Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

Curriculum

Today's job market requires graduates to be more than just experts in their fields.  They need to be able to apply and adapt a wide array of skills and experiences to fit the changing needs of the market.  To make sure our students have the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a competitive job market, our legal studies curriculum has four main components.

Major Courses: Focus and Depth

These courses provide an opportunity to understand the legal field in greater depth.  In short, these are the "nuts and bolts" courses you'll need to land a job in the area of legal studies.

General Education Core

As a career-oriented university with a strong tradition in the liberal arts, Post University is committed to providing you with a firm foundation in the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. The general education core at Post University provides you with the ability to make connections across disciplines so you're better prepared to respond to a diverse and constantly changing global marketplace.

The ability to choose those courses that pique your interest is an important feature of the Post General Education Core.  Take a look below at the many options available to you.

Leadership Course

At Post, we are committed to preparing students to be successful in their careers and stand out among their peers. A critical element of this learning process is a leadership course that includes an interdisciplinary perspective on foundations underlying all organizations. These include management, leadership, domestic and international economics, ethics, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, marketing, e-commerce, information technology, human resource management, accounting, investments, money and personal finances. The skills learned are essential for success in any career, whether in a for-profit or non-profit business, or government organization. The ability to apply the principles learned in this course will help set Post University students apart as leaders in their fields.

Career and Self-Awareness Core

To be successful in life, people need to understand who they are and what they want to achieve.  Our career program offers seminar classes designed to help students enhance self-awareness, build confidence and develop a strong sense of direction.

This collection of short courses offered during your academic studies is intended to provide you with the experiences to become a self-aware, lifelong learner.  These courses include personal assessment tools with detailed diagnostic feedback including specific career information, computer simulations, self-study exercises as well as in-class discussion and discovery.  All of these activities are supported in the classroom and online through interactive exercises, using a new individualized, career-based resource program available only at Post University.


Internship and Cooperative Education Opportunities

At Post, students can take advantage of a robust internship program and co-op opportunities where they have opportunities to participate in real-life work situations related to their field of study before they graduate. 

Our program can give Post students a real edge over their competition. Not only do they get a chance to put their classroom learning to the test, but they also get opportunities to meet prospective employers, network with people in their field, test-drive their intended career, and build their resumes with concrete examples of how they've made the connection between theory and practice.


B.S. in Legal Studies Curriculum

General Education 60 crs   Leadership Course 3 crs
Common Core 12 crs   LCS105 Elements of Organizations

LCS105

Elements of Organization - 3 Credits

Students need a basic understanding of how organizations work in order to manage their personal and professional lives. This course provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the foundations underlying all organizations (businesses, non-profit and governmental organizations) specifically as they relate to the nature of: management and leadership, economics both domestically and internationally, ethics, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, human resource management, marketing/advertising, e-commerce, information technology, accounting, investments, money and personal finances.

3 crs
ENG110 College Writing

ENG110

College Writing - 3 Credits

This course is designed to develop and refine the analytical/critical reading skills and the substantive writing skills of freshmen.  This intensive writing class will focus on writing essays of varying length and expose students to the various rhetorical modes of writing that will contribute to their success in university courses and their chosen careers.

3 crs      
ENG120 College Writing II

ENG120

College Writing II - 3 Credits

College Writing II looks to expand upon the writing skills attained in ENG110. As a student-centered course, students explore their own writing in peer, group, and self-review skill sessions. Students enhance self-editing skills and increase awareness of the revision skills needed in both college coursework and in careers. The course will further develop students' understanding of the writing process from pre-writing to final draft. This course encourages students to have their writing evaluated across the curriculum. The course culminates in a research essay and portfolio of original work.

Pre-requisite: ENG110.


    Prerequisite: ENG110
3 crs   Major, Core and Concentrations 60 crs
COM107 Intro to Communications

COM107

Intro to Communications - 3 credits

This introductory course will focus on the knowledge and skills that students need to become competent communicators.  This information and these skills will include speaking, listening, media literacy, computer-mediated communication, cultural sensitivity, workplace communication, group dynamics, and critical thinking.  Students will prepare and present speeches and group projects that utilize media and technology.  Emphasis will be place on personal, social and workplace interaction both individually and in group settings.

3 crs   Designated Writing Course 3 crs
CIS112 Introduction to Computing

CIS112

Introduction to Computing - 3 Credits

This course strives to meet the high level of computer literacy required of all students earning a degree from the university. Special emphasis is placed on the ethical use of computer technology for information analysis and communications. Computer units introduce the Internet, Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Students who feel they have attained computer literacy and earn 70 percent on an exemption exam may substitute any other 3-credit course for this core requirement. 

