Legal Studies Careers

Legal studies programs introduce learners to law terms, processes, and regulations related to individual, national, and international concerns. Degree-seekers may study law topics like contract and constitutional law and explore ethics, research, and writing for the field.

Entry-level careers in legal studies include paralegal and legal assistant positions. Professionals with advanced credentials can prepare to work as lawyers, judges, and mediators. This guide explores some of these careers in depth, as well as relevant certifications, professional resources, and salary expectations for legal studies professionals.

Legal studies programs prepare students for careers where they assist other professionals with legal processes. Not only do these degrees qualify students for immediate employment, but curricula can also prepare graduates for advanced law programs, which are required for careers as lawyers and judges.

Professionals in careers with legal studies degrees should be well-organized, analytical thinkers who have strong active listening and communication skills. Individuals should also excel at research and decision-making and should be comfortable reading and writing for extended periods of time. These professionals should enjoy solving problems and helping others resolve conflicts.

Paralegals and legal assistants can find employment in a variety of industries, and their wages can be heavily influenced depending on where they work. For example, professionals in the scientific research and development services industry earn especially high average salaries of more than $97,000.

Salaries also increase with experience level, as illustrated in the following table. For instance, typical salaries for legal assistants, paralegals, and claims adjusters with 10-19 years of experience tend to be about $15,000 higher than the pay for entry-level professionals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 14% growth for paralegals and legal assistants from 2021-2031. Likewise, arbitrator, mediator, and conciliator positions are projected to expand by 6% during this time period — about equal to the average growth rate for all occupations.

Legal studies programs can both prepare students for further education and equip them with the skills needed to succeed in practice. For example, someone pursuing a bachelor’s degree in legal studies may focus on academic research and writing skills in advance of applying to law school. A student who plans to immediately seek work as an arbitrator after graduation may instead study subjects like conflict resolution and negotiation.

While directly representing clients or offering assistance to practicing attorneys, legal professionals must possess strong research skills. Paralegals often need to conduct research and analyze laws and regulations to prepare lawyers for trials. Judges and hearing officers must also engage in research to resolve disputes and issue legal decisions.

Clear and effective writing is integral to all legal studies career paths. To succeed in law school, aspiring attorneys must be able to properly structure arguments and cite academic sources. For example, arbitrators write settlement agreements, legal assistants draft memos, court reporters create detailed summaries of trials and other proceedings, and judges author opinions.

When preparing for a case or a mediation, legal professionals often conduct investigations to uncover relevant facts. To hone students’ investigatory skills, legal studies programs often feature coursework in areas like forensic analysis, evidence collection and chains of custody, and interview techniques.

Oral communication plays an important role in nearly all legal professions — especially those that require speaking on behalf of clients to judges and juries. Through case studies, class discussions, and mock trials, students in legal studies programs practice and refine their public speaking and presentation skills.

Though not all legal professionals work in a courtroom, they can benefit from developing an understanding of courtroom procedure. For instance, paralegals providing support during jury selection need to know the laws and regulations that govern the voir dire process in their state or jurisdiction.

Career paths for legal studies professionals include positions in areas like criminal law, healthcare compliance, and cybersecurity. Professionals can also pursue careers related to elder or child law. Individuals should consider their options before choosing a legal studies program to make sure they will complete coursework related to their target career.

Students may pursue a criminal law concentration in order to prepare for law school and a career as a criminal attorney. They may also choose to become paralegals or legal assistants supporting trial lawyers. Coursework in this concentration often covers subjects like criminal procedure, investigations, and corrections law.

Specializing in cybersecurity may help position learners for jobs in information security, criminal justice administration, or private investigation. Graduates may also use their expertise to mediate disputes related to privacy or data breaches at large companies. Cybersecurity students usually explore topics such as data protection and legal strategies in information security compliance.

Through coursework in investment law and broker regulations, students interested in this area develop the skills and knowledge needed to oversee financial regulation compliance for banks and other financial institutions. Learners may also examine issues related to organizational behavior and financial accounting.

Professionals working in the healthcare industry must navigate a complex web of laws, regulations, and institutional policies. This specialization requires learners to study the regulation of pharmaceutical marketing practices, laws surrounding a patient’s right to privacy, and risk management in healthcare settings.

Higher education law touches on issues related to employee hiring and termination, campus safety, compliance with federal grant regulations, and the constitutional rights of students — particularly as they relate to free speech and expression. This concentration lays the groundwork for continued study at the graduate level or work as a college or university mediator.

Your career path in legal studies will depend in large part on the type of degree you earn. For example, an associate degree in legal studies may qualify you for entry-level positions such as legal assistant, paralegal, private investigator, or court reporter.

With a bachelor’s degree, you can take on more advanced roles including arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator. Note that larger law firms may also prefer paralegals and assistants to have completed a four-year degree.

Although not always a requirement, a master’s degree may give you a competitive edge for specialized jobs in legal studies, such as compliance officer for a health insurance company or in-house arbitrator for a financial institution.

