/academics/programs/_images/adobestock_1667663686.jpegPhoto of two people in suits with legal documents and a Lady Justice statuette in the forgroundLegal Studies CertificateUndergraduate CertificateExpand your understanding of law and get ready for your next steps.The Legal Studies Certificate is designed to give students a foundation in the skills and concepts that law students and lawyers need. It is not a professional certification to work as a paralegal, but was created for students interested in attending law school.College of Liberal Arts & Social SciencesOffice of Pre-Law Advisinghttps://class.unt.edu/advising/pre-lawBusiness & Industry,Public ServiceUndergraduateCertificateOn CampusDentonUndergraduate Certificate2-3 semesters15https://catalog.unt.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=37&poid=18866&returnto=4292https://admissions.unt.edu/Why Earn a Legal Studies Certificate?

A legal studies certificate may be earned by students who have completed a concentration of academic work designed to prepare them for admission to and success in law school, regardless of major or minor at UNT.

The Department of Political Science will award the certificate to students who have completed 15 hours of approved course work and maintained a 3.25 in the courses taken for the certificate as well as a 3.0 cumulative UNT GPA.

Classes that count toward the student’s major, minor or core requirements may also count toward this certificate. In keeping with university policy, all course work for the certificate must be completed at UNT.

You'll take courses in the following five areas:

  • Foundations
  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Critical Thinking
  • Oral and Written Advocacy
  • Applied Legal Studies

Please note that this is an on-campus program. While some courses in the areas listed below may be offered online, students should plan their schedules with the expectation that all five areas will be completed in person. Substitutions will not be approved based on whether a course is offered online or in person.Available to all majors.Flexible enough for students from any major or college on campus.Allows students to flourish in their education.Interdisciplinary certificate designed to provide the skills and experiences pre-law students need.Provides substantial overlap with majors in political science, philosophy, communication studies, business, and criminal justice.Argumentation and Debate (3 hrs)Theory, research and practice in developing and presenting arguments on public policy issues; reasoning, strategy and oral advocacy.Writing, Advocacy, and Communication (3 hrs)Students hone communication skills by creating written and oral projects related to careers in government affairs. Examples of topics include writing grants, white papers, model legislation, and legal briefs.The Constitution and the Rights of Criminal Defendants (3 hrs)An in-depth examination of the constitutional rights and liberties enjoyed by defendants in the criminal justice process. Explores the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of constitutional guarantees as that interpretation has developed through the evolution of case law in a political and historical context.Jurisprudence (3 hrs)Law in the modern state, meaning and objects, sources and growth, and conceptions of rights and justice.The American Legal System (3 hrs)Institutions and processes; courts and judicial behavior.FSVKGbPpc3M
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College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Political Science Minor (link to Minor program page)

Global Perspectives Certificate (link to Cert. program page)

Similar Majors (link to corresponding subject page)

 

Office of Pre-Law Advising

940-565-2276

Wendy.Watson@unt.edu

Wooten Hall, Room 153

Related Programs

Legal Studies Minor
Political Science Degree
Political Science Minor

Similar Areas of Study(940) 565-2276politicalscience@unt.edu
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