era of the American Revolution 3 cr.
- HIST420 Constitution and Early Republic 3 cr.
- HIST450 Civil Rights Movement 3 cr.
- HIST470 The Supreme Court and the American People (if not counted above) 3 cr.
- PSYC340 Social Psychology 3 cr.
- PSYC350 Abnormal Psychology 3 cr.
Take a Closer Look
To view the most recent course list and requirements for the Legal Studies major, please consult the Academic Catalog.
Contact the Legal Studies Department
Next Steps
Interested in studying at Bethany? Scheduling a campus visit is a great way to see what we have to offer. You can meet professors or sit in on a class too! Contact our admissions office to learn more.
