BS Degree in Sociology: Legal Studies Concentration
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The Legal Studies concentration focuses on society's responses to criminal behavior. To be more specific, this concentration explores the origins of law from a variety of disciplines and it looks at the criminal justice system )police, courts and corrections) as the legally appointed agencies to deal with crime and the criminal. This concentration also looks at the processes (political, social) by which the label "criminal" is applied to human behavior.
A Legal Studies graduate must, in addition to possessing a good foundation of general knowledge and oral-written communication skills, be interested in people. Most careers in this area involve face-to-face contact which makes oral communication, listening and situation evaluation important. At the same time, careers in this area often involve writing reports and keeping case notes. Therefore, written communication, accuracy and conciseness are important. Students in this concentration should have strong people skills and a clear set of ethics since they are often making life altering decisions.
These skills include the ability to write and to speak well, the ability to analyze a situation and to come up with various options, and the ability to interview people effectively. The ability to use computers would also be helpful.
Legal Studies students have entry-level career opportunities in a large number of social science, human service and criminal justice related programs. Specifically, this would include adult/juvenile probation and parole, public/private detention or confinement facilities and community based programs such as community service. In addition, this degree is good for students wanting to go into the field of law or law enforcement, as well as for students going on for a graduate degree.
Students in this concentration are well-prepared to pursue graduate education in programs directly related to the law as well as those that are not. The broad liberal arts foundation of the Sociology major, combined with the specific focus of the Legal Studies concentration provides a strong base of knowledge with which to commence graduate studies in a variety of fields. Examples of degree programs include Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice. ASU offers an M.A. in public administration (in CJ/PS). |
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