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SPA’s BA in Legal Studies explores the fundamental nature of law and justice. Students will critically analyze and think about the life and impact of law from the perspectives of the social sciences and humanities. These insights will be applied to contemporary and relevant social questions, as well as allow for deeper reflection about the origins, evolution, function and effects of the law as a social, historical, and normative phenomenon. Read on to find out how this SPA program can help you establish the path to achieve your career goals.

Admissions

New first-year and transfer students are admitted through the university's Admissions Office. For additional information regarding American University's undergraduate admissions requirements and application process, please visit american.edu/admissions.

Curriculum

Read our complete overview of course requirements and curriculum.

Sample Courses

A general introduction to law and the legal system, including a survey of substantive law in both civil and criminal arenas. Students learn how the legal system operates and the basic categories of law, and discuss controversial issues in each area of law.

From the biblical era to the American experiment, the Western legal tradition encompasses primitive, divine, natural, canon, secular, and common law. This course examines the key legal documents and issues of the tradition including the Code of Hammurabi, the Ten Commandments, the trials of Socrates and Jesus, the Magna Carta, the Rule of Law, and Common law.

This course introduces a wide array of methodologies employed in legal studies related to the humanities and social sciences. It provides the knowledge and skills necessary to design, conduct, and present a scholarly research project. The research questions that motivate scholars in legal studies, as well as the different methods used to collect and analyze the evidence systematically and logically are discussed.

This course provides an introduction to the philosophical perspective of the law. Issues discussed include the nature of law and judicial decision making, criminal responsibility, the justification of punishment, and the moral basis of property rights.

Study Abroad Opportunities

  • Students may study abroad between their second semester of sophomore year through their senior year.

  • Legal Studies majors can count up to 6 credit hours of preapproved courses taken abroad toward their upper-level major course requirements.

  • It is strongly recommended that students complete the majority of their university requirements before studying abroad.

  • Some popular study abroad destinations are: Australia, China, Canada, Denmark, England, Netherlands, New Zealand

Internship Opportunities

  • Students can earn up to 12 credits from internships toward their degree.
  • Students can apply a maximum of 6 credit hours to their major requirements.
  • Students must complete at least 30 credit hours at AU before registering an internship for credit.
  • Sample internships include: National Institute of Justice, FBI, American Bar Association, D.C. Courts, U.S. Customs, Public Defender Service, Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security

Scholarly Research Opportunities

  • Take Introduction to Legal Studies Research before moving into more advanced upper-level courses.
  • Students learn research design, qualitative analysis, and how to apply analytical techniques to contemporary problems.
  • Students have opportunities to work with faculty mentors on their original research projects.
  • Students will present their original research through research symposiums on campus or at national conferences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to: 

  1. Understand and evaluate the conceptual foundations, historical evolution and normative implications of legal ideas and traditions
  2. Demonstrate familiarity with research design including an understanding of the different methodologies for knowing the subjects of research, including conceptual, normative and evidence-based research and an ability to apply these methods to issues and policies in legal studies
  3. Analyze and think critically about legal issues and policies
  4. Use normative, conceptual and evidence-based support in writing about legal themes and policy
  5. Students will express satisfaction with their choice of major and with their learning in the major

We Know Success

% of Graduates Participated in an Internship