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Bachelor's Degree

Legal Studies
Online Bachelor's Degree Program

Calendar

CLASSES START
Jan 6th

36 Mo.

Program Length

125

Credits

Online

Format

$515

Cost Per Credit

Bachelor's Degree

Legal Studies
Online Bachelor's Degree Program

Learn online and take the next step in your career

AccreditationAccredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 93 approved credits1
CertificationPrep for the Certified Paralegal Examination (NALA)
PathwaysEarn dual credit towards an MBA program; steppingstone to apply for law school (bachelor’s degree path)
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University
Legal studies graduate working from home on laptop
US News Best Online Programs Bachelor's 2024 Badge

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online bachelor's programs in 2024

Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
US News Best Online Programs Bachelor's 2024 Badge

Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies - Online

The Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree is a 125-credit undergraduate program which prepares you for a variety of entry-level careers in legal studies. 

The online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in legal research, contract law, family law, law office procedures, ethics, torts, and much more.

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Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

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Flexible schedule

You can take classes during the day or in the evening. We strive to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

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Virtual services

Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

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Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

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Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start January 6th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Legal Studies program online classes & curriculum details

Designed to provide students with a more advanced understanding of law, the Herzing online legal studies program incorporates core business courses to provide a strong background in administration and management.

Graduates are prepared for careers in legal administration, legal assisting, business and management training. The bachelor’s degree path is also a great starting point for those seeking to apply to law school to become a lawyer.

All classes are delivered online with a capstone or internship (if available in your state).

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies36125
i. Average number of months for students to complete program

Required Management Core Courses

All courses, 33.00 semester credit hours, are required.

or  3.00 semester credit hours.

or  3.00 semester credit hours or  3.00 semester credit hours

Required Introductory Legal Studies Courses

All courses, 30.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required Advanced Legal Studies Courses

All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.

or  3.00 semester credit hours or  3.00 semester credit hours

Elective Courses

A minimum of 12.00 semester credit hours is required. At least 6.00 semester credit hours must be paralegal (PL) courses.

Required Project Management

3.00 semester credit hours are required.

or

Required Capstone or Internship

3.00 semester credit hours are required.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 33.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for specific information about courses within each discipline. 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

An alternative: Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal

Looking to get started faster as a paralegal/legal assistant? The Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal degree program in New Orleans prepares students with the skills and knowledge needed for a career as a legal assistant/paralegal working under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Learn more about our online legal studies associate degree program.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the legal studies program is $515 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find my estimate

 Scholarships & Financial Aid

You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.

Find scholarships and grants 

 Military/Veteran Discounts

Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

VA/Military benefits 

 

Requirements

Admissions requirements

Prerequisites to enroll in the Herzing University Legal Studies bachelor's degree program include:

  • Prior education requirement. Completion of high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Entrance testing. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level courses via prior ACT/SAT scores, completion of prior college credit, or additional entrance testing.
  • Availability of time, personal commitment, and a professional attitude. We exist to help enthusiastic students fully committed to reaching their highest career goals. Our faculty and leadership are dedicated to helping you reach them.

You will need to meet and interview with a Herzing University admissions advisor and complete an enrollment application to be admitted into the program.

If you have any additional questions regarding admissions into the program, please contact our admissions team.

Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District Of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.

Classes Start January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Careers

What can I do with a legal studies degree?

The training included in our online legal studies program helps you build a foundation in pre-law so you may pursue a wide variety of career paths. Holders of a bachelor’s degree in legal studies may qualify for many different types of jobs.

Examples of jobs you may pursue with a legal studies degree include:

  • Business positions such as HR representative or compliance
  • Political lobbyist & legislative liaisons
  • City/county, state or federal government jobs
  • Probation officer & parole officer
  • Real estate agent
  • University advising, career departments, libraries & research
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many types of degrees in law, most of which are at the graduate level:

  • Juris Doctor (JD)
  • Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
  • Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
  • Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Doctor of Juridicial Science (SJD)

Herzing University does not offer any graduate law degree programs.

However, if you are looking to start your career in law, Herzing’s undergraduate associate and bachelor’s degree options in legal studies are a great place to begin. Earning an excellent GPA in a degree program like Herzing’s and you can position yourself well to get accepted into law school and pursue the law degree of your choice.

Are there other graduate degree options?

Yes! Your bachelor’s degree in legal studies can also prepare you for Herzing’s Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program. You can even begin to take MBA classes during your bachelor’s degree with our dual enrollment program. Many attorneys who work in business related fields may also choose to complete an MBA in addition to their JD.

Typical prerequisites to get into law school include:

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Admissions test – take the LSAT
  • Letter(s) of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Any requirements unique to the school

Law schools evaluate applicants primarily based on your undergraduate GPA and LSAT score.

Note: a bachelor’s degree related to pre-law is not required to apply to law school. However, if you’re choosing an undergraduate program and seeking a career in law, a legal studies program is a great choice, and can help you affirm your interest in the law as a profession.

Yes! Many lawyers begin their careers as a paralegal / legal assistant, gain valuable experience, continue their education in a graduate program, and advance to higher roles.

If your goal is to become a lawyer or eventually climb the ladder from a legal assisting position, our Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies program provides a strong foundation in pre-law so you may qualify for and excel in law school.

A legal studies degree may be used as a stepping stone to enter law school. The Herzing legal studies program is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of how the legal system works as it relates to law, courts, clients and lawyers. Classes include pre-law topics like legal research, contract law, torts, civil litigation, legal writing and law office procedures along with core management courses and electives.

Herzing University offers associate degree and bachelor’s degree paths in legal studies. Earning an associate degree will prepare you for a job as a paralegal / legal assistant, and earning a bachelor’s in legal studies (with foundation topics in pre-law) will best prepare you for further career possibilities in law.