Students may prove competency by passing a waiver examination.  No credit is granted if the requirement is waived.


    Students may prove competency by passing a waiver examination. No credit is granted if the requirement is waived.
3 crs   LAW425 Legal Writing

LAW425

Legal Writing - 3 Credits

Students learn the techniques of legal writing as it pertains to the role of the legal assistant. Specific writing assignments include the case brief, motions, pleadings, discovery documents and written instruments. The course culminates in a Memorandum of Law and therefore attention is given to advanced legal research.

Prerequisites: LAW203, 205.


    Prerequisites: LAW203, 205
3 crs
         
Liberal Arts 24 crs   Major Core 39 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW101 Introduction to Law

LAW101

Introduction to Law - 3 Credits

Students are introduced to the system of legal thought and practice. The course examines legal methods and terminology while providing an orientation to state and federal laws and court systems. Internet resources and instructional technology are part of all topics, including a survey of subject specific areas in the law.

3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW105 Estate Admin. & Probate Practice

LAW105

Estate Administration and Probate Practice - 3 Credits

Students learn the role that wills, trusts and powers of attorney play in the management of personal assets.

Further, students become thoroughly familiar with the procedures employed to open, manage, and close Decedents' Estates, Conservatorship, Guardianships, Small Estates, and Refusal of Letters.

Prerequisite: LAW101; ACC111 strongly recommended.


    Prerequisite: LAW101; AC111 strongly recommended
3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW201 Real Estate Law & Practice

LAW201

Real Estate Law and Practice - 3 Credits

Students learn how to handle a real estate transaction from the drafting of the sales contract to the closing. Subjects covered include Notes, Mortgages and Deeds of Trust, Titles and Title Insurance, Recording Liens, Encumbrances, Foreclosures, and Easements.

Prerequisite: LAW101.


    Prerequisite: LAW101
3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW203 Civil Litigation Practice

LAW203

Civil Litigation Practice - 3 Credits

Students are introduced to all aspects of a civil lawsuit, including Jurisdiction, Rules of Procedure, Pleadings, Motions, Discovery, Trial Procedures, and the Appellate Process.

Prerequisite: LAW101.


    Prerequisite: LAW101
3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW205 Legal Research

LAW205

Legal Research - 3 Credits

Students become familiar with legal resource materials and how they are researched. Publications discussed include those that report Constitutional Law, Statutory Law, Case Law, Administrative Regulations, and Municipal Law.

Further, students are introduced to the American Digest System, Shepard's and Computer-Assisted Legal Research.

Research assignments introduce students to the legal research process.

Prerequisite: LAW101.


    Prerequisite: LAW101
3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW209 Family Law & Practice

LAW209

Family Law and Practice - 3 Credits

Students become familiar with such family law matters as annulment, legal separation, marriage and dissolution of marriage. Further, students are introduced to the general litigation process that resolves disputes, including post-judgment matters. Other family matters such as adoption, guardianship, domestic violence, actions for custody, and rights to property and support are covered.

Prerequisite: LAW101.


    Prerequisite: LAW101
3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW301 Bankruptcy Law & Practice

LAW301

Bankruptcy Law & Practice - 3 Credits

Students become familiar with the Bankruptcy Code, as amended; the general functions of the Bankruptcy Court; and the power of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. Students are introduced to Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 proceedings and rules.

Prerequisite: LAW101; LAW203 is recommended.


    Prerequisite: LAW101; LAW203 is recommended
3 crs
Elective 3 crs   LAW306 E-Commerce: The Legal Context

LAW306

E-Commerce: The Legal Context - 3 Credits

This is a trailblazing course on e-commerce and the legal issues this activity has created. Among the topics covered are an overview of e-commerce; jurisdiction; copyrights; trademarks; privacy; obscenity; defamation; online contracts; and Internet taxation.

3 crs
      LAW307 Business Organizations & Practice

LAW307

Business Organizations and Practice - 3 Credits

Students are introduced to the substantive law of business entities including sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, and corporations. Subjects covered include the application of substantive law to incorporation procedure, partnership agreements, general corporation maintenance, corporate capitalization, financing and corporate changes such as mergers, amendments, dissolutions.

Prerequisite: BUS204 is strongly recommended.


