Legal Studies
Please note: This program is not currently accepting new enrollments.
If you naturally seek justice and equality, respect the state and U.S. Constitutions, and appreciate the importance of law and order in the functioning of a safe and productive society, we make the case for you to embark upon study in Legal Studies.
Our instructors are among the best in the field, with real-world experience that will provide valuable life lessons that augment formal book knowledge. The program has built a reputation for excellence among law schools and law firms.
Central Penn College also offers a Paralegal associate degree.
Earn Your Law Degree in 5 Years
A new, innovative “2+3” agreement between Central Penn College and Widener University Commonwealth Law School will enable full-time students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in just five years, saving them significant time and money. Typically, it takes seven years for full-time students to complete a law degree, an academic journey that requires four years for a bachelor’s degree and three for a juris doctorate.
American Bar Association (ABA) Approved
The Legal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Non-attorneys may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. The ABA approval requires that nine (9) credit hours of legal specialty courses be taken in the traditional (face-to-face) format.
- Limitation on transfer of legal specialty credits: Effective Summer 2022, students transferring credits into the Legal Studies bachelor’s program may not transfer more than 15 credits of legal specialty courses. Legal specialty courses are:
- LGL210/LGS135 Legal Research and Writing I
- LGL211/LGS280 Legal Research and Writing II
- LGL220/LGS140 Civil Litigation I
- LGL221/LGS230 Civil Litigation II
- LGL240/LGS200 Contracts and Commercial Transactions
- LGL270/LGS160 Wills and Estates
- LGL280/LGS190 Family Law
- LGL330/LGS275 Bankruptcy Law
- LGL340/LGS290 Fundamentals of Real Estate Law
As required by the ABA, LGS135, LGS140, LGS230, and LGS280 may not be replaced with transfer credits unless the transferred courses were taken in a traditional classroom format.
A minor in legal studies is available to any student outside the paralegal associate and legal studies bachelor’s programs.
The minor in legal studies is not approved by the ABA and is not intended to prepare students to work as paralegals.
Program offered
On-ground, hybrid
In the news
Legal Studies at Central Penn College Claims Tech Upgrades
Central Penn alumnus recruits and retains wounded service members
Angelina Hollingsworth: Justice is Blind
Courses
Foundations in Law
Principles of Legal Research
Legal Research and Writing I & II
Criminal Procedure
Historical Perspectives of the Constitution
Contracts
Evidence
Torts
Administrative Law
Criminal Law
Legal Seminar
Civil Litigation I & II
Legal Communications
Advanced Legal Research and Writing
Internship/Capstone Course
Careers you can pursue
- Paralegal
- Compliance Officer
- Law Clerk
- Legal Assistant
- Regulatory Officer
- Corporate Investigator
- Lobbyist
- Private Legal Investigator
You will succeed if you are...
- Highly organized
- Good communication skills
- Self-motivated
- Detail-oriented
- Methodical
- Critical Thinker
- Exhibits grace under pressure
- Persistent
- Empathetic
88.1% of our graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation.
* Based on graduates whom we have information during a one-year period from 2022-23. It should be noted that 98.1% of graduates were employed in some capcity or continuing their education.
