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

33 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Students in this major must also complete requirements for a degree in the College of Arts & Sciences .

The interdisciplinary major in Legal Studies allows students to explore the history and impact of the law, its underlying theoretical and philosophical framework, and the political, economic, and cultural forces that affect its development. Graduates with a B.A. or B.S. in legal studies are prepared to pursue graduate or professional study in law, the humanities, or other disciplines, and to begin careers in business, human resources, journalism, public policy, social work, and other fields.

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
• CMST 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, HSDC]
• PHIL 242 - Ethics, Law, and Literature [SGR #4]
• PHIL 462 - Modern Political Philosophy (C) *
• POLS 263 - Introduction to Political Theory
• CMST 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)

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  

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FAST-TRACK PROGRAM

Political Science, Criminal Justice, International Studies, or Legal Studies faculty will nominate high achieving students who are interested in public service careers to the fast-track to the Master of Public Administration program. Students would apply to the USD Graduate School during the spring of their junior year and be admitted to the USD Graduate School contingent on receipt of their undergraduate degree. After completing 90 hours (senior status), students may take 12 graduate hours that will count toward their undergraduate degree and also count toward the NASPAA accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. After receiving their undergraduate degree and satisfactory progress in the four graduate courses, students would continue to pursue coursework leading to the MPA degree.

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 USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization