Legal Studies
As a legal studies major at Bay Path you have three options to choose from: a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, or an Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies. All three programs are approved by the American Bar Association, and upon completion of one of these programs you will receive a Certificate of Advanced Paralegal Studies.*
The legal studies program is designed to give you a greater understanding of the legal process, institutions, and ideas that are the foundation of our society. The challenging and rigorous curriculum combines theory and application in order to prepare you for a wide range of career options. One of the core strengths of the program is that you will find that many of the faculty are judges and active practitioners of the law bringing a new a practical and relevant perspective into classroom discussion.
What makes Bay Path a leader in the field of legal studies?
All the legal programs offered by the department are approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). ABA approval is an endorsement of the high quality of the curriculum and standards of legal education that Bay Path's department of legal studies adheres to…and this enhances your employment opportunities.
The program in legal studies combines a broad liberal arts knowledge base with a solid foundation of legal theory and practical application that incorporates critical thinking, communications, ethics, and interpersonal skills. The goals of the program are to:
- Educate you in the theory and philosophy of law and the principles of ethics that are part of the legal field
- Build your research and investigative skills, including on-line research knowledge
- Develop a strong skill set in computer and technology use
- Instill a code of behavior and appreciation of the standards of the profession
Learning by Discussing With the Harkness Table
You won’t find desks lined in neat rows to face the front of Room 209 in the newly renovated Carr Hall. What you will find is the Harkness Table: a specially-designed large, oval table surrounded by 16 chairs and named after philanthropist Edward Harkness. For John Woodruff, assistant professor of law, the Harkness table melds with his philosophy of discussion-based teaching. “The table has a physical presence that encourages students to become their own and each others’ teachers,” states Professor Woodruff. In Room 209 students find their voice by developing viewpoints and legal arguments—important first steps in understanding the legal profession.
*A Legal Studies graduate may work as a paralegal only under the supervision of an attorney and is not authorized to engage in the practice of law.