    Prerequisite: BUS204 is strongly recommended
3 crs
Math 6 crs   LAW310 Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law

LAW310

Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law - 3 Credits

This is an introductory course on the law of Intellectual Property. Among the topics covered are freedom of speech on the Web, ISP responsibilities, infringement, trademark issues on the Web, privacy and the Internet, copyright piracy and international trade issues, and new developments in trade secret law.

3 crs
MAT105 Quantitative Methods

MAT105

Quantitative Methods (course intended for non-business majors) - 3 Credits

This course surveys topics in elementary algebra, personal finance, probability, and statistics and is integrated with an online homework and tutorial program designed to assist students in achieving their goals of high level performance in and out of the classroom. Topics include solving algebraic equations, solving ratio and proportion problems, applications involving percentage and interest, applying the definition of probability, measures of central tendency, descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, graphical representation of data, and applications of the normal distribution. Topics focus on real-life situations, decision making skills, and problem solving. Some working knowledge of elementary algebra is expected. Course requires subscription to a supplementary online program. Scientific or graphing calculator strongly recommended.

3 crs   LAW325 E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business

LAW325

E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business - 3 Credits

This is a web-supported course that examines the developing concept of e-government. Students become familiar with the methods used by state and federal government to regulate business by means of government websites. Assessment is based on a student generated portfolio.

Cross listed with BUS325.


    Cross listed with BUS325
3 crs
MAT220 Statistics I

MAT220

Statistics - 3 Credits

This course offers students an opportunity to experience statistics as it would occur in various settings. This course is integrated with a state of the art online program designed to assist students in achieving their goals of high level performance in and out of the classroom. Topics are presented through real life case studies and include an overview of the fundamentals of statistics, collective and descriptive statistic techniques, data collection and sampling, the normal distribution and probability, hypothesis testing, population inferences, simple linear regression, and correlation. An understanding of basic algebra is required. Course requires subscription to a supplementary online program. Scientific or graphing calculator and access to a spreadsheet program is recommended.

3 crs   LAW405 Environmental Law & Practice

LAW405

Environmental Law and Practice - 3 Credits

Students learn the relevant federal and state environmental laws together with their practical application to corporate and real estate transactions. Specific areas of study include environmental due diligence. This course covers the specific area in which individuals and business entities encounter environmental law.

Cross listed with ENV405. Prerequisite: BUS204 or ENV121.


    Cross listed with ENV405 Prerequisite: BUS204 or ENV121
3 crs
      LAW440 Legal Ethics

LAW440

Legal Ethics - 3 Credits

This course is a comprehensive in-depth, hands-on study of the specific and particular ethical issues faced by the legal professional as guided by the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. It is designed for both the business professional who may interact with legal professionals and for the prospective legal professional, with emphasis on the practice requirements which guide the latter. The objective is to provide a foundation and a guide for dealing with ethical dilemmas in the practice of law.

3 crs
Science 3 crs      
Elective 3 crs   Directed Electives 9 crs
      300/400 Level Elective 3 crs
Unrestricted Electives 15 crs   300/400 Level Elective 3 crs
Elective 3 crs   Legal Studies Internship Recommended* 3 crs
Elective 3 crs      
Elective 3 crs   Career and Self-Awareness 6 crs
Elective 3 crs   CSA101 Exploring Self: Inside Out

CSA101

Exploring Self: Inside Out - 3 credits

This course will focus on self-discovery and interaction with others to provide learners with the foundation for examining and further developing their own personal effectiveness. An environment of trust will be built within the class to enable individual and collective openness, discovery, and engagement in personal learning. The course will use experiential learning, personal reflection, and group interaction as primary approaches. This is a hybrid course, with classroom interaction time blended with online learning and interaction through the Blackboard learning management system.

3 crs
Elective 3 crs   CSA260 Professional Success Seminar

CSA260

Professional Success Seminar - 1 credits

This course will enable students to develop their own individualized plans for personal, academic, and career success. Students will engage in self-evaluation exercises and highly interactive classroom activities to evaluate their own “fit” for certain careers. Students will also participate in resume and cover letter writing activities to prepare for the experiential learning of the next course. Students will establish short-term career goals and begin a career portfolio to be refined during successive semesters.

1 cr
      CSA400 Career Capstone

CSA400

Career Capstone - 2 credits

This course is the culmination of the career and self-awareness series, a comprehensive program for career and life planning. The course prepares students for a transition from university life to independent work life. Students will learn valuable financial and money management skills. Students will explore life balance issues, life roles, and self-concept as they relate to their future plans. Students will explore employment issues, such as the changing nature of work, diversity, trends, and job outlook. The course will require students to engage in networking and a job search with the goal of employment upon graduation. In addition, students who are seeking to enter graduate school will engage in the application process, including interviewing practice, and admissions essay writing.

