General overview of the undergraduate Legal Studies Program at the University of Memphis

1. Legal Studies
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

2. www.memphis.edu
(1) Theory, process,
application, and
ethics of law
(2) Legal and factual
research and
investigation skills
(3) Law-related technologies
(4) Professional decorum and communication skills
What We Teach

3. www.memphis.edu
Degree:
Bachelor of
Professional Studies
Concentration:
Legal Studies
Department:
University College
Legal Studies

4. www.memphis.edu
• Interdisciplinary
• Flexible
• Practical
• Realistic
• Balanced
• Student-centered
Legal Studies

5. STUDENTS:
You might be a good fit
for Legal Studies if…

6. www.memphis.edu
You might be a good fit if…
• You prefer discussion over
lecture
• You prefer projects over
quizzes
• You often want to challenge
the “right” answer on a test

7. www.memphis.edu
• You want more than a
“yes” or “no” answer
• You often ask, “Why?”
• You believe solutions aren’t always clear-cut
• You can often understand or relate to both
sides of an argument
You might be a good fit if…

8. www.memphis.edu
You might be a good fit if…
• You like technology
• You want to learn things that
you can use right now
• You want teachers who are
practicing what they teach
• You don’t mind night classes
and online classes

9. www.memphis.edu
You might be a good fit if…
• You want your field of study
to always be relevant
• You’re curious about how
societal norms are shaped
and governed
• You’re interested in resolving social, cultural,
political, or interpersonal conflicts

10. LEGL####
Courses on the Menu

11. www.memphis.edu
Degree Requirements
Gen Ed: 35-41 cr Fresh/Soph
COORD.
STUDY
Legal Studies Core 30 cr Soph/Jr/Sr
Law-Related Electives 12 cr Jr/Sr
Interdisciplinary Electives 12 cr Jr/Sr
U.C.
Thematic Studies 6 cr Any Time
Senior Project 3 cr Last Semester
Student Choice [Balance] Any Time
TOTAL: 120 credits

12. www.memphis.edu
Current Courses
• Legal Ethics
• Introduction to Law
• Legal Research & Writing I
• Estates & Probate
• Contracts / Commercial Law
• Torts
• Business Associations
• Civil Procedure
• Family Law
• Labor Law
• Bankruptcy
• Real Estate
• Criminal Law
• Administrative Law
• Legal Research & Writing II
• Health Care Law
• Immigration Law
• (plus Internship)

13. www.memphis.edu
Also Required
• 150-hour Internship
– Legal field
– Senior year
– 3 credits
• Senior Project (capstone)
– Final Semester
– Complex legal brief
– 3 credits (online)

14. MOVIN’ ON UP
Recent Improvements

15. www.memphis.edu
• Computers and Law
• Required
upper-division
ENGL courses
Recent Improvements
• Technology Across the
Curriculum
• Writing Across the
Curriculum
• More 4000-level courses

16. www.memphis.edu
• Computers and Law
• Required
upper-division
ENGL courses
Recent Improvements
• Immigration Law
• Health Care Law
• Mock Trial
• Religion on Trial
• More “Special Topics”
Courses

17. www.memphis.edu
Paralegal
Studies
Recent Improvements
LEGAL
STUDIES

18. Looking Forward
Post Graduation

19. www.memphis.edu
Outlook

20. www.memphis.edu
Options, Options, Options
• Traditional Law Firm
• Corporations (In-House Legal)
• Government (all three branches)
• Non-Profits
• Academia
• Regulatory Bureaus
• Trial Support
• Investigation
• Journalism
• Politics
• Policy / Research / Think Tanks
• Independent Work / Entrepreneurship
• Law School
• Business School
• Master’s Degree

22. Questions???
legalstudies@memphis.edu