Legal Studies (B.A., B.S.)

Major Requirements (15 hours)

• LEGL 101 - Introduction to Legal Studies
• LEGL 301 - Legal Writing and Research
• LEGL 489 - Legal Studies Capstone

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• Reasoning: Choose one of the following (3 cr)

• PHIL 200 - Introduction to Logic (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• PHIL 201 - Ethics, Law, and Logic

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• Advocacy: Choose one of the following (3 cr)

• CJUS 340 - Mock Trial
• POLS 340 - Mock Trial
• SPCM 222 - Argumentation and Debate (C) [SGR #2, HSDC]

Major Electives (6 hours)

• ANTH 331 - Native Peoples and Cultures of North America
• CJUS 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
• CJUS 407 - Environmental Law & Policy (C)
• CJUS 415 - Ethics in Criminal Justice
• CJUS 430 - Constitutional Law (C) *
• CJUS 431 - Criminal Law (C) *
• CJUS 436 - Juvenile Justice (C)
• LDR 404 - Leadership Communication & Conflict Resolution
• LEGL XXX - Any LEGL Course *
• PHIL 240 - Introduction to Ethics, Law, and Society [SGR #4]
• PHIL 242 - Ethics, Law, and Literature [SGR #4]
• PHIL 462 - Modern Political Philosophy (C) *
• POLS 263 - Introduction to Political Theory
• SPCM 485 - Communication and Conflict Resolution (C)

• *May count as elective if not applied above

Nondepartmental Requirements (12 hours)

• Choose one of the following courses in American History (3 cr)

• ANTH 323 - Lakota History and South Dakota
• HIST 416 - Civil Rights Movement (C)
• HIST 450 - American Colonial History (C)
• HIST 452 - Young America
• HIST 455 - American Civil War and Reconstruction (C)
• HIST 457 - America: From Great Depression to the New Frontier, 1933-1963
• HIST 458 - America: 60s & 70s
• HIST 459 - Vietnam War, 1945-1975 (C)
• NATV 323 - Lakota History and South Dakota

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• Choose one of the following courses in Government (3 cr)

• ANTH 423 - Lakota Governance
• CJUS 429 - Courts & Judicial Politics
• CJUS 430 - Constitutional Law (C)
• HIST 310 - Federal Indian Policy
• INTS 458 - Democracy and Authoritarianism
• LEGL 401 - Law and Society (C)
• LEGL 430 - Constitutional Law (C)
• LEGL 454 - International Law and Organizations (C)
• NATV 310 - Federal Indian Policy
• NATV 423 - Lakota Governance
• POLS 210 - State & Local Government (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
• POLS 320 - Public Administration (C)
• POLS 429 - Courts & Judicial Politics
• POLS 430 - Constitutional Law (C)
• POLS 438 - The Legislative Process
• POLS 454 - International Law and Organizations (C)
• POLS 458 - Democracy and Authoritarianism

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• Choose one of the following courses in Business and Commerce (3 cr)

• BADM 350 - Legal Environment of Business (C)
• ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
• ENTR 311 - Finance and Acct for Entrepreneurs
• MCOM 402 - Media Law and Ethics

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• Choose one of the following courses in Law and Society (3 cr)

• CJUS 401 - Law and Society (C)
• CJUS 412 - Criminal Prosecution & Defense (C)
• CJUS 450 - Justice and Compassion
• CJUS 480 - Crime in Indian Country
• HIST 332 - Pirates, Outlaws & Rebels
• HIST 343 - Race, Imperialism, and Empire
• HIST 348 - Religion in American History
• HIST 349 - Women in American History (C)
• HIST 351 - Indigenous Women
• HIST 461 - Sex & Equality: Modern U.S. Women’s Movements
• NATV 351 - Indigenous Women
• NATV 480 - Crime in Indian Country
• PHIL 338 - Philosophy of Law (C)
• PHIL 364 - Biomedical Ethics
• PHIL 440 - Civic Engagement
• PHIL 450 - Oppression and Freedom
• PHIL 454 - Environmental Ethics (C)
• PHIL 462 - Modern Political Philosophy (C)

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Effective written communication within a legal context.
2. Effective oral communication and presentation of complex ideas.
3. Logical and critical thinking required for the interpretation and application of the law.
4. Understanding of the history, interdisciplinary context, and application of the law.
5. Students will use a systematic process of exploring issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
6. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
7. Students will recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
8. Students will be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
9. Students will intentionally engage with diversity in ways that increase awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan.

• Legal Studies, B.A. 4-year plan guide  
• Legal Studies, B.S. 4-year plan guide  

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization