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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Legal Studies

Legal Studies

Overview

Career opportunities in legal studies have an excellent outlook. Labor market information for the greater Sacramento region indicates that there is an undersupply of educational awards in legal studies as compared to the number of projected annual openings for positions in this professional area. A Legal Studies certificate creates opportunities in the legal profession as lawyer, judge, mediator, paralegal, consultant, educator, corporate attorney, court administrator, governmental administrator, or politician.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.A.-T. in Law, Public Policy, and Society
  • Legal Studies Certificate
  • Interim Dean Jeff Moran
  • Department Chair Kelly Gould
  • Phone (916) 558-2401
  • Email SCC-BSS@losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Law, Public Policy, and Society

The Associate in Arts in Law, Public Policy and Society for Transfer Degree (AA-T) is designed to provide a solid, multi-disciplinary lower-division preparation for students who intend to transfer to a California State University (CSU) for a bachelor’s degree in American Studies, Communications, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Global Intelligence and National Security, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences or similar degree. Students planning to transfer to a CSU with a major in Law, Public Policy, and Society should consult the lower division requirements at the university they plan to attend. Through interdisciplinary studies in the administration of justice, political science, business, history, economics, sociology, global studies, and communications, students will acquire skills in critical thinking, persuasive communication, analytical writing, and a foundational understanding of the behavioral and social sciences.

The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):

(1) Completion of 60-semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
(A) The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.

(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students must earn a "C" or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
Core Classes:
A minimum of 24 units from the following: 24
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
   or ADMJ 320 Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
   or ADMJ 322 Criminal Procedures (3)
   or ADMJ 480 Concepts of Criminal Law - Honors (3)
   or BUS 340 Business Law (3)
   or BUS 345 Law and Society (3)
   or SOC 319 Sociology of Law and Justice (3)
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
   or COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
   or COMM 331 Group Discussion (3)
   or COMM 481 Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors (3)
COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
   or COMM 315 Persuasion (3)
   or ENGL C1001 Critical Thinking