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Legal Studies

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Develop Essential Skills For Success In Law And Beyond

A legal studies degree can prepare students for a wide variety of career paths. A legal studies degree program teaches students to research, communicate, write, solve problems and think critically, analytically and logically. Students learn about topics such as law, philosophy and history. After graduation, students can apply for entry-level positions or further their education. Learners can pursue many legal studies degree jobs both in the legal field and outside of it.

Witness Your Success With Legal Studies

Enter into the exciting world of law and become a voice for the people as a paralegal or legal assistant. Rather than defending people in court as a lawyer, you will be the bridge that connects people to a lawyer and allows their cases to be heard.

MWCC’s associate degree program in Legal Studies will show you how to navigate both the challenges and opportunities of many legal settings to find success in your career. You will be prepared to enter into the legal assisting field after you graduate and begin working on the side of justice.

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Start Your Career Right Away

After you earn your associate degree in Legal Studies, you will be ready to enter the legal assisting field in an entry-level position as a paralegal or legal assistant. This program is intended for immediate career entry, but you can pursue further education on MWCC’s LAS Pre-Law degree track to increase your potential job placement or continue into law school.

Be part of something great!

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In the north-central MA area, paralegals and legal assistants make an average of $55,000 a year with an associate degree! Your degree from MWCC will give you strong computer skills and a solid background in legal studies, so your skillset will help you find a job fast in this growing market.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment in the legal field will increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030. A legal studies degree salary can range from $32,900 to $85,160, and in some cases higher, when students earn higher degrees in the legal field. In 2020, the BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,920 for paralegals and legal assistants.

An associate degree in legal studies will prepare you for a paralegal position in various legal settings. After graduation, you can work in settings such as courthouses, law offices, insurance companies, administrative agencies or corporate in-house counsel offices.

The Legal Studies degree program covers a wide range of legal topics to make sure that you have the knowledge you will need to succeed in your career.

You will take classes in the following topics:

  • Family Law
  • Business Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • American Government and Politics
  • Litigation

These legal studies degree concentrations will enable you to explore different areas of the law and decide which interests you the most. With so many career paths and opportunities available, choosing a concentration you like can help you narrow down which career path you want to take.

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The MWCC legal studies degree prepares students to obtain entry-level legal studies jobs as paralegals or legal assistants. However, some students further their education in legal studies and move on to earn a bachelor’s degree and enroll in an accredited law school.

When students earn a law degree, they can pursue a career as a lawyer in a law firm, a nonprofit, a corporation or the government. In 2020, lawyers earned annual salaries ranging from $61,490 to $208,000.

Legal studies degree careers can also include jobs outside the legal field. Students with a law degree can move on to careers such as human resources, advocacy, recruitment, journalism, accounting, politics, management consulting and wealth management and investment banking. They can also become judge’s associates or police prosecutors. Because studying law gives people skills in writing and paying attention to detail, journalism is a great career for this type of degree.

Some students with a law degree can work in accounting firms, but many accounting firms will require employees to obtain further qualification. Human resources is a great career for people with law degrees because these individuals understand employment laws. In addition to these careers, students can also pursue employment as law enforcement officers, law librarians, real estate agents, social workers or probation officers.

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Behind The Scenes Of Justice

As a paralegal or legal assistant, you will help people by aiding a lawyer with their cases and legal processes. Even though you will not directly provide legal services to the public, your role is important in making sure their cases are completed successfully. You will work behind the scenes of the justice system and provide support to lawyers.

Some of the things you will do include:

  • Interviewing witnesses.
  • Maintaining legal documents.
  • Organizing and archiving documents.
  • Researching legal materials to aid in decision-making.
  • Assisting in trial and court preparations.
  • Preparing legal documents and evidence for trials.
  • Monitoring changes in legal framework and provide updates on changes.

Start Your Law Career With An Associates Degree In Legal Studies

If you’re ready to pursue a career in the law field, obtaining an associate degree in Legal Studies is the first step. Earning a Legal Studies degree will help you develop skills in researching, writing, communicating and thinking critically, which will prepare you for a wide variety of career paths and opportunities.

After graduation, you can enter directly into the career field by obtaining an entry-level position or expand your education and pursue higher degrees to build upon your existing one. We offer convenient class schedules with day, evening and online options, and we also provide accelerated courses if you prefer to complete your degree in less time. Contact MWCC to learn more about how we can help you pursue your dream career.

Start Your Law Career With an Associates Degree in Legal Studies

Compliance Officer

Median Salary: $71,000

Legal Assistant

Median Salary: $50,000

Paralegal

Median Salary: $58,000

UMass Amherst

Bachelor’s Program: Legal Studies Program/Agreement: MassTransfer

Testimonials

Your Journey Starts Here

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“I feel comfortable and well prepared with what I learned at the Mount, and I’m proud to say that I graduated from this program.”
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Entela Roba

Physical Therapy Assistant, Class Of 2010

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“Going to the Mount was a tradition in my family. The year I graduated, my father graduated with his degree in nursing. MWCC made so much possible for me.” Denise was named Alumna of the Year in 2011
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Denise Gosselin

Criminal Justice, Class Of 1976
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Mercy Aryee

Computer Science, Class Of 2024
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“Mount Wachusett Community College pushed me out of my comfort zone or, should I say, gently nudged me with their guidance and assistance in completing my first degree at the age of 61. I am not your typical undergraduate. I am not the typical age, not the typical student, and I certainly did not take the typical amount of time to complete this degree.”
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Paula Morgan

Liberal Arts & Sciences, Class Of 2024

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“The Dental Assisting program at MWCC offers a hands-on training by faculty in the dental field. The professors are very helpful and knowledgeable, and the clinic is beautiful. If you enjoy helping people, wanting to make a difference in patients’ oral health and working in a professional environment then I really recommend Dental Assisting program at MWCC.”
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Elzbieta Solimeno

Dental, Class Of 2019

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“MassReconnect has helped me to pay for the college education that I never thought I’d earn, and show my four boys that its never too late.”
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William Boudreau

Engineering Physics

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“For those who are battling a disability, MWCC encouraged me and gave me a solid foundation to achieve my educational and career goals. There were times that I felt like giving up, but I kept moving forward and soon I will start a PhD program. It is all up to you.”
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Ricardo Scarello

Computer Information Systems, Class Of 2007

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“I am currently working towards my bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music Online and would not have been able to do it without the knowledge and skills I learned at MWCC.”
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Mackenzie Christensen

Media Arts & Technology, Class Of 2017

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“Being a part of a community college is a whole body and mind experience – you can’t just come and take classes. I’ve made so many friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
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Kaitlyn Fales

Business Administration, Class Of 2018
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“I think it goes without saying that the Mount is a supportive place. There is not a person on staff that I didn’t feel comfortable with.”
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Austin Seppala

Business Administration, Class Of 2010

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