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Legal Studies

Overview Degrees/Certificates

Career opportunities in legal studies have an excellent outlook. Labor market information for the greater Sacramento region indicates that there is an undersupply of educational awards in legal studies as compared to the number of projected annual openings for positions in this professional area. A Legal Studies certificate creates opportunities in the legal profession as lawyer, judge, mediator, paralegal, consultant, educator, corporate attorney, court administrator, governmental administrator, or politician.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

A.A.-T. in Law, Public Policy, and Society
Legal Studies Certificate

Dean Dennis Lee
Department Chair Kelly Gould
Phone (916) 558-2401
Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Law, Public Policy, and Society

The Associate in Arts in Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer degree offers courses that satisfy lower-division General Education requirements in both the physical and social sciences, providing students with a solid foundation in Law, Public Policy, and Society as well as the standard prerequisites for upper-division coursework leading to the baccalaureate degree. Students planning to transfer to a CSU with a major in Law, Public Policy, and Society should consult the lower division requirements at the university they plan to attend. Through interdisciplinary studies in the administration of justice, political science, business, history, economics, sociology, global studies, and communications, students will acquire skills in critical thinking, persuasive communication, analytical writing, and a foundational understanding of the behavioral and social sciences.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):

(1) Completion of 60-semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:

(A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-Breadth).

(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.

(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
Core Classes:
A minimum of 24 units from the following:		24
ADMJ 300	Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
or ADMJ 320	Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
or ADMJ 322	Criminal Procedures (3)
or ADMJ 480	Concepts of Criminal Law - Honors (3)
or BUS 340	Business Law (3)
or BUS 345	Law and Society (3)
COMM 301	Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
or COMM 311	Argumentation and Debate (3)
or COMM 331	Group Discussion (3)
or COMM 481	Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors (3)
COMM 311	Argumentation and Debate (3)
or COMM 315	Persuasion (3)
or ENGWR 302	Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
or ENGWR 482	Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
ECON 310	Statistics for Business and Economics (3)
or PSYC 330	Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
or STAT 300	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)
or STAT 480	Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors (4)
ENGWR 300	College Composition (3)
or ENGWR 488	Honors College Composition and Research (4)
or ESLW 340	Advanced Composition (4)
HIST 310	History of the United States (To 1877) (3)
or HIST 311	History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3)
or HIST 320	History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
or HIST 321	History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
or HIST 483	History of the United States - Honors (3)
or HIST 484	History of the United States - Honors (3)
or HIST 486	History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
or HIST 487	History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
PHIL 310	Introduction to Ethics (3)
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States (3)
or POLS 481	Introduction to Government: United States - Honors (3)
Select two courses (6 units total) from two different areas listed below (courses must not have been used above):
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
Area 1: Administration of Justice
ADMJ 300	Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 302	Community Relations: Multicultural Issues (3)
ADMJ 304	Juvenile Delinquency (3)
ADMJ 320	Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
or ADMJ 480	Concepts of Criminal Law - Honors (3)
ADMJ 322	Criminal Procedures (3)
ADMJ 323	Legal Aspects of Evidence (3)
ADMJ 340	Introduction to Correctional Services (3)
ADMJ 349	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
or SOC 318	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
Area 2: Business
BUS 340	Business Law (3)
BUS 345	Law and Society (3)
Area 3: Economics
ECON 302	Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON 304	Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Area 4: Political Science
POLS 302	Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310	Introduction to International Relations (3)
or POLS 480	Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3)
POLS 320	Introduction to Political Theory (3)
Area 5: Public Policy
GLST 301	Introduction to Global Studies (3)
GLST 302	Global Issues (3)
SJS 300	Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 301	Social Problems (3)
Area 6: Diversity
ANTH 310	Cultural Anthropology (3)
or ANTH 481	Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
ETHNS 300	Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
GEOG 310	Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
or SOC 482	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
SOC 341	Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
Area 7: College Success
HCD 310	College Success (3)
INDIS 313	Freshman Seminar (3)
Total Units:		30

The Associate in Arts in Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

identify and discuss the legal framework for American institutions and systems of justice.
critically analyze issues in public policy consistent with constitutional legal standards and mandates.
demonstrate knowledge of practical applications and evaluations of policy outcomes in civic culture.
analyze, investigate, and compare ideological approaches to governmental systems.
research specific topics of discussion in local, state, national, and international politics.
identify and demonstrate effective and appropriate written and oral communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal, in a variety of communication contexts and with diverse populations.

Career Information

Career opportunities with a bachelor's degree include professions in law, government, public relations, lobbying, diplomacy, advocacy, public safety services, intelligence analysts, criminal investigations, court service careers, social work, and correctional services.

Certificate of Achievement

Legal Studies Certificate

The legal studies certificate is designed to enhance opportunities for employment in the legal profession.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
BUS 345	Law and Society (3)	3
or SOC 318	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
or ADMJ 349	Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
or BUS 340	Business Law (3)
COMM 303	Mediated Oral Communication (3)	3
or COMM 311	Argumentation and Debate (3)
ENGWR 300	College Composition (3)	3 - 4
or ENGWR 488	Honors College Composition and Research (4)
or ESLW 340	Advanced Composition (4)
ENGWR 301	College Composition and Literature (3)	3 - 4
or ENGWR 302	Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
or ENGWR 303	Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature (4)
or ENGWR 482	Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
HIST 310	History of the United States (To 1877) (3)	3
or HIST 311	History of the United States (1865 - Present) (3)
or HIST 320	History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
or HIST 321	History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
or HIST 483	History of the United States - Honors (3)
or HIST 484	History of the United States - Honors (3)
or HIST 486	History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
or HIST 487	History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States (3)	3
or POLS 481	Introduction to Government: United States - Honors (3)
STAT 300	Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4)	3 - 4
or STAT 480	Introduction to Probability and Statistics - Honors (4)
or ECON 310	Statistics for Business and Economics (3)
or PSYC 330	Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
Total Units:		21 - 24

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

effectively communicate in both oral and written formats.
identify career opportunities in the legal profession.
analyze crime causation, recognize the elements within statues and be familiar with procedures utilities to enforce those statutes.
evaluate the complex legal aspects of criminal investigations, law procedures, constitutional law, and case law.
identify and explain the purpose and authority of the local, state, and federal courts systems.
define and use legal terminology accurately and appropriately.

Career Information

Career opportunities in legal studies have an excellent outlook. Labor Market Information for the greater Sacramento region indicates that there is an undersupply of educational awards in legal studies as compared to the number of projected annual openings for positions in this professional area. This certificate creates opportunities in the legal profession as lawyer, judge, mediator, paralegal, consultant, educator, corporate attorney, court administrator, governmental administrator, or politician.