Finally, to practice law as an attorney, you need to earn a JD and receive a license from your state’s bar association. Students interested in teaching law at a college or university may instead seek a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctorate in legal studies.

While an associate degree may allow you to find entry-level work at a small firm or government agency, jobs in legal studies increasingly require a bachelor’s degree. Earning an associate degree can also serve as a convenient and relatively inexpensive first step before transferring into a four-year program.

Associate programs typically consist of 60 credits and require about two years of full-time study. They feature general education coursework and introductory instruction in legal subjects such as interviewing and investigation, administrative law for paralegals, and business and technical writing.

Many careers in legal studies, including arbitrator, mediator, and managerial paralegal roles, require a bachelor’s degree. You also need a bachelor’s degree to apply to law school, though most programs do not specifically require applicants to major in legal studies.

Undergraduate programs at four-year colleges introduce students to more advanced topics in legal studies, such as labor and employment law, white-collar crime, and intellectual property and cyberlaw. They may also require or strongly encourage students to participate in an internship to develop practical legal experience. Some programs feature a capstone or independent research project.

While earning a master’s degree in legal studies does not qualify you to practice law, it does help prepare you for specialized and senior-level positions. For example, a student wishing to take on a supervisory role in state law enforcement may benefit from completing graduate-level coursework in subjects like criminal law and procedures.

Master’s programs usually consist of 30-40 credits and require 1-2 years of full-time study. Students may also need to write a research-based thesis or draft a scholarly article on a legal topic. More practice-oriented programs may require learners to complete a field experience at a law firm or law enforcement agency.

A doctoral degree in legal studies prepares students for careers in legal research and academia. In most states, however, it does not qualify you to sit for the bar or become a practicing attorney.

Doctoral programs, such as those for a doctor of judicial science or a Ph.D. in law, typically require 4-7 years of full-time study. Doctoral candidates must complete 2-3 years of coursework, pass a comprehensive examination, conduct original research, and write a dissertation. Prior to earning their degree, candidates must defend the methodology and findings of their dissertation before a faculty committee.

The hurdle that most people associate with becoming a lawyer is passing the infamous bar exam, though lawyers also need a professional or doctoral law degree. However, there are many careers in the legal studies field that do not require professionals to pass the bar. Students who earn an associate or bachelor’s in legal studies develop a foundational understanding of legal concepts, preparing for in-demand careers or related graduate programs.

Professionals can also pursue certifications or certificates in specialization areas or connect with professional organizations to build networks and explore innovative field topics. Other advancement options include professional development experiences, workshops, and conferences. The following sections overview these options in more detail.

Some careers related to legal studies require a license. Lawyers, for instance, must pass the bar exam and earn admission into their state’s bar association. Judges also need a law license. Additionally, arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators in certain states may need a certification that focuses on specific case types.

Other certifications for legal studies careers include paralegal, legal secretary, and legal professional credentials, which are available through the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). Professionals can also pursue credentials related to their practice areas. These certifications include the certified elder law attorney credential offered by the National Elder Law Foundation and the child welfare law specialist certification offered by the National Association of Counsel for Children. While these certifications may not be required, they can help develop expertise and enhance a resume.

Some certifications and licenses may require candidates to complete continuing education (CE) experiences to qualify for renewal. These experiences help professionals stay up to date on field news, technology, and issues of practice.

To earn CE hours, professionals can complete online courses on legal topics offered by professional organizations and colleges. Other options include training, webinars, and professional development experiences relating to legal studies.

Legal professionals can look to the American Bar Association (ABA) Continuing Legal Education resource and the National Association for Law Placement for CE and professional development opportunities, such as professional development events, conferences, and online training.

Individuals can also pursue certificates and advanced degrees through colleges and universities. These credentials can reflect specialization areas, such as criminal law, taxation, and corporate compliance.

Beyond participating in CE experiences and pursuing certifications, professionals can also connect with professional organizations that offer conferences, seminars, and local meetings. Through these events, individuals can extend their networks to learn from other professionals and explore innovative field topics through lectures and presentations.

In addition to socialization opportunities, it is also important to read scholarly journals and magazines that explore legal topics and news. You can also seek out fellowship and internship experiences, which can help advance your career.

Earning a legal studies degree can lead to a wide variety of careers in the public and private sectors. For example, you may want to use your expertise to serve low-income individuals at a legal aid clinic or public defender’s office. Alternatively, you may find work at a law firm or in the legal department of a large corporation. Some legal studies graduates also choose careers in law enforcement or corrections.

Legal studies professionals can work in many industries. Some focus on local issues in cities and districts, while others assist with federal legal matters. Professionals can also focus on personal legal matters or guide large organizations — both nonprofit and corporate — on legal decisions. Each of these industries offers its own pros and cons and may require unique credentials.

Location impacts salary expectations for paralegals and legal assistants, with the District of Columbia providing the highest average pay at $83,420 in May 2021. Other high-paying states include Washington, California, and Massachusetts, where legal studies professionals make an average salary of more than $65,000 a year. On the other hand, legal studies professionals in Arkansas and Mississippi make the lowest wages, averaging under $45,000 annually.

