{"id":860,"date":"2022-08-26T14:41:07","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T14:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/?page_id=860"},"modified":"2025-09-05T14:38:45","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T14:38:45","slug":"legal-studies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/legal-studies\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tarleton State University Legal Studies Program\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TC1DzYVn1Dg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Studies Degree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Legal Studies program continues the Tarleton tradition of offering excellent academic programs that prepare students for success! After almost four years of work and preparation, Tarleton has achieved its goal of being one of only 2 ABA-approved bachelor&#8217;s degree programs in the state of Texas! The ABA-approved status confirms that our program is among the highest quality in the nation and students can be confident that their degree will prepare them to enter the workforce or pursue advanced academic credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, our new blended\/hybrid model makes the Legal Studies program available beyond Stephenville to Fort Worth\/Dallas are residents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:29px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose Your Path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-columns advgb-columns-wrapper\" id=\"advgb-cols-c0caefe2-9360-469f-b492-ba329b51c4fe\"><div class=\"advgb-columns-container\"><div class=\"advgb-columns advgb-columns-row advgb-is-mobile advgb-columns-2 layout-23-13 mbl-layout-stacked gutter-20 vgutter-10 order-rtl\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column advgb-is-two-thirds-tablet advgb-is-full-mobile\" id=\"advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea\"><div class=\"advgb-column-inner\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:1px\">\n<p>Legal Studies&nbsp;majors choose between one of two concentration of study. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pre-Law<\/strong>&nbsp;(or Public Law) concentration&nbsp;provides a broad-based, interdisciplinary curriculum designed to develop logical reasoning, rhetoric, analysis, critical thinking, and writing skills, which are critical for students planning to pursue continuing studies in law or other graduate areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Paralegal<\/strong>&nbsp;concentration&nbsp;concentration is designed for students who have logical and analytical minds, possess organizational skills, and thrive on attention to detail.&nbsp;Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law; however, working as part of a legal team under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals perform tasks vital to the success of a case, including drafting legal documents, interviewing witnesses and clients, preparing trial exhibits, and analyzing documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These programs are&nbsp;designed for students who want to work in the legal profession or in fields that require a deeper understanding of our legal system. Each course has been strategically selected and designed to deliver the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to enter the workforce upon graduation or to continue studies in graduate or law school.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-column advgb-column advgb-is-one-third-tablet advgb-is-full-mobile\" id=\"advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5\"><div class=\"advgb-column-inner\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:1px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-container advgb-blocks-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"background-color:#4f2d7f\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"575\" height=\"571\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/250\/2022\/10\/LSAT-Prep-Discount-3.png\" alt=\"&amp;quot;LSAT test prep discount for Tarleton students on Kaplan courses.&amp;quot;\" class=\"wp-image-1209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/250\/2022\/10\/LSAT-Prep-Discount-3.png 575w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/250\/2022\/10\/LSAT-Prep-Discount-3-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/250\/2022\/10\/LSAT-Prep-Discount-3-403x400.png 403w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-button alignfull is-style-squared\"><a class=\"wp-block-advgb-button_link advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945\" href=\"mailto:legalstudies@tarleton.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Contact Us<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advising Guides 2024-2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the hyperlinks below to download a recommended 8-semester plan for completing your degree at either the Stephenville or Fort Worth campus. <strong>**Updated guides coming soon!!