Why Major in Legal Studies?
The need for professionals with a strong understanding of the law is growing – in healthcare, business, entertainment, the nonprofit sector, law enforcement, government and more.
Whether you’re an aspiring attorney, juvenile court advocate, legislative assistant, compliance officer, FBI agent, insurance agent, judge, politician and more, Belmont’s legal studies program offers you two different pathways to complete the major and launch your future legal career.
BS/BA in Legal Studies: This pathway allows you to complete the legal studies major with a minor in four years. Many students choosing this option are preparing for work in law-related fields, graduate work outside of law school, or want a more traditional 4-year undergraduate experience before entering law school.
3+ 3 Program (BS/BA)/(JD): Depending on the amount of coursework you might transfer in, this pathway offers an accelerated path to Belmont’s College of Law, allowing you to complete your first year of law school at Belmont during your fourth undergraduate year. You save time and money, completing both your bachelor's in legal studies and Juris Doctor (J.D.) in six years instead of seven.
Am I an Adult Student?
Adult Degree applicants should be 24 years or older. However, exceptions for those under the age of 24 might include evidence of two years or more of military service, marriage or having a family of your own.
Want to transfer previous college credits?
See how your courses will transfer to Belmont University.
What makes Adult Degree Programs special?
Your Success is Personal: Our students are not one-sized fits all, and neither is our commitment to you. Your path to a college degree is unique, and we take your success as personally as you do. Our staff and faculty will be with you from the first point of contact all the way through graduation and beyond, providing personalized guidance and assistance so you don’t have to go it alone.
Education Designed to Elevate Your Career: Whatever adult degree program option you choose, a career-focused curriculum will help you elevate your current career or prepare you for new professional or personal opportunities.
Unique Tuition Discount for Adult Degree Program Students: Belmont is dedicated to offering access to high-quality education for busy adults. Students in Belmont’s Adult Degree Program receive more than a 60% discount off of the tuition cost that traditional Belmont students pay for the very same quality, private school education.
What You'll Learn
With both pathways in the legal studies major, you’ll benefit from small class sizes and mentoring by our interdisciplinary faculty, who bring the expertise and resources of multiple departments at Belmont. You’ll immerse yourself in courses that focus on:
- the judicial system, methods of resolving disputes, constitutional law, torts, criminal law, property and contracts
- argumentation, with emphasis on analysis, evidence, reasoning, constructing & refuting claims
- the entrepreneurial process - solo practitioners and innovation within the legal industry
- fundamental theories of the nature of law or broad themes of social and political philosophy
- examining ethical issues using real-world case studies
Elective courses allow you to focus on areas of potential specialty, including international law, music industry contract law, criminal justice, poverty and justice, communication law, entertainment law, copyright law, or eco-justice and faith.
Program Details
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
The admission decision process for the Adult Degree Program is different from what someone might experience right out of high school. To be eligible for an Adult Degree program, applicants must be 24 years or older or provide evidence of two years or more of military service, marriage or having a family of your own.
Even if you struggled academically when you first attended college, the Belmont Admissions Committee looks at more than just your academic history. We also consider your professional experience and personal accomplishments as we review your application materials.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll have a wealth of opportunities to explore law-related opportunities, make connections and discover your purpose.
- Explore the World: Study global conflict transformation at Queen’s University Belfast or pursue other study abroad opportunities or international internships. You can also obtain law-related internships and more through Belmont USA study away programs in NYC, LA and Washington D.C.
- Gain hands-on experience: Pursue an internship through our many Nashville opportunities! Our students have interned in the Metro Nashville Mayor’s Office - Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement, Nashville Public Defenders Office and for a wide array of attorneys specializing in various areas of the law.
- Join a Student Organization: Choose from 180+ student organizations, including ones focused on various aspects of a career in law like Pre Law Society, AMTA Mock Trial, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, International Justice Mission, Enactus and more.
Career Possibilities
A legal studies degree at Belmont sets you up for many career possibilities in law. Students wanting to become a lawyer will need further education to earn a Juris Doctor, a postgraduate degree that typically takes 3 years.
Lawyers work in a vast array of industries, including:
- Federal, state, and local governments as prosecutors or public defense attorneys
- Government counsels for administrative bodies and executive or legislative branches of government
- Corporate counsels
- Public-interest lawyers
- Entertainment lawyers
- Environmental lawyers
- Immigration lawyers
- Tax lawyers
- Intellectual property lawyers
- Family lawyers
- Securities lawyers
For some, this is an ideal major if you want to pursue a career in law-related fields for which a legal education is helpful but does not require law school. Examples include:
- Paralegal/Legal Assistant
- Human Rights Advocate
- Insurance Claims Adjuster
- Legislative Assistant/Congressional Staffer
- Human Resources/Compliance Officer
- Law Enforcement/Courts
- Political Advisor
- Real Estate
- Court Reporter
- Mediator
- Probation Officer
Request Information
Application Deadlines
Contact Us
Kim Powell
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.6850
Email Kim