Legal Studies BA/Law JD

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for matriculation to the School of Law, Accelerated BA to Law JD students must meet the Law JD Admission Criteria  

Course Requirements

JD Requirements

Notes

*Continuation in the major will be contingent on completing PSC 101  and HIS 161  or HIS 162  with a minimum grade of C in each

Total Credits Required for Undergraduate Major: 42-43

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

• Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
• 7-8 undergraduate elective credits

Total Undergraduate Credits Required: 90

Total Credits Required for Graduate Degree: 90

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 180

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Academic Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 in the undergraduate major. All courses taken by a student that are included in the Legal Studies BA curriculum will be used in calculation of the major GPA. For example, if a curriculum requires a student to select two courses from a particular section and the student completes three courses from that section, all three courses would be used to calculate a student’s major GPA. The Legal Studies BA may not be combined with any other undergraduate major to form a joint major.  Students pursuing a double major may use a maximum of two advanced (300 or 400 level) courses towards both undergraduate majors. For example a student completing a double major between Legal Studies and sociology may take only two advanced level sociology courses for completion of the Legal Studies major.

For students not continuously registered at UB or who are newly admitted transfer students, courses taken more than 10 years prior to the date of admission or readmission to the University may constitute no more than 20% of a major program in the Legal Studies major.

Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy

At least 50 percent of coursework toward the major must be completed at UB. Courses taken more than 10 years prior to the date of admission to the University may constitute no more than 20% of a major program in the Legal Studies major.

Program Distinction

A student in this major is eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met. Criteria are found under Academic Honors in the Policy and Procedure section of this Catalog. Program Distinction is noted on the official transcript.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the US Constitution, impact of the US Constitution on American law and life, the evolution of constitutional interpretation, and the role of the courts.
• Demonstrate understanding of the systems through which law is created, changed and administered; law in transnational contexts, the institutions of the law and law as a social phenomenon; the law’s dynamic relation with health, welfare, and the environment.
• Understand aspects of the role of law in regulating behavior, the relation of law to politics, social structure, race, gender, and class.
• Communicate proficiently in both written and oral form.
  • Develop writing and analytical skills associated with the evaluation of data or patterns of argument.
  • Develop the ability to effectively construct and evaluate arguments for and against competing claims.
  • Present a predictive analysis and a persuasive argument orally.
• Identify relevant legal and factual issues; undertake legal research; and employ these skills in legal analysis, reasoning, and problem solving.
  • Develop the ability to apply reasoning in the analysis of a wide range of social, political, and legal issues and problems.
  • Engage in theoretical interpretation of philosophy, social, and legal ideas and phenomena.
• Fulfill professional values and ethical responsibilities to clients, the legal system, and the public.
• Apply professional skills needed for competent and ethical participation as a member of the legal profession in the appropriate cultural and social context.

(HEGIS: 49.03 HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCI, CIP: 45.0101 Social Sciences, General)