**<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-advgb-table advgb-table-frontend\"><tbody><tr><td><\/td><td><strong>Stephenville Campus<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Fort Worth Campus<\/strong><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bachelor of Arts<\/strong><\/td><td>Pre-law concentration<br>Paralegal concentration<\/td><td>Pre-law concentration<br>Paralegal concentration<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Bachelor of Science<\/strong><\/td><td>Pre-law concentration<br>Paralegal concentration<\/td><td>Pre-law concentration<br>Paralegal concentration<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"minor-in-legal-studies-2133c1ce-ce4c-4279-9f57-8ac7529e3be6\">Minor in Legal Studies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Download the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/250\/2022\/08\/Generic-20_Minor1.docx\">Requirements<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Minor in Legal Studies is a great choice for students who want a deeper understanding of our legal system. A great value-added to any degree, the Minor in Legal Studies will supplement course work in other disciplines such as business or criminal justice. Additionally, for those considering law school in the future, this minor provides an introduction to the skills and knowledge needed to be successful, and finally, legal studies will enrich your understanding of legal issues that impact our nation, communities, and lives. The minor is not intended to prepare students to work as paralegals and is not approved by the American Bar Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:57px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-adv-tabs advgb-tabs-wrapper advgb-tab-horz-desktop advgb-tab-vert-tablet advgb-tab-stack-mobile advgb-tabs-25e0bffd-d033-4185-a79f-dae89f393276\" data-tab-active=\"0\"><ul class=\"advgb-tabs-panel\"><li class=\"advgb-tab\" style=\"background-color:#e0e0e0;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><a id=\"advgb-tabs-tab0\" href=\"#advgb-tabs-tab0\" style=\"color:#fff\"><span>Legal Specialties<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"advgb-tab\" style=\"background-color:#e0e0e0;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><a id=\"advgb-tabs-tab1\" href=\"#advgb-tabs-tab1\" style=\"color:#fff\"><span>Transfer Credit<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"advgb-tab\" style=\"background-color:#e0e0e0;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><a id=\"advgb-tabs-tab2\" href=\"#advgb-tabs-tab2\" style=\"color:#fff\"><span>Program Objectives<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"advgb-tab\" style=\"background-color:#e0e0e0;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\"><a id=\"advgb-tabs-tab3\" href=\"#advgb-tabs-tab3\" style=\"color:#fff\"><span>Faculty<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-wrapper\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:10px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class-advgb-tabs-tab0\">Legal Specialties<\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_664b8f-dd advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tabs-tab0\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Specialties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students must have a minimum of 21-credits of&nbsp;<em>legal specialty<\/em>&nbsp;courses taken either at Tarleton State University or by approved credit transfer. A&nbsp;<em>legal specialty<\/em>&nbsp;course is a LEGL course that covers substantive law or legal procedures or process, has been developed for paralegals, emphasizes practical paralegal skills, and meets the American Bar Association&#8217;s instructional methodology requirements. The following courses have been designated as&nbsp;<em>legal specialties<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 2330, Introduction to Legal Studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 3332, Legal Ethics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 3340, Legal Research &amp; Writing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 3350, Professional Practices in Law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 3388, Civil Procedure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 4084\/4382, Internship\/Virtual Internship<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LEGL 4390, Legal Studies Capstone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All students must take at least 9 credit hours of legal specialty course work in synchronous or in-person format.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class-advgb-tabs-tab1\">Transfer Credit<\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_c7cb2c-c5 advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tabs-tab1\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer Credit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Credit for equivalent LEGL courses considered&nbsp;<em>legal specialties<\/em>&nbsp;under the ABA Guidelines is accepted for students transferring from paralegal programs, whether the transferring institution is ABA-approved or not. If a student has earned credit from an institution that is not ABA-approved, the Legal Studies coordinator will review the course description, course syllabus, and contact the program coordinator of the transferring institution, if needed, before approving the credit transfer for equivalent LEGL courses. A maximum of 21-credit hours will be accepted for equivalent LEGL courses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class-advgb-tabs-tab2\">Program Objectives<\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_17a9f2-1b advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tabs-tab2\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tarleton Legal Studies graduates will be able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prepare documents necessary for representation of clients in a legal matter, including correspondence, litigation, transactional, and advisory materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perform legal and factual research, utilizing appropriate resources for locating and communicating findings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for discipline-specific technology, including, but not limited to case management, time management and billing, legal research, and trial presentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrate civic skills and appropriate civic dispositions and behaviors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Analyze personal and professional situations, and then evaluate and select the behavioral option which most closely conforms to the ethical rules regulating the legal profession.