There’s an assumption that a legal studies degree is only necessary if you want to become a lawyer. On the contrary, there’s so much more that you can do with a legal studies degree. While studying to become a lawyer will require furthering your education beyond a baccalaureate, there are plenty of occupations that you can pursue with a pre-law degree.
What Can You Do With a Legal Studies Degree?
Students who graduate with their bachelor’s degree may not go to law school right away. Many graduates have gone on to find rewarding careers in professions that are closely related to their field of study.
For example, there are a variety of jobs to choose from in government organizations through legal studies, which you are qualified for with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. There is great upward mobility in these careers. A Legal Studies Degree can be a great stepping stone for high-level government positions if you plan on pursuing a master’s or doctoral law degree in the future.
The administrative team here at Florida National University (FNU) wants to inform you about some of these options, as we feel that our Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies is a great alternative for aspiring college students who are looking for a profession that’s geared more toward applying their soft skills with a type of occupation that’s not as technical as a science degree.
Is a bachelor’s in legal studies the most valuable undergraduate program before law school? This is the question most students ask as they chart their college education through to law school, which in America is typically preceded by an undergraduate degree. While the debate continues about what might be the most valuable undergraduate program, most students are still searching for an answer that will give them a head start on their legal career while they are still in college.
The purpose of the Legal Studies Degree (LS) Bachelor of Arts Program is to expand students’ critical and analytical thinking skills and advance students’ ability to communicate complex data, both verbally and in writing. This training, together with your aptitude for workplace soft skills, would make these jobs a great fit.
6 High-Demand Jobs You Can Get With a Legal Studies Degree
1. Paralegal: A Common Path for Legal Studies Majors
Working as a paralegal is one of the most popular career paths for legal studies graduates. This role allows you to work closely with practicing attorneys without committing to the additional years of law school. Paralegals assist lawyers by drafting legal documents, conducting research, organizing files, and performing a variety of administrative tasks.
With a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, you’ll be prepared to support attorneys in law firms, government agencies, private practices, or corporate legal departments. The role also provides excellent preparation for law school if you plan to continue your education later.
Paralegals rely heavily on the skills developed in a legal studies program, including legal research, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication. For example, they use tools like LexisNexis to research case law and precedents, proofread legal documents, and explain issues clearly to clients.
Professional organizations such as the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, the Paralegal Association of Florida, and the Florida Alliance of Paralegal Associations provide networking opportunities and resources to help paralegals advance in their careers.
2. Law Enforcement Careers With a Legal Studies Degree
A legal studies degree can also prepare you for a career in law enforcement. While many people think of police officers only in terms of responding to emergencies, the role requires a strong understanding of the law. Officers must know how to uphold and enforce laws, issue citations, investigate crimes, and prepare detailed reports.
Through a legal studies program, students develop persuasive communication and critical thinking skills that are essential for law enforcement. These skills help officers educate the public, explain legal issues, and encourage cooperation with the law.
Law enforcement is a diverse field with opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels. Whether you are interested in becoming a police officer, detective, or federal agent, a legal studies degree provides a solid foundation for understanding and applying the law in real-world situations.
3. Get into Real Estate. Become an Agent!
Not every profession related to the law involves cops, robbers, and lawyers. The real estate profession requires a certain level of knowledge about local laws. The buying and selling of property involve numerous documents that must be filed with the city. The city must keep track of who owns what, especially when it comes to land. In some states, an attorney handles these matters. In others, real estate agents handle all the paperwork and filings. Both commercial and residential real estate agents draft contracts for leases and purchases that must be legally accurate.
Just as pre-law students, they have to read and interpret legal statutes and documents. Real estate agents also need strong verbal communication skills to explain legal issues to clients. Through persuasive discourse, agents negotiate with other agents and customers about the viability of proposals. Of course, drafting specifics on an agreement also requires attention to detail.
There are also real estate agencies that house both a practicing attorney and a real estate agent. At any rate, with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, pursuing a career as a real estate agent will put you one step toward realizing your professional goal.
