JUSTICE STUDIES (Legal Studies)
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| Internship Opportunities |
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State Police Fire Marshal's Office |
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Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office |
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Newton District Court |
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Massachusetts State Police Fugitive Unit |
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Newton Police Department Detective Bureau |
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John Hancock Financial Investigative Unit |
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Department of Social Services |
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Department of Youth Services |
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| Find and email your Admissions Counselor or apply online today. |
The Justice Studies department offers courses in Criminal Justice, Legal
Studies, and Political Science. There are majors in Criminal Justice and Legal
Studies, a minor in Political Science, and two minors offered in conjunction with
the Social Sciences department – Forensic Studies, and Youth and Crime. The
department takes a liberal arts approach to each discipline, strongly incorporating
the connected learning philosophy of the College. Each major culminates in the
senior year with a capstone course and an internship requirement. Students complete
internships in courts, police agencies, corrections, law firms, governmental
agencies, and youth service organizations. The program in each major prepares
each student to succeed in a career in criminal justice or legal studies, or to go on
to a graduate or law school.
LEGAL STUDIES
The Legal Studies major provides an excellent background for students interested
in pursuing professional careers within the legal system. It also offers an
introduction to the study of law for students interested in entering law school.
All students gain valuable work experience and references through participation
in an at least one four-credit internship. Internship sites may include the court system,
law offices, government, and non-profit agencies. These connected-learning
experiences provide invaluable opportunities to explore various aspects of the legal
profession and provide students with valuable contacts in the field. Legal Studies
students also participate in a series of on-campus “mock trials.”
A capstone Senior Seminar helps students to draw upon previous coursework
in conducting research and inquiry within a special area of interest. Many Legal
Studies graduates pursue graduate or law school degrees. Graduates receive a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies.
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Major Requirements |
(34 credits) |
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LS 101 |
Introduction to the American Legal System |
3 |
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LS 202 |
Legal Research and Analysis |
3 |
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LS 203 |
Constitutional Law |
3 |
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LS 301 |
Legal Writing and Reasoning |
3 |
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LS 325 |
Evidence |
3 |
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LS 402 |
Selected Topics in Justice and Law |
3 |
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LS 401/CJ 401 |
Justice Studies Internship and Seminar |
4 |
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Choose four additional Justice Studies (CJ or LS) courses |
12 |
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Additional Requirements |
(15 credits) |
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SOC 101 |
Introduction to Sociology AI(PS) |
3 |
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POLS 101 |
American Government |
3 |
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POLS 201 |
State and Local Government |
3 |
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POLS 210 |
Political Theory |
3 |
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Choose one of the following five: |
3 |
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POLS 202 |
Issues in Contemporary Political Thought |
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SOC 221 |
Contemporary Social Problems |
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SOC 301 |
Race and Ethnic Relations |
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SOC 335 |
Social Policy |
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PSYC 316 |
Psychology of Race Relations |
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General Education Core Requirements and remaining Unrestricted
Electives* |
(71 credits) |
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Minimum credits required for graduation |
120 |
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*Courses marked with an AI code fulfill Area of Inquiry requirements in the General Education
Core. See all the General Education Core requirements as well as the key for Area of
Inquiry (AI) codes. |
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