Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies provides students with an in-depth understanding of the legal system including the infrastructure, the reasoning process and the substantive commitments that the legal system has made.

Law Affects Everyone

As future leaders, students in this major will become critical thinkers able to apply and understand various legal concepts in their interaction with real-world issues locally, nationally and globally.

This program is particularly appropriate for students interested in pursuing a career that integrates legal concepts with other disciplines — or that requires familiarity with extensive aspects of the legal system.

USC Gould School of Law is one of the nation's top-ranked law schools, offering undergraduate law programs and courses taught by its internationally renowned faculty. Learn more about our instructors.

As one of the nation’s top law schools that is home to individuals from all backgrounds, cultures and places, USC Gould recognizes the inherent value that a supportive and engaged academic community offers to students, the legal profession and our broader society.

Undergraduate students majoring in Legal Studies will have the opportunity to intern, as part of their degree requirements.

As a USC student, you will experience a city rich in diversity and a robust economy. A thriving cosmopolitan city with businesses ranging from a vast professional and cultural arenas. Discover the City of Angels.

The B.S. in Legal studies is a major designed for students who are looking to become future leaders in the community, the city, the state, the nation and the world. It is also suitable for students wanting to pursue graduate education in various disciplines, including economics, humanities, social science, political science, business, health care, public service and many more, and for anyone who wants to obtain a general understanding of the place of law in contemporary society.

Admissions & Financial Aid

USC Gould School of Law offers a legal studies bachelor’s degree, minor programs and progressive and accelerated degrees — in addition to student organizations and standalone law courses.

The BS in Legal Studies offers foundational knowledge in law. Students gain early exposure to legal concepts. This could help a student identify if Law School is the right next step for them. Law Schools accept students from a wide variety of majors. Undergraduate students should feel empowered to choose the major that they are genuinely interested in.

Legal Studies takes a deep dive into the legal framework and teaches students what goes into creating and carrying out law. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the legal system including the infrastructure, the reasoning process and the substantive commitments that the legal system has made. The major requirements are all Law courses through the Gould School of Law.

As part of your academic learning experience, we strongly encourage students to seek out internships on their own; however, if students need assistance in attaining an internship, we have dedicated staff to help and support their needs.

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LAW 101w - Law and the U.S. Constitution in Global History: 4
LAW 200w - Law and Society: 4
LAW 205 - Introduction to Criminal Law: 4

LAW 210p - Fundamentals of the U.S. Legal System: 4
LAW 220 - The Legal Profession: 2
LAW 225 - Current Court Cases: 2
LAW 300 - Concepts in American Law: 4

Students must choose one of the tracks listed below. Each track requires 20 units from its respective course list, and 16 of those units must be upper division courses (numbered at the 300-400 level).

LAW 202 - Wrongful Convictions: 4
LAW 207 - Personal Data in the 21st Century: 4
LAW 211 - Intellectual Property and Technology: 4
LAW 212 - Immigration Law for a New America: 4
LAW 250w - Children and the Law: 4
LAW 301 Voting Rights and the Law
LAW 306 Issues in the Use of AI in Law and Regulation
LAW 407 Regulatory Law
LAW 352 - Introduction to Law and Economics: 4
LAW 355 - Law and the Landscape of Homelessness: 4
LAW 401 - Cybersecurity & Cybercrime: 4
LAW 402 - Psychology and Law: 4
LAW 403 - Mental Health Law: 4
LAW 404 - Psychology of the Criminal Justice Process: 4
PPD 314 - Public Policy & the Law: 4

LAW 201 - Law and Politics: 4
LAW 202 - Wrongful Convictions: 4
LAW 203 The American Criminal Justice System: A Critical Introduction
LAW 207 - Personal Data in the 21st Century: 4
LAW 211 - Intellectual Property and Technology: 4
LAW 212 - Immigration Law for a New America: 4
LAW 250w - Children and the Law: 4
LAW 275p - The Origin and Evolution of American Civil Rights Law: 4
LAW 301 Voting Rights and the Law
LAW 305 - International Influence: Law & Power: 4
LAW 306 Issues in the Use of AI in Law and Regulation
LAW 310w - Global Justice for Mass Atrocities and Genocide: 4
LAW 320 Law, Slavery, and Race
LAW 355 - Law and the Landscape of Homelessness: 4
LAW 401 - Cybersecurity & Cybercrime: 4
LAW 403 - Mental Health Law: 4
LAW 404 - Psychology of the Criminal Justice Process: 4
LAW 406 - Individual Rights in U.S. Constitutional Law: 4
LAW 407 Regulatory Law
PPD 314 - Public Policy and the Law: 4

FBE 428 - Introduction to Employment Law: 4
LAW 207 - Personal Data in the 21st Century: 4
LAW 211 - Intellectual Property and Technology: 4
LAW 311 Fundamentals of Entertainment Law LAW 324 - Sports Law: 4
LAW 350 - Law and Entrepreneurship: 4
LAW 352 - Introduction to Law and Economics: 4
LAW 401 - Cybersecurity & Cybercrime: 4

Must take 8 units from the Public Law Track
Must take 8 units from the Private Law Track
Must take 4 units from the Regulatory State Track

LAW 497 - Legal Studies Capstone Project: 2
LAW 498 - Law Internship: 2

Eight courses in six Core Literacies, plus two courses in Global Perspectives (which may double-count with courses in the Core Literacies). In addition, all entering first-year students are expected to complete a General Education Seminar during their first year at USC. These seminars satisfy one of the Core Literacy requirements above.