Prerequisite: CSA260


    Prerequisite: CSA260
2 crs
         
Subtotal 60 crs   Subtotal 60 crs
         
      Grand Total 120 crs
      *Students are encouraged to complete an internship (LAW460

LAW460

Legal Studies Internship - 3 Credits

Students learn how to apply knowledge gained from course work to the practical work of a law office. Students are required to meet 15 hours per semester in seminar meetings and to work in a law office setting, which could include law firms, corporate law departments, or government agencies, for 120 hours.

Prerequisites: LAW105, LAW201, LAW203, LAW205.

).


Legal Studies Concentrations

Corporate Law 9 crs   Law & Technology 9 crs
LAW307 Business Organizations & Practice

LAW307

Business Organizations and Practice - 3 Credits

Students are introduced to the substantive law of business entities including sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, and corporations. Subjects covered include the application of substantive law to incorporation procedure, partnership agreements, general corporation maintenance, corporate capitalization, financing and corporate changes such as mergers, amendments, dissolutions.

Prerequisite: BUS204 is strongly recommended.


    Prerequisite: BUS204 is strongly recommended
3 crs   LAW306 E-Commerce: The Legal Context

LAW306

E-Commerce: The Legal Context - 3 Credits

This is a trailblazing course on e-commerce and the legal issues this activity has created. Among the topics covered are an overview of e-commerce; jurisdiction; copyrights; trademarks; privacy; obscenity; defamation; online contracts; and Internet taxation.

3 crs
LAW325 E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business

LAW325

E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business - 3 Credits

This is a web-supported course that examines the developing concept of e-government. Students become familiar with the methods used by state and federal government to regulate business by means of government websites. Assessment is based on a student generated portfolio.

Cross listed with BUS325.


    Cross listed with BUS325
3 crs   LAW310 Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law

LAW310

Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law - 3 Credits

This is an introductory course on the law of Intellectual Property. Among the topics covered are freedom of speech on the Web, ISP responsibilities, infringement, trademark issues on the Web, privacy and the Internet, copyright piracy and international trade issues, and new developments in trade secret law.

3 crs
BUS205 Business Law II (Corporate Law)

BUS205

Business Law II - 3 Credits

This course continues the study of Contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code and proceeds to Agency Law, which governs employer-employee fiduciary and contractual relationships. The Workers Compensation Act, including advantages and disadvantages to both employer and employee, is examined. Also covered are Sole Proprietorship, Partnership Law, both common and statutory provisions, Corporate Law and Bankruptcy Law.

3 crs   LAW325 E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business

LAW325

E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business - 3 Credits

This is a web-supported course that examines the developing concept of e-government. Students become familiar with the methods used by state and federal government to regulate business by means of government websites. Assessment is based on a student generated portfolio.

Cross listed with BUS325.


    Cross listed with BUS325
3 crs
         
Trial: Civil & Criminal 9 crs   Environmental Law 9 crs
CRJ209 Criminal Law

CRJ209

Criminal Law - 3 Credits

The course examines substantive and procedural criminal law including the common law and statutory offenses. Law of evidence, burden of proof, the jury system, and pre-trial dispositions are also studied.

Prerequisite: CRJ101 or LAW101.


    Prerequisite: CRJ101 or LAW101
3 crs   ENV121 Environmental Science:
A Global Concern

ENV121

Environmental Science - 3 Credits

This interdisciplinary approach to our world emphasizes the history of environmental concerns, biomes, species interactions with each other and their environment, air, water, soil and biological resources, population dynamics, toxicology, energy sources, land use management, and other related topics. Principles of physics, Environmental chemistry, and biology are incorporated throughout the course. Information learned in lecture is re-enforced or enhanced through laboratory activities and experimentation.

Laboratory fee required.

This class was previously ENV120.


    Laboratory fee required
3 crs
CRJ302 Criminal Procedure

CRJ302

Criminal Procedure - 3 Credits

This course is a survey and analysis of the due process rights of individuals in the criminal process. Emphasis is on the impact of the Bill of Rights on the practices of police, prosecutors and judges and the remedies available for the violation of those rights.

Prerequisite: CRJ209.