Employment level also varies by state. For example, California, Florida, New York, and Texas each employ more than 25,000 paralegals and legal assistants, while states like Wyoming and Vermont only employ about 500 of these workers.

Resources like scholarly publications and open courseware can help professionals stay up to date with current concerns and trends in the field. Individuals can also connect with professional organizations, which may offer conferences, certifications, and training opportunities related to legal studies careers. Keep reading for more information on these resources.

National Court Reporters Association: NCRA represents more than 14,000 court reporters and captioners working in the United States. The association organizes business summits and networking events, offers six forms of professional certification, provides scholarships to aspiring legal professionals, and publishes a scholarly journal. NCRA also hosts a nationwide listing of job opportunities for court reporters.

American Arbitration Association: The AAA provides private alternative dispute resolution services. It also offers professional resources for arbitrators and mediators working independently. Members can watch webinars and take online courses on subjects like the arbitration of disputes in government contracting, best practices in franchise arbitration, and ethical considerations for mediators.

National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals: NADN serves professional mediators and arbitrators working in civil and commercial dispute resolution. In addition to hosting a member directory, the academy curates and disseminates news of interest to arbitration professionals and maintains local chapters in 42 states. It also convenes a biannual training retreat covering topics like the impact of culture on mediation and conflict de-escalation.

National Association of Certified Mediators: Since 1999, NACM has provided professional certification to mediators and conciliators who resolve family and business disputes. Individuals without prior training in mediation must complete a 40-hour online course and pass a certification exam. The course and exam cost $1,000, and the credential must be renewed every three years.

Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract – Harvard University: This course examines legal contracts, allowing students to explore steps and concerns for creating contracts and practices when breaches occur. Other topics include third-party rights and fraud.

Computer Science for Lawyers – Harvard University: This class covers computer science concepts that are relevant for legal practices, such as programming languages, cryptography, and cybersecurity. Students without prior computer science coursework can enroll in this self-paced course.

Capital Punishment: Race, Poverty, and Disadvantage – Yale University: Individuals in this class study how prejudice influences trials, convictions, and sentencing. The course also addresses the history of capital punishment.

America’s Unwritten Constitution – Yale University: This course trains students to interpret the Constitution to determine rights that are not specifically stated. Over six weeks, learners explore the historical context of constitutional rights and significant court rulings that impact them.

Does Prison Work? – The Open University: Students explore the positive and negative considerations of using prison sentences in the justice system. Specifically, the course questions whether prison actually works to rehabilitate offenders or if it simply caters to a community’s sense of safety.

The Journal of Legal Studies: The University of Chicago Law School sponsors this semiannual journal, which examines legal concepts like contract law and police behavior. The resource emphasizes social science in legal practices, such as psychology and economics.

The Yale Law Journal: This journal was established in 1891 by Yale Law School students. Articles examine topics like disability law, congressional law, and cultural property. Eight issues of this journal are published each year.

Antitrust Law Journal: Readers can access articles and essays that examine modern antitrust laws and issues through this ABA publication. The journal covers concepts like mergers, competition, and price negotiation, and it is published during the fall, spring, and winter each year. ABA also offers the Antitrust Magazine.

Harvard Law Review: This journal is published eight times a year and focuses on recent cases. The resource also includes articles on topics such as expunging convictions, as well as notes and book reviews for publications on legal ideas.

Attorney at Law Magazine:This magazine addresses domestic and international legal concerns, including overseas conditions for lawyers and power limitations for the U.S. president. The publication also addresses health and mental wellness for lawyers and explores legal marketing concepts.

@Law Magazine: Readers can access resources on professional development, technology, and ethics through this magazine. NALS publishes this resource for readers who work as paralegals, secretaries, and assistants. NALS members can access all past issues through the group’s website.

A Lawyer’s Guide to Elder Law With Forms: This book focuses on elements of elder law, like wills and powers of attorney, and includes checklists that help with memorization. The ABA Book Publishing company publishes this resource. ABA members can buy the book through the group’s website at a discount price.

A high school diploma or the equivalent may qualify you to work as a bookkeeper, secretary, or record clerk in a legal setting. However, median salaries for these positions are around $46,000. By earning a legal studies degree, you can qualify for significantly higher earnings. For instance, paralegals with the federal government earn a median annual income of nearly $70,000.

Careers for a legal studies major include paralegal positions for undergraduate degree-holders, as well as managerial-level jobs for individuals with a master’s. Some of these careers may require licenses, certifications, or training. Professionals can also work as court reporters, probation officers, and mediators, and individuals with a doctorate can teach legal studies courses at colleges and universities.

According to Payscale data from March 2023, individuals with a BA in legal studies earn an average annual salary of $70,000. Professionals with a master’s in the field also typically take home around $70,000. However, salaries can vary widely based on your experience level, industry, and location.