Legal Studies (LGST) - Ferris Course Catalog

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Legal Studies LGST

Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science

College(s): Business

Required Courses		Credit Hours
MAJOR
LLAW 160	Law in the United States 1	3
LLAW 161	Law in the United States 2	4
LLAW 251	Criminal Law and Procedures	3
LLAW 260	Real Estate Law	3
LLAW 261	Probate and Estate Planning	3
LLAW 280	Civil Litigation	4
Choose one:
LLAW 253	Adv Legal Research-Writing	2
Or
LLAW 291	Practice Studies	2
RELATED COURSES
ACCT 201	Principles of Accounting 1	3
BLAW 321	Contracts and Sales	3
ISYS 105	Intro Micro Systems-Software	3
*Electives:	Directed	12
UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION
Communication Competence
COMM 121	Fundamentals-Public Speaking	3
ENGL 150	English 1	3
ENGL 250	English 2	3
Scientific Understanding
*	Lab Science Elective	3-4
Quantitative Skills
MATH 115	Intermediate Algebra	3
*	(If MATH ACT is 24 or higher, substitute a general education elective)
Cultural Enrichment		3
Social Awareness		3
Minimum credit hours required for A.A.S. degree:		64 - 65

Why Choose the Legal Studies Program?

The Ferris Legal Studies program provides students with a curriculum that emphasizes a broad-based knowledge of the law, with an emphasis on legal research and writing skills. Students interested in working as paralegals, legal assistants, court personnel, or in occupations that require a strong legal background should consider this program. Ferris graduates have been very successful in using this degree as a background for a variety of occupations and as preparation for law school.

As a student, you will be required to complete courses in legal research, criminal and civil procedure, real estate law, probate and estate planning. In addition, you will study business courses in accounting, business law and computers. General education courses are also required and include English, mathematics and public speaking.

Ferris has an excellent legal collection, and research classes are taught in the library. Lexis-Nexis and WESTLAW, computerized legal research databases, are available.

Career Opportunities

Paralegals assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Although they are not lawyers, and may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law, paralegals have the knowledge and expertise to do perform work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.

Few career fields offer such diversity and rewards after only two years of formal education beyond high school. Furthermore, the program is designed to allow the student to complete a baccalaureate degree with an additional two years of study.

The Legal Studies program at Ferris State University has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1978. The curriculum meets or exceeds all the ABA requirements.

Admission Requirements

New Students: 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school and one of the following two criteria: (1) Math ACT score of 19 or higher, or MATH SAT score of 460 or higher; or (2) Reading CT score of 19 or higher, or Verbal SAT score of 430 or higher.

Transfer Students: Combined college of university GPA of 2.35 (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended, and the following criteria: (1) transfer equivalency for ENGL 150 or placement in ENGL 150 the first semester at FSU which would require an English ACT score of 16 or higher; (2) transfer equivalency for FSU MATH 115 or placement in MATH 115 the first semester at FSU which would require a Math ACT score of 19 or higher.

Exceptions: Applicants not meeting the above criteria (new or transfer students) for direct admission, but still meet Ferris State University admission criteria, will be placed in the Pre-Business program until the admission criteria are met. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean's Office.

Graduation Requirements

The Legal Studies program at Ferris leads to an associate in applied science degree. Graduation requires a minimum 2.0 GPA in core classes, in the major and overall.

Legal Studies Mission and Objectives

http://www.ferris.edu/business/programs/legal-studies

More Information

Management Department
Ferris State University
119 South Street, BUS 212
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2284
Phone: (231) 591-2427
Email: MGMT@ferris.edu

The College of Business is accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP.) Next Accreditation Review is February 2018.
http://www.acbsp.org/p/st/ld/sid=s1_001

Legal Studies is also approved by the American Bar Association.
http://www.americanbar.org/groups/paralegals.html