4. Law Librarian Careers for Legal Studies Graduates
The role of a law librarian has evolved with technology, but its core responsibility remains the same: organizing and providing access to critical legal resources. Law librarians manage collections of legal publications, maintain budgets, and serve as information specialists for attorneys, professors, and students.
With today’s digital tools, law librarians also work with cloud-based databases and research platforms, ensuring that legal information is secure, searchable, and up-to-date. They may research legislative history, case law, business intelligence, or regulatory issues to support attorneys and scholars.
Graduates with a degree in legal studies bring strong research, organizational, and analytical skills to this profession. Law librarians can be employed in universities, law schools, government agencies, and private law firms.
5. Social Worker Careers With a Legal Studies Degree
A career in social work focuses on helping individuals and communities through advocacy, counseling, and support services. While many social workers hold degrees in psychology or social work, a legal studies background can also be a strong asset — especially in government agencies and community programs where clients often face legal challenges.
Legal studies graduates bring valuable skills to this field, including knowledge of laws, policies, and procedures that impact vulnerable populations. This expertise is especially useful in areas such as child welfare, domestic abuse cases, and mental health services, where social workers often collaborate with law enforcement and legal professionals.
Opportunities in social work range from child and family services to healthcare, schools, and substance abuse programs. With a degree in legal studies, you can contribute to these important efforts by helping individuals navigate legal issues while providing social support.
6. Probation Officer Careers
Just as social workers and law enforcement work in tandem, the role of a probation officer also works in conjunction with the social worker. Although the probation officers’ area of expertise is to evaluate people who have been incarcerated, they also follow up to test for drugs and substances that might violate their probation. The probation officer can be looked at as a personal law enforcement officer who also shares some of the responsibilities of a social worker, ensuring the most effective course of rehabilitation.
Probation officers work in legal correctional departments that collaborate with local and state courts. Probation officers are responsible for performing administrative and counseling duties to properly assist defendants who have been sentenced to probation by the court. They can also assist the courts by monitoring and investigating offenders for any ongoing criminal activity.
A degree in legal studies isn’t specifically required, but most government departments require parole officers to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a field related to law or social work.
Other Jobs You Can Pursue in Legal Studies
Law Firm Careers
Several entry-level roles in private law firms are available to those with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, such as legal assistants and legal administrator positions. As of May 2024, the median annual wage for paralegals and legal assistants was $61,010 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
While many law firms accept candidates with an associate degree, holding a bachelor’s can give you a competitive edge in hiring and advancement.
Government Careers
In certain states, a degree in legal studies can serve as a stepping stone toward roles such as administrative law judge, hearing officer, or magistrate judge. As of May 2024, administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers had a median wage of $115,230 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Keep in mind that many of these positions require additional legal credentials, licensure, or prior experience, depending on your state’s regulations.
Corporation Careers
A degree in legal studies also opens doors in the corporate world. Roles such as human resources assistant, analyst, consultant, or legal administrator are good matches. Additionally, teaching or advocacy positions in nonprofits may utilize your legal education.
For context, in May 2023, the median annual wage for social and human service assistants, a related supportive role, was $45,120 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Learn More About FNU’s Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
The Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies offers students numerous career opportunities. With this degree, graduates will acquire an advanced skill set in critical and analytical thinking, enabling them to effectively communicate complex data within the legal field across both private and public sectors.
If a student chooses to pursue a legal studies program at the bachelor’s level, it is crucial to find one that aligns with the needs of law school; that is, a program that requires extensive reading, writing, and critical thinking, as well as research opportunities. Because there is no set standard for legal studies as a major, students are encouraged to research to ensure that the FNU program will prepare them for graduate study.
FNU also offers an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies. This two-year degree program has been designed for students seeking a career in law, with courses that survey the American legal system. Additionally, courses are offered in communication, humanities, behavioral science, mathematics, natural science, and computer science. Upon graduating, students can pursue upper-level studies or commence a career within the legal profession pending successful completion of a criminal background check and character fitness (including credit-worthiness).
Both degrees can be completed 100% online.
To start your career as a college student in legal studies, contact an FNU advisor to discuss financial aid options today!