GE-A: The Arts (one course)
GE-B: Humanistic Inquiry (two courses)
GE-C: Social Analysis (two courses)
GE-D: Life Sciences (one course)
GE-E: Physical Sciences (one course)
GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning (one course)

GE-G: Citizenship in a Global Era (one course)
W (LAW 101, 200, 250 & 310 meet GE-G requirement)
GE-H: Traditions and Historical Foundations (one course)
P (LAW 210 & 275 meet GE-H requirement)

WRIT 150 - Writing and Critical Reasoning-Thematic Approaches: 4
WRIT 340 - Advanced Writing: 4

Gain extensive knowledge of the United States legal system.
Analyze how law affects civil society through various aspects of law:
- Legal infrastructure, both in the U.S. and across the globe
- The reasoning process that courts employ when interpreting the Constitution, statutes, regulation and the common law, and which purports to justify specific legal decisions
- The substantive commitments that the legal system has made
- And how these three aspects of law are affected by normative, historical and societal influences
Explain and critically evaluate how the use of legal concepts and legal reasoning interact with and affect social issues.
Apply advanced critical and analytical thinking skills.

View an example of a four-year course plan.

In recent years, the legal field has been diversifying and employing many individuals in new and exciting roles. As the field has grown and evolved, so have the employment interests and objectives for college graduates who are interested in working in law but may not want to become practicing attorneys. USC Gould's bachelor's degree in Legal Studies provides students with a strong foundation that will prepare them for innovative and emerging employment opportunities or graduate studies.

Below is a sampling of jobs that BS Legal Studies graduates will be well-suited for:

Auditor
Case Manager
City, County or State Planner
Civil Rights Advocate
Commercial Developer
Compliance Officer
Compliance Specialist
Conflict Resolution Specialist
Consumer Safety Officer
Contracts Administrator
Corporate Ethics Officer
Court Reporter
E-Discovery Analyst
Employee Benefits Manager

Environmental Impact Analyst
Environmental Protection Specialist
Foreign Affairs Officer
Government Agent (e.g. law enforcement)
Health/Medical Administrator
Human Resources Specialist
Human Rights Officer
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Immigration Officer
Immigration Specialist
Jury Consultant
Legal Administrator
Legal Correspondent
Legislator

Litigation Support
Professional
Lobbyist
Mediation Specialist
Natural Resources Manager
Ombudsperson
Paralegal Specialist
Policy Analyst
Policy Advisor
Procurement Analyst
Public Affairs/Media Manager
Resource Manager
Trial Consultant
UN - Human Rights and Political Affairs
Victim Advocate / Coordinator

Meet our Student Ambassadors

Our student ambassadors are available to answer any of your questions about undergraduate student life at Gould and USC. Email them anytime at UGambassadors@law.usc.edu

Diego is a first-year majoring in Legal Studies. His areas of interest are corporate law and the private sector. This past year, he has been working at Operation New Hope helping at-risk youth. He is a part of Latino Students in Law, La CASA, Latin dance, and Trojan Boxing. In his free time, he likes to go hiking, biking, exploring, and gaming.

Email Diego

Mia is a second-year majoring in legal studies. She is on the general track, exploring sectors such as criminal law, corporate law, and more. She is a part of and one of the directors of BreakThrough hip-hop. In her free time, she likes to dance, read, and go hiking.

Email Mia

Amani is a second-year student majoring in Legal Studies. His area of interest is private law, particularly the intersection of law and business. He is passionate about understanding how these two fields shape the workings of our country and believes that a strong education in both will be key to making an impact. This year, Amani is looking forward to working with JusticeCorps, providing legal assistance to self-represented litigants in the surrounding South Central area. He is also involved in the Trojan Review, Black Pre-Law Student Association, Southern California Moot Court, Blackstonians, and LSSA. Additionally, he holds an executive position in USC’s Political Student Assembly. In his free time, Amani enjoys playing tennis, board games, and spending time with friends.

Email Amani

Interested? Request More Information

When you graduate from USC Gould, you join USC's famed Trojan Family.

An alumni network over 480,000 strong, the Trojan Family spans the globe and will remain one of your most valuable — and lifelong — professional resources. Our more-than 15,000 law alumni share a steadfast commitment to nurturing the next generation of students.