Legal Studies Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact
William Prigge, Department Head
Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion
West Hall Room 109
E-mail: will.prigge@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/hist
Click here for additional information.  

Program Information
The purpose of the Legal Studies minor is to provide the student with foundational skills meant to better their performance on the LSAT and in law school.  The curriculum is based off of the standards set forth by the American Bar Association.  The major is open to the student.  Law schools encourage a wide variety of backgrounds.  The formal academic training for law includes, with few exceptions, a bachelor’s degree and three years of study in law school to earn a Juris Doctorate.  

Law School Admissions Test
All law schools require the Law School Admissions Test, and most pre-law students take it in June between the junior and senior year or during the undergraduate senior year. It is a nationwide, half-day test of general aptitude for undertaking law studies and for writing ability. Students are encouraged to contact the Legal Studies advisor for more information on the LSAT and law schools of interest early in their academic career.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a minor in Legal Studies will be able to:

• demonstrate a basic familiarity with the American political and legal systems, especially the constitution.
• demonstrate proficiency in clear and persuasive speech and writing.
• understand the formal study of argumentation, including forms of logic, inductive and deductive reasoning, proofs, refutations and fallacies.  Be able to think and read critically.
• demonstrate financial literacy, either basic economic concepts or basic accounting principles and procedures.
• demonstrate a familiarity with the law as it relates to one’s field of interest.
• demonstrate an understanding of social and ethical issues as well as the promotion of justice.

Course Delivery Format
The program offers courses on campus.