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.

Legal Studies Student Edward Lew Co-Authors New Book about Medical Pioneer Halstead Holman

Published on March 4, 2022

Edward R. Lew, an undergraduate student pursuing his degree in legal studies at UMass Amherst, has co-authored a new book about the incredible life and career of medical pioneer Halsted Reid Holman.

To read more, link here.

By UMass Office of News and Media Relations
UMass Office of News and Media Relations
Read more

Collins’ Research Featured Extensively in FiveThirtyEight Article on Supreme Court Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson

Published on March 4, 2022

(From MJ Petersen and the Political Science Newsletter)

Research by Paul Collins and his coauthors, Christy Boyd and Lori Ringhand, was featured in a FiveThirtyEight article about how Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing is likely to …

By Adrian Grace
Adrian Grace Director of Undergraduate Advising
Send Email
Read more

Apply to the Community Scholars Program!

Published on March 2, 2022

Now more than ever, students might be seeking an opportunity to work on issues of social change.  Mounting and intersecting crises are deepening inequality and suffering in the U.S. and across the globe. Thankfully, there are many examples of resistance, …

By Candice Travis
Candice Travis Advisor & Outreach Coordinator
Send Email
Read more

Sidebar

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 >

Gil Kim’23, Legal Studies

Alumni
  • English Teacher EPIK (English Program in Korea)
Meet Gil >

Gabriella Galluzzo’23 Legal Studies

Alumni
  • New York
  • Paralegal Slater Slater Schulman LLP
Meet Gabriella >
View All People

Featured Resources

View More

Skill-Building With Linkedin Learning Classes

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

Learning Data Science: Understanding the Basics

Taught by Doug Rose
Many of the people who work on data science teams won’t be data scientists. They’ll be the managers and associates…
Learn More
View All Classes

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…
Learn More
View All Courses

Research Opportunities

View More

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.