The Legal Studies major at UW-Superior is unique among programs in the UW System and unrivaled in its scope and breadth throughout the Midwest. Because law increasingly determines how we organize our lives, those who study it cannot afford to be mere technicians. Instead, they must expand their horizons to encompass the dynamic changes taking place here and around the world. At the core of Legal Studies is a commitment to the ideals of justice and to the norms of fairness and constitutionalism which sustain it. That is why good citizenship and civic engagement are themes developed throughout UW-Superior's Legal Studies curriculum.

Although the Legal Studies program is relatively new at UW-Superior, starting in 1997, its graduates have already compiled an impressive record of gaining admission to law school and in finding employment in many venues. Our graduates now serve across the country as lawyers, court officers, paralegals and mediators, as well as bankers, government employees and regulators.

There is no better introduction to arguing a case at law than participation on the UW-Superior Mock Trial team. Open to all students, mock trial sharpens your analytical skills by forcing you to consider and argue on all sides of an issue. The UW-Superior mock trial team has put up an impressive record of success. We are regularly asked to compete in regional and national competitions at the highest level of forensic skill and ability. Tryouts are held every year in mid-to-late September. Students with an interest in law or debate or experience in public speaking and theater are especially encouraged to try out. Even new members participate in competitions and have often gone to nationals.

The Legal Studies minor is an excellent complement for those majoring in such fields as Business, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Communicating Arts and History.

In addition to the major and minor, we offer certificate programs in paralegal education and in alternative dispute resolution. These are open both to degree-? seeking students as well as to those interested only in completing certificate training.

The Legal Studies program also offers a major and minor in Criminal Justice; those interested in this course of study should refer to the separate Criminal Justice fact sheet, available from the UW-Superior Admissions Office.

Degrees and Majors/Minors

Major:

Legal Studies

Minor:

Legal Studies

Certificate programs:

• Paralegal Certificate
• Mediation/Conflict Resolution Certificate
• Certificate in Ethical Leadership

Let's Talk Legal Studies!

• Legal Studies is not limited to preparation for a career; it is preparation for life.
• Any other major can get you into law school but only Legal Studies can give you insights and skills in college that assure success late in law school. 95% of our graduates entering law school have completed.
• Instructors in the program engage students through debate, simulations, small-group discussion, collaborative learning assignments and one-on-one interaction inside and outside the classroom.
• All majors are guaranteed an internship placement. Internships include working in the office of a lawyer, judge, district attorney or public defender, public official or in a law-related agency.
• Majors in the program work with one faculty advisor throughout their college career to design an individualized education plan which continues with you as you progress through the program.
• The UW-Superior Mock Trial Team and the Pre-Law Society are student organizations that reinforce material learned in the classroom. The mock trial team is consistently a nation-wide contender.
• Courses are taught in the growing fields of alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

What can you do with a degree in Legal Studies from UW-Superior?

• Go to law school or graduate school
• Work in law-related fields such as paralegal, mediation, insurance, non-profit organizations, government jobs, legal journalism, and any other field that includes regulation and law-related work
• Work in peacemaking and conflict resolution fields. The U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of lawyers will grow 13% through 2018. Those with legal training are also finding administrative, managerial, and business positions in banks, insurance firms, real estate companies, government agencies and other organizations. Related fields, such as mediation and alternative dispute resolution, are expected to grow as more people seek to settle disputes without going to court.
  (See the BLS Webpage at: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm)

What do our former students say about Legal Studies?

Bradley Amys (Judge Advocate, US Air Force):

"The hands on practical experience I gained through participation on UWS' nationally competitive moot court and mock trial teams provided me valuable litigation skills, built confidence in myself, and trained me think on my feet in the heat of the moment. The academic curriculum is designed to help students think critically about the law, current events, and the ways of the world. This program put me a step above my fellow classmates."

Alexis Stangl (Staff Attorney, Minnesota Non- Profit Association):

"To me, the most practical benefit of graduating from Legal Studies at UWS was it was a total package at a reasonable cost. First, the wide selection of classes coupled with excellent professors gave me a solid understanding of the legal process and taught me how to think in a different way. But the classes were not just about the law, but also about learning to write, think, and communicate - all things you would expect from a liberal arts college. Second, the legal studies program offered many opportunities and experiences I would not have had otherwise, such as mock mediation and mock trial (just to name a couple). Third, the general sense of camaraderie and friendship among the legal studies students made for a comfortable and enjoyable learning environment. Above all else, my time spent as a legal studies major taught me how to think critically and communicate effectively. Not only are these skills invaluable in my work as an attorney, but they are also extremely helpful in all aspects of my life."

Katie Seipel-Anderson (Legal Secretary):

"[My Legal Studies education] provided me with a solid base/ background for understanding concepts and processes when working in the legal field. This understanding has provided me the opportunity to draft complicated legal documents and manage legal files and procedures."