Academic Catalog
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies prepares graduates for both law school and for careers in legal assisting, paralegal, and other law-related professions. The program is designed to provide in-depth understanding of the legal system as it relates to the law, the courts, clients, and lawyers. The curriculum encompasses both generalist and specialist courses as recommended by the American Bar Association. The core curriculum provides a solid foundation of legal, ethical, technical, and communication skills. Subsequent to completion of the core, students have an opportunity to focus on specific areas of interest by taking elective coursework in the areas of litigation, wills, trusts and estates, real estate, family law, criminal law, and international law.
- Attend an orientation session.
- Sign an Advising Agreement document.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000 - 4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. See: https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major. - Common Prerequisites
None*
*Local articulation agreements between institutions that allow for specific courses at the Florida College System (FCS) institution to be recognized and accepted by receiving institutions are still in place. If you are a FCS student, please see your advisor to see if there are any local agreements that are relevant to your transfer. - Required Courses in the Major (21 credits)
A minimum grade of C is required in each course
CJL 4064 Constitutional Crim. Procedure (3)
PLA 1003 Introduction to Law (3)
PLA 3116 Legal Research & Writing (3)
PLA 3277 Torts (3)
PLA 3428 Contracts (3)
PLA 3703 Professional Ethics (3)
CCJ 4934 Senior Seminar (3) - Restricted Electives in the Major (12 credits)
A minimum grade of C is required in each course
Select 9 credits from any of the following:
PLA 3205 Courtroom Techniques (3)
PLA 3240 Alternative Dispute Resolution (3)
PLA 3436 Business Organizations (3)
PLA 3764 Law Office Management (3)
PLA 3806 Family Law Issues (3)
PLA 4471 Employment Law (3)
PLA 4530 Elder Law (3)
PLA 4570 Globalization & the Rule of Law (3)
PLA 4605 Wills, Trusts, and Estates (3)
PLA 4616 Real Estate Transactions (3)
PLA 4843 Immigration Law (3)
PLA 4885 Constitutional Law (3)
Select 3 credits from any of the following:
PHI 3130 Logic (3)
Any upper division (3000-4999 level) course(s) from the following prefixes: PLA**,CCJ**, CJC, CJE, CJJ, or CJL**
**Courses used to fulfill required courses in the major cannot also be used to fulfill restricted electives. - University Requirements (3 credits)
IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3) - Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