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-advgb-tab advgb-tab-body-container\"><div class=\"advgb-tab-body-header advgb-tab-class-advgb-tabs-tab3\">Faculty<\/div><div class=\"advgb-tab-_ca60d5-32 advgb-tab-body\" aria-labelledby=\"advgb-tabs-tab3\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Faculty<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-advgb-table advgb-table-frontend\"><tbody><tr><td>Name<\/td><td>Title<\/td><td>Education<\/td><td>Expertise<\/td><td>Office<\/td><td>Phone<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:odell@tarleton.edu\">Dr. Amy O&#8217;Dell&nbsp;<\/a><\/td><td>Assistant Professor<\/td><td>J.D., Delaware Law School, Widener University; Ph.D., Liberty University<\/td><td>Legal Ethics, Law and Higher Education, and Legal Studies<\/td><td>O.A. Grant 377&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<a href=\"tel:+1%20254-968-9027\">254-968-9027<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:cdthompson@tarleton.edu\">Dr. Casey Thompson<\/a><\/td><td>Assistant Professor<\/td><td>M.A., American Public University, J.D. Wesleyan<\/td><td>American Government, Texas Government, and Legal Studies<\/td><td>Library 144<\/td><td><a href=\"tel:1-254-968-1698\">254-968-1698<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"mailto:styron@tarleton.edu\">Dr. Kelli Styron<\/a><\/td><td>Professor<\/td><td>J.D., Baylor University<\/td><td>Criminal procedure, Civil procedure<\/td><td>O.A. Grant  357<\/td><td>254-968-9994<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<style class=\"advgb-styles-renderer\">#advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea>.advgb-column-inner{}}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#424242 !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945 > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#424242 !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945 > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}#advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5>.advgb-column-inner{}}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#424242 !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945 > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}#advgb-cols-c0caefe2-9360-469f-b492-ba329b51c4fe{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-cols-c0caefe2-9360-469f-b492-ba329b51c4fe{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-cols-c0caefe2-9360-469f-b492-ba329b51c4fe{}}#advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-71e34f06-d826-4935-a448-08225aa729ea>.advgb-column-inner{}}#advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5>.advgb-column-inner{}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {#advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5>.advgb-column-inner{}}@media screen and (max-width: 767px) {#advgb-col-01c75ed9-bdd6-40d4-9beb-b6e3eb2f79b5>.advgb-column-inner{}}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945{font-size:18px;color:#fff !important;background-color:#424242 !important;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px !important;padding:10px 30px 10px 30px;border-width:1px !important;border-style:none;border-radius:50px !important;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945:hover{box-shadow:1px 1px 12px 0px #ccc;opacity:1;transition:all 0.2s ease;}.advgbbtn-b674bd08-9e4c-4c36-9962-b1996baa8945 > i {font-size:30px;color:inherit;float:left;margin-right:7px;}.advgb-tabs-25e0bffd-d033-4185-a79f-dae89f393276 ul.advgb-tabs-panel li.advgb-tab.advgb-tab-active {background-color:#4f2d7f !important;color:#fff !important;}#advgb-tabs-25e0bffd-d033-4185-a79f-dae89f393276 .advgb-tab-body-header.header-active, .advgb-tabs-25e0bffd-d033-4185-a79f-dae89f393276 .advgb-tab-body-header.header-active{background-color:#4f2d7f !important;color:#fff !important;}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Legal Studies Degree The Legal Studies program continues the Tarleton tradition of offering excellent academic programs that prepare students for success! After almost four years of work and preparation, Tarleton &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":580,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-860","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/author\/","display_name":""},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 4 years ago","modified":"Updated 7 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on August 26, 2022","modified":"Updated on September 5, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on August 26, 2022 2:41 pm","modified":"Updated on September 5, 2025 2:38 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/860","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=860"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/860\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1998,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/860\/revisions\/1998"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/glsp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}