Undergraduate Course Catalog

Legal Studies

Ball State offers a legal studies major for bachelor’s degree students. The legal studies major is a paralegal education program approved by the American Bar Association. Paralegals, as members of the legal services team, work under the supervision of a lawyer. A paralegal may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. The program provides a strong foundation in law-related courses for students who plan to work in the courts, the legislature, or in legal departments of government and business. Students must complete an internship in a professional legal setting. In addition to other university requirements, transfer students must complete at least four of their legal specialty classes of three credits each at Ball State as approved by the program director. 
    For more information, call the Department of Political Science at 765-285-8780.

MAJOR IN LEGAL STUDIES, 69 hours

This major prepares students for careers as legal assistants or paralegals. It also provides a strong foundation in law-related courses for students who plan to work in the courts, the legislature or in legal departments of government and business.

PREFIX  NO  SHORT TITLE 

CR HRS

Interdisciplinary major requirements 
Common core, 36 hours

BL
POLS

367
130
141
229
241
242
243
344
342
or
431
369
or
479
445
457

Estate Plan
Amer Nat Gov
Intro Parleg
IT Paralegal
Family Law
Lgl Res Writ
Litigation
Adv Lgl Res
Publc Policy (3)

Legislation (3)
Prof Exp (3)

Pract Exp (3)
Adv Litiga
Alt Dis Res

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3


3


3
3
3

36 hrs
Complete one option
Option 1: Public Law, 33 hours

ACC
BL
RE
RMI 

201
260
230
270

Prin Acct 1
Prin Bus Law
Real Estate
Prin R M I 

3
3
3
 3 

15 hours from

CJC

ECON
JOURN
POLS










RE

350
351
332
275
237
238
340
347
408
435
443
444
455
474
490
332

Crimnl Evdnc (3)
Criminal Law (3)
Labr Rel Law (3)
Med Law Ethc (3)
Stat Loc Pol (3)
Urban Gov US (3)
Law Enforcmt (3)
Env Law Poly (3)
Topcs Lgl St (3)
Intgov Rel (3)
Am Const Law (3)
Const Libert (3)
Administ Law (3)
Women Poltcs (3)
Internatl Law (3)
Legal Asp RE (3)

15

6 hours from

ACC
BL

CJC




COMM




FIN
MGT
MKG
POLS

RE

RMI
SOC

202
362
363
101
102
230
250
341
220
320
325
340
385
110
200
200
140
433
331
332
473
425
431

Prin Acct 2 (3)
Lw Bus Assoc (3)
Uni Code Law (3)
Crim Jus Sys (3)
Intro Crim (3)
Intro Policg (3)
Intro Courts (3)
Comm Correct (3)
Argmt Debate (3)
Persuasion (3)
Interviewing (3)
Ldrshp Comm (3)
Rhet Pub Adv (3)
Pers Finance (3)
Mngnt Prin (3)
Fundamentals (3)
Int Lgl Syst (3)
Am Judic Sys (3)
R E Finance (3)
Legal Asp RE (3)
Ins Law (3)
Law (3)
Aging (3)

6

69 hrs
Option 2: Business, 33 hours
Students interested in pursuing this
option must complete the following
courses before registering for
300- and 400-level business courses.

ACC

BL
ECON


ISOM

201
202
260
201
202
221
135

Prin Acct 1
Prin Acct 2
Prin Bus Law
Elem Micro
Elem Macro
Bus Stats
Bus I S

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

12 hours from

BL
CJC






COMM



ECON

FIN
HSC
POLS










RE


RMI

SOC

362
101
102
230
250
341
350
351
220
320
325
340
302
332
110
469
140
340
347
408
433
435
443
444
455
474
490
230
331
332
270
473
425
431

Lw Bus Assoc (3)
Crim Jus Sys (3)
Intro Crim (3)
Intro Policg (3)
Intro Courts (3)
Comm Correct (3)
Crimnl Evdnc (3)
Criminal Law (3)
Argmt Debate (3)
Persuasion (3)
Interviewing (3)
Ldrshp Comm (3)
Intrmd Macro (3)
Labr Rel Law (3)
Pers Finance (3)
Health Aging (3)
Int Lgl Syst (3)
Law Enforcmt (3)
Env Law Poly (3)
Topcs Lgl St (3)
Am Judic Sys (3)
Intgov Rel (3)
Am Const Law (3)
Const Libert (3)
Administ Law (3)
Women Poltcs (3)
Intrnatl Law (3)
Real Estate (3)
R E Finance (3)
Legal Asp RE (3)
Prin R M I (3)
Ins Law (3)
Law (3)
Aging (3)

12

69 hrs

The prerequisite for ISOM 135, ECON 221, and POLS 229 is demonstrated proficiency in computer skills. Proficiency may be demonstrated by examination or credit in ISOM 125, CS 104 or the equivalent. ECON 221 requires sophomore standing and MATHS 111 as the prerequisite.