Academics > Academic Programs > Bachelor's - Legal Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Legal Studies
The Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies offers an exceptional level of preparation for a paralegal career or a pre-law education through a curriculum of courses which includes hands-on study of legal research and writing, law office and courtroom procedures, and case preparation including participation in a mock trial.
You Will Learn
Students in the Program will benefit from advanced resources of legal education, including Central Penn's own law library fully equipped with up to date print volumes and state-of-the-art computerized research tools. You will learn:
- A thorough comprehension of relevant bodies of law, the legal system, judicial processes, and prevailing legal theory.
- Problem-solving and research ability relative to legal issues, principles, and procedures.
- Computer literacy.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Technical skills in legal research, writing and analysis, substantive case evaluation, legal communication, law office and courtroom procedures, and case preparation and management. Proficiency in the use of computer-assisted legal research.
- The ability to perform and manage procedural and substantive legal tasks in an ethical manner.
- Professional maturity and preparedness to function effectively and professionally in a legal environment.
Potential Careers
Central Penn will prepare students to work in an exciting and challenging legal environment.
- Lawyers
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers
- Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators
- Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates
- Law Clerks
ABA Approved
The Legal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Paralegals may not provide legal services to the public except as permitted by law. The ABA approval requires that ten (10) hours of legal specialty courses be taken in the traditional (face-to-face) format.
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please click here.
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Internship
As a career-oriented college, and in addition to our hands-on curriculum, Central Penn requires all students to complete an internship or capstone course. This opportunity allows students to participate and experience their future careers in the real world. Internships are 360 hours in length.
Middle States Accreditation
Central Penn College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267.284.5000). The Middle States Commission (www.MSCHE.org) on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Approved by: the Secretary of Education and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to award the Master of Professional Studies degree, the Bachelor of Science degree, the Associate’s in Science degree, and the Associate in Applied Science degree.
Academic Road Map
Roadmap: Legal Studies – Bachelor of Science
Department of Legal Studies
Catalog Year: 2017-18
This Roadmap is a recommended term-by-term plan of study for this major. However, courses and milestones designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
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CRITICAL
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COURSE SUBJECT AND TITLE
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CREDIT HOURS
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ATTRIBUTE
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NOTES
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TERM 1
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Fall 2017
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LGS110 Foundations in Law
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3
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Core class
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LGS180 Historical Perspectives of the Constit.
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3
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Core Class
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|
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ENG101
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3
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IDS101 CPC Foundations
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3
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TERM 2
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Winter 2018
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LGS260 Administrative Law
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3
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Core Class
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LGS265 Criminal Law
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3
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Core Class
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ENG102
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3
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MTH101 College Business Math
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3
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TERM 3
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Spring 2018
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*
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LGS130 Principles of Legal Research
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3
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Core Class
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Offered only in Spring
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LGS200 Contracts
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3
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Core Class
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LGS170 Criminal Procedure
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3
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Core Class
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COM101 Introduction to Human Communications
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3
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TERM 4
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Summer 2018
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*
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LGS135 Legal Research and Writing I
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3
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Core Class
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Offered only in summer on-ground
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*
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LGS140 Civil Litigation I
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3
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Core Class
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Offered only in summer on-ground
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LGS310 Legal Communications
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3
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Core Class
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200+ level Math
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3
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TERM 5
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Fall 2018
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LGS210 Evidence
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3
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Core Class
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*
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LGS230 Civil Litigation II
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3
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Core Class
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Offered only in Fall on-ground
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*
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LGS280 Legal Research and Writing II
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3
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Core Class
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Offered only in Fall on-ground
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LGS285 Legal Seminar
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3
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Core Class
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TERM 6
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Winter 2019
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200+ level Humanities
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3
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200+ level Science
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3
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100+ level Social and Behavioral Science
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3
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LGS400 Advanced Criminal Procedure
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3
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Choice Class
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See below
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TERM 7
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Spring 2019
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LGS410 Advanced Constitutional Law
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3
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Choice Class
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See below
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LGS220 Torts
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3
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Core Class
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200+ level Social Behavioral Science
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3
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100+ level Gen. Ed. elective
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3
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TERM 8
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Summer 2019
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LGS370 Alternative Dispute Resolution
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3
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Choice Class
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See below
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200+ level Social and Behavioral Science
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3
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300+ level Humanities
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3
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300+ level Gen. Ed. elective
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3
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TERM 9
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Fall 2019
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LGS415 Adv. Alternative Dispute Resolution
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3
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Choice Class
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See below
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300+ level Gen. Ed. elective
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3
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300+ level Gen. Ed. elective
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3
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300+ level Gen. Ed. elective
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3
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TERM 10
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Winter 2020
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LGS340 Advanced Legal Research & Writing
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3
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Core Class
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300+ level Humanities
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3
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100+ level Math Science Tech
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3
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100+ level Math Science Tech
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3
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STS300 Job Pursuit Seminar
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1
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TERM 11
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Spring 2020
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LGS499 Internship
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3
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY
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MINIMUM TOTAL HOURS
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GENERAL EDUCAION REQUIREMENTS
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MINIMUM CPC CORE HOURS
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MINIMJM
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MAJOR GPA
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OVERALL GPA
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124
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60
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52
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n/a
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n/a
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Pick 4 choice classes from among the following:
- COM340 Communications Law
Prerequisite: Any one of the following courses: COM140, LGS110, LGS250, or LGS260
- CRI315 Advanced Issues in Evidence Prerequisite: LGS210
- CRI365 Cyber Investigation Prerequisite: None
- LGS370 Alternative Dispute Resolution
Prerequisite: Any one of the following courses: LGS140, LGS190, PSY100, SOC100, SOC105, SOC200, IDS330, BUS365, or POL210
- LGS400 Advanced Criminal Procedure Prerequisite: LGS170
- LGS410 Advanced Constitutional Law Prerequisite: LGS180
- LGS415 Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution
Prerequisite: LGS370
- LGS420 Advanced Criminal Law Prerequisite: LGS265
