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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.

Political Science & Legal Studies Academic Advising Is Here for You!

It might be August, but the Advising Team is still available for questions or conversations. Just log onto Navigate and book an appointment today.

Remember, we use a team-based advising model. Feel free to select the next available appointment with …

By Adrian Grace
Adrian Grace Director of Undergraduate Advising
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Seniors – schedule appointments with us during the summer

The SBS career team is here for you all summer, and we know that many of you have decided to hold off on your job search until after graduation.  You can schedule appointments with us for up to six months …

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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Welcome Dr. Mnisi Weeks to Legal Studies

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Sindiso Mnisi Weeks to the Legal Studies faculty this fall.

Dr. Mnisi Weeks was born and raised in South Africa and got her law degree at the University of Cape Town. She then went …

By Shawn Samuels
Shawn Samuels Academic Advisor
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Featured Alumni

Featured Resources

Skill-Building With Linkedin Learning Classes

See below for skill-building classes – visit LinkedIn Learning for more.

Relevant Courses

Research Opportunities

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.