    Prerequisite: CRJ209
3 crs   ENV200 Environmental Policy

ENV200

Environmental Policy - 3 Credits

This course provides the foundation for an examination of the role of government in the conservation, preservation, and utilization of natural resources and the environment. The history of Federal legislation, regulation, and environmental law will be discussed in general terms. Major laws and treaties as well as agencies (and their programs) will be examined in detail.

Prerequisite: ENV121.


    Prerequisite: ENV121
3 crs
LAW Elective 3 crs   ENV220 Env. Impact Assessment

ENV220

Environmental Impact Assessment - 3 Credits

Preparation and review of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) brings together people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and goals to generate an assessment of the impact of private or government projects. This course serves to not only provide students with procedural information associated with the production of an EIS, but also supply them with basic field techniques. The final work product of this field-based course includes but is not limited to an Environmental Impact Statement.

Prerequisite: ENV121.


    Prerequisite: ENV121
3 crs
       
Law Office Administration 9 crs   Electives/ No Concentration  
BUS205 Business Law II (Corporate Law)

BUS205

Business Law II - 3 Credits

This course continues the study of Contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code and proceeds to Agency Law, which governs employer-employee fiduciary and contractual relationships. The Workers Compensation Act, including advantages and disadvantages to both employer and employee, is examined. Also covered are Sole Proprietorship, Partnership Law, both common and statutory provisions, Corporate Law and Bankruptcy Law.

3 crs   LAW306 E-Commerce: The Legal Context

LAW306

E-Commerce: The Legal Context - 3 Credits

This is a trailblazing course on e-commerce and the legal issues this activity has created. Among the topics covered are an overview of e-commerce; jurisdiction; copyrights; trademarks; privacy; obscenity; defamation; online contracts; and Internet taxation.

3 crs
ACC211 Managerial Accounting

ACC211

Managerial Accounting - 3 Credits

This course provides a practical understanding of the use of accounting data driven processes by management in planning and controlling operations in all functions of the enterprise and in choosing among alternative courses of action.

Prerequisite: ACC111


    Prerequisite: ACC111
3 crs   LAW307 Business Organizations & Practice

LAW307

Business Organizations and Practice - 3 Credits

Students are introduced to the substantive law of business entities including sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, and corporations. Subjects covered include the application of substantive law to incorporation procedure, partnership agreements, general corporation maintenance, corporate capitalization, financing and corporate changes such as mergers, amendments, dissolutions.

Prerequisite: BUS204 is strongly recommended.


    Prerequisite: BUS204 is strongly recommended
3 crs
MGT306 Small Business Mgt.

MGT306

Small Business Management - 3 Credits

This course examines the skills required to set up, operate, and manage a small business. The development of a business plan is integral and introduces the entrepreneurial concepts of business management, planning, capital, managing employees, marketing products and services.

Prerequisite: MGT 221 or permission of the instructor.


    Prerequisite: MGT221 or permission of the instructor
3 crs   LAW310 Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law

LAW310

Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law - 3 Credits

This is an introductory course on the law of Intellectual Property. Among the topics covered are freedom of speech on the Web, ISP responsibilities, infringement, trademark issues on the Web, privacy and the Internet, copyright piracy and international trade issues, and new developments in trade secret law.

3 crs
      LAW325 E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business

LAW325

E-Government: The New Legal Environment of Business - 3 Credits

This is a web-supported course that examines the developing concept of e-government. Students become familiar with the methods used by state and federal government to regulate business by means of government websites. Assessment is based on a student generated portfolio.

Cross listed with BUS325.


    Cross listed with BUS325
3 crs
      BUS205 Business Law II (Corporate Law)

BUS205

Business Law II - 3 Credits

This course continues the study of Contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code and proceeds to Agency Law, which governs employer-employee fiduciary and contractual relationships. The Workers Compensation Act, including advantages and disadvantages to both employer and employee, is examined. Also covered are Sole Proprietorship, Partnership Law, both common and statutory provisions, Corporate Law and Bankruptcy Law.

3 crs
      LAW315 Fraud Prevention and Examination

LAW315

Fraud Prevention and Examination3 credits

This course covers the principles and methodology of fraud prevention, detection, deterrence and investigation. The course includes such topics as skimming, cash larceny, check tampering, register disbursement schemes, billing schemes, payroll and expense reimbursement schemes, non-cash misappropriations, corruption, financial management fraud, and interviewing witnesses.

Prerequisite: ACC111


    Prerequisite: ACC111
3 crs

Universities regularly make changes to the curriculum in order to offer quality and relevant degrees.  Post University reserves the right to change the curriculum at any time.  Any changes to the curriculum will be published as soon as the changes have been approved.