Legal Studies

Welcome to the Legal Studies Program at UMass! We are the oldest undergraduate law and society major in the country and the only one offered at a public university in New England. Students majoring in Legal Studies are exposed to a wide array of courses that focus on the interrelationship between law, politics, and society in American, foreign, and international contexts. Our faculty are some of the best teachers and researchers in the nation and are experts on areas like human trafficking, judicial decision making, immigration, legal policymaking, alternative dispute resolution, the right to privacy, transitional justice, and many others.

Undergraduate program options include a Bachelor’s degree and letters of specialization.

Welcome to Undergraduate Advising & Support

We’ve built this webpage to serve as a dynamic hub for semester updates, event information, and useful advising links. The colorful buttons above offer quick links to the Political Science department website where a wealth of detailed information about the Legal Studies program is housed. Other buttons can connect you to academic, experiential, and career supports. If you have time, it’s worth exploring all of pages of this SBS Pathways website as your interests develop and change. We hope it will play an active role in your student success.

5 Effective Tips to Calm Your Stress During Finals

The Pathways Center wants you to have a successful finals week and we recognize that the couple of weeks leading up to it can be very stressful. Here are 5 effective tips to help you to unwind and calm your …

By Koni Denham
Koni Denham Director of Student Success - SBS
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Why take SOC BEHAV 250: College to Careers?

Earn Credit & De-Stress Your Career Planning!

Learn: How To Get Internships And Jobs
Build: Your Network
Create: a Polished Resume, Cover letter & LinkedIn Profile
Get: Expert Advice in a Student-Friendly Setting

Register for this highly useful and popular …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Winter Break Skill Building Program, with SBS Careers

Winter break is around the corner and is a long 6+ weeks.  Are you wondering how to use that time?

Your SBS Career team invites you to join us virtually for a structured, self-guided professional skill building program, so you …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Featured Alumni

Melissa James’10 Journalism, Legal Studies

Alumni
  • Boston, MA
  • Founder & CEO The Tech-Connection
Meet Melissa >

Annaly Monteiro-Serena’19, Legal Studies

Alumni
  • Boston, MA
  • AmeriCorps Legal Advocate Cambridge & Somerville Legal Services
Meet Annaly >
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Featured Resources

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Relevant Courses

SBS College to Careers – SOCBEHAV 250

SOCBEHAV 250: College to Careers This class is all about YOU. • One credit, highly-participatory course • Learn about yourself…
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Research Opportunities

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Explore Outcomes

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2022 was 70%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

The SBS Office of Career & Professional Development annually surveys graduating seniors in order to provide a snapshot of their post-graduation plans.  The survey begins just prior to graduation, and continues until six months after graduation.  Our data collection process is guided by the industry standard put forth by the National Association of Colleges & Employers, and includes information collected by the SBS Office of Career & Professional Development, the Office of Institutional Research at UMass Amherst, and by various academic departments, as well as from information that is made publicly available by students.  The SBS undergraduate outcomes knowledge rate for 2022 was 70%, though knowledge rate varies among departments.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Job Titles
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

SBS graduates pursue a range of plans after graduation, including employment, continuing education, and volunteering/service, among others.  This graph depicts what recent SBS graduates tell us they are doing within six months after graduation.