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.

Faculty Spotlight: How Faculty Office Hours Can Support Your Career Goals

Published on April 3, 2023

We strive to earn a college degree because we want a solid foundation to launch our careers. Cornerstones to our preparation are grounded in our engagement with members of the professional and career development team in the Pathways Center (Thompson …

By Koni Denham
Koni Denham Director of Student Success - SBS
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Faculty Spotlight: How Faculty Office Hours Support Your Academic Aspirations

Published on March 1, 2023

The biggest misperception about faculty office hours is that you have to be struggling with the class to meet with your professor outside of class. This could not be further from the truth. You can take advantage of faculty office …

By Koni Denham
Koni Denham Director of Student Success - SBS
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Why I Chose to Major in Legal Studies & Political Science

Published on February 27, 2023

By Xavier Aparico, February 22, 2023

Almost everyone has some type of story or motivation of why they chose their major. Whether it be due to basic interest, future prospects, or pursuing their passions. With the multitude of options, I …

By Adrian Grace
Adrian Grace Director of Undergraduate Advising
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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 >

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 >
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Featured Resources

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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…
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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 2023 was 80%, 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.