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Program at a Glance

Program
Bachelor
College(s)
College of Community Innovation and Education
Department(s)
Legal Studies
4
Years
U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges - Most Innovative 2025

The Legal Studies program provides students with a broad understanding of basic principles of the law and the role and function of the legal system. In addition to preparing students for law-related careers, the program provides a solid foundation for law school. While no specific major is required for admission to law school, a degree in Legal Studies presents students with an unparalleled opportunity for law school preparation. All Legal Studies faculty are graduates of ABA-approved law schools, and practice/have practiced law.

Legal Studies students are encouraged to work closely with their program advisor in planning degree completion and career goals. Satisfactory completion of program requirements leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies. The B.A. requires two semesters of college-level foreign language; the B.S. requires two years of high school foreign language.

Legal Studies (B.A. or B.S.) may be completed fully online. Every semester, the Legal Studies Department offers a variety of online PLA Elective courses. The Legal Studies Core are offered online every semester. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program through the UCF Online Track may enroll with reduced campus-based fees.

Degree Requirements

  • Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog.
  • Students should complete the General Education Program before transferring within the Florida College System or State University System.
  • Students should regularly meet with their program advisor.
  • The courses designated in section 1 below may be taken at a Florida College System institution, and should usually be completed in the first 60 hours.
  • 33 hours of PLA coursework must be taken at UCF.
  • 2.0 in all PLA coursework at UCF and overall.

Online Legal Studies, BA/BS

Scales of justice

Highlights

Bestcolleges.com ranked the legal studies program as the best online bachelor’s program in the nation in 2018-2019.
In 2020, UCF’s legal studies program ranked No. 2 among best online paralegal programs by Bachelor’s Degree Center.
The job outlook for legal studies is expected to grow 10% through 2029.
The median earnings for legal sciences graduates is $52,000.

Undergraduate Application Deadlines

Fall
May 1
Spring
November 1
Summer
March 1
Fall
July 1
Spring
November 1
Summer
March 1
Fall
March 1
Spring
September 1
Summer
January 1

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Course Overview

Criminal Law

Explore the basic concepts of substantive criminal law. The course includes examination of elements of major crimes, criminal responsibility, legal defenses and parties to crime.

Get an introduction to the legal issues and regulation of sports, focusing on torts, contracts, agency and constitutional law as applied to athletes.

Receive an introduction to the control and regulation of the entertainment industry and the associated legal issues.

The discipline of legal studies endures because it is interdisciplinary with deep historical roots that, although not carving a direct or perfect path, seeks to ensure social and equal justice. The law's creation through a constitutional challenge touches all aspects of our human life and exchanges. The study of law, rights and duties — in essence, civic education — remains as important today as ever.””

— Dr. Alisa Smith, Legal Studies Department Chair, UCF

Legal Studies Skills You'll Learn

  • Gain a foundational understanding of the law that will enhance all other fields of study.
  • Explore material that’s both interesting and applicable to other fields including engineering, events management, business, real estate and much more.
  • Achieve a solid foundation that will help ease your transition into law school (if you choose that route), which will also give you an advantage over other students.

Career Opportunities

  • Lawyer (requires advanced education)
  • Paralegal
  • Law Enforcement
  • Social Worker (requires advanced education)
  • Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Politics

Legal Studies News

Student Life
Forged in Fire
After enduring childhood abuse, Anthony Daniels spent years in the court system and social services. That experience has inspired him to become a lawyer —…
Research
New Study Offers Clues to Origin of Laws
The study found that despite living in separate countries and legal codes separated by thousands of years, people have a universal intuition about whether a…
Alumni
9 UCF Alumni-Owned Businesses to Support on Small Business Saturday
The event, which will be held Nov. 24 this year, reminds us to shop local, support those in the community and is a chance to…
Colleges & Campus
UCF Undergraduates Publish New Law Journal
A new law journal written, edited and published by undergraduate students at UCF is now available and will be distributed to law offices across Central…

University of Central Florida Colleges