Business and Technology


    Legal Studies

    MSU offers an A.S. degree in legal studies—paralegal and a B.S. degree in legal studies. Both degrees are offered online and on the main campus in Beckley. Students on the Martinsburg campus can pursue the legal studies programs through a combination of traditional, independent, hybrid, and online study.

    Find out more about MSU's online learning options.

    What can I study in legal studies at MSU?

    The legal studies program can provide you with the skills, knowledge,and practical experience necessary to launch a great legal career. You'll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and its operation; how it interrelates with business, government, and society; and how it changes. You'll also benefit from a solid grounding in business, along with coursework that develops important skills in research and writing. You'll begin taking substantive law classes from your very first semester.

    As you progress through the program, you spend an increasing amount of time doing hands-on work in legal research and writing to consolidate and apply the legal principles you've learned. You'll also benefit from unlimited access to Westlaw, one of the nation's largest electronic law libraries.

    What career opportunities can I expect in legal studies?

    An A.S. degree in the legal studies program can prepare you to work as a paraprofessional in a law firm, corporate counsel group, human resources
    office, or government agency. If you choose to continue your legal education, you'll be well on your way to completing MSU's Bachelor of Science program in legal studies.

    Many of our graduates from the bachelor's degree program go on to attend law school, although the program prepares you for a wide range of options. Some students choose to pursue a graduate degree in a related field. Others go directly to the workplace, where their training prepares them for work in law firms or government agencies. The strength of the degree's business component opens doors for opportunities in both the public and private sectors.