There are a wide variety of career opportunities in law, including:

  • Lawyer / attorney
  • Paralegal / legal assistant
  • Border patrol & immigration
  • Criminal investigator
  • Criminology
  • Law enforcement
  • FBI, TSA, customs agent

Herzing’s legal studies program prepares many students for careers in business, real estate, government, research, legal office administration, and can be a strong foundation for a future career as a lawyer.

The education you will receive by earning a degree will make you an excellent candidate for many different types of jobs.

Yes! Earning an undergraduate degree in legal studies helps you become eligible for the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal Examination, position yourself for a job as a paralegal / legal assistant and open many doors for advancement in the legal field.

Herzing’s legal studies program helps you build a strong foundation for a long career in law.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), paralegals earn an average salary of $66,460 per year ($31.95 per hour).* Keep in mind this is not an estimate for starting pay in an entry-level position—average pay will vary based on your experience, level of education and the state in which you work. Find the average paralegal salary by state.

The BLS reports a positive outlook for jobs over the next ten years, projecting a 4% increase in employment for paralegals and legal assistants from 2022-2032.*

Our online bachelor of science in legal studies program takes an average of 36 months to complete, meaning you can earn a degree and be ready to start your new career in law in about 3 years.

Accreditation

Accreditation & Disclosures

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

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Herzing Tuition Wizard

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies Online Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$515.00
Base Tuition$64,375.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (93 x $515.00 )(-$47,895.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$16,480.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$545.00
Estimated Total Fee*$1,635.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
93
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
12532
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$69,280.00$18,115.00
Estimated Savings*
$51,165.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants who attended a college or university that closed within the last 12 months and were attending within 120 days of the school closure date

Requirements

Must be enrolled in a comparable program at Herzing University, submit a copy of an official transcript from the closed school, and complete the Closed School Discharge Disclosure

Who Can Apply

The Crisis Support Grant is an emergency grant for active students experiencing a financial crisis

Requirements

GPA requirements must be met. All applicants must be actively enrolled in a degree-seeking program, have a record of good conduct, and financial standing with the university

Who Can Apply

All Herzing University students are eligible to apply via the formal application process outlined below. Students must apply prior to the start of either semester in their last academic year before graduation. The application period is open during the summer semester.

Requirements

An application including a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and examples of community service is required. In addition, the scholarship review committee may review GPA and unmet financial need as part of eligibility criteria.

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need and are unable to cover the cost of attendance with alternative resources in their final academic year

Requirements

Must submit an application and have used all financial resources in the final academic year resulting in a gap in financial resources

Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Dean's List and President's list students

Requirements

Must be enrolled in an Associate or Bachelor program, on the Dean's or President's list, and submit an application.

Who Can Apply

Must be a Herzing graduate who has re-enrolled in a higher-level degree and remain enrolled in the desired program

Requirements

Must be enrolled at least half-time for the duration of the program

Who Can Apply

Must be an international student attending HU through an agreement with a school/agency in your home country

Requirements

Must either be attending a resident campus as F-1 student or enrolled in an online modality study through an established school partnership

Who Can Apply

Must be an eligible AmeriCorps Alumni who is enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree seeking program

Requirements

Must submit a payment request for an eligible institution through their individual account in 'My AmeriCorps'

Who Can Apply

Yellow ribbon may be given to veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate for Post-911

Requirements

100% CH 33 eligible

Who Can Apply

Honorably discharged veterans, severely injured servicemembers, family members of Active Duty Servicemembers and Severely Injured Servicemembers, active duty servicemembers in graduate-level programs, dependents of deceased servicemembers, public safety and first responder personnel

Requirements

Proof of Veteran (DD-214), Active Duty, or injured status is required. 

Proof of active and current employment as public safety personnel or first responder

Who Can Apply

Active Duty Servicemembers in undergraduate programs and National Guard or Reserves activated or actively training and drilling in preparation for potential activation

Requirements

Proof of active duty status is required

Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program.

Requirements

Proof of active and current employment or association with partner organization

Who Can Apply

The E.C. Styberg Scholarship is awarded to recipients enrolled full-time pursuing their degree as a resident of Racine or Kenosha county.

Requirements

Must be Racine or Kenosha County residents pursuing a degree in business administration and management or other majors related to manufacturing. In addition, applicants must be full-time undergraduates in good academic standing who demonstrate financial need.

Who Can Apply

Recipients must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program for the Fall with a Herzing University campus located within Wisconsin.

Requirements

Applicant's background must reflect one or more of the components as determined by the UPS Foundation and CIC's First Opportunity Program: first generation student, low-income, minority; or new American student.

Who Can Apply

The program is designed to provide financial support for women that demonstrate leadership potential, initiative, and excellent communication skills and are pursuing a career or have an interest in public service, government, and/or the political process.

Requirements

To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must be actively enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student in good academic standing and plan to enroll in the Fall. In addition, an applicant must be a female resident of Wisconsin and have a financial need as determined by Herzing University based on eligibility for the Pell Grant.

Who Can Apply

Rath Distinguished Scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, merit, and leadership.

Requirements

Must be an actively enrolled student in good standing. If an entering first year student, the scholarship applicants must have graduated among the top 25 percent of their high school class. If a sophomore, junior, or senior, applicants must have demonstrated academic excellence by maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent). In addition, scholarship recipients are to demonstrate strong campus and community leadership. Applicants must be enrolled through the Fall semester. Scholars must be U.S. citizens; Wisconsin residents preferred.


To Contact a Financial Aid Advisor

Enrolled and active students

Click here: MyHU Advising Team

Prospective students

Call (866) 508-0748 option 2 or Email fa@vbj4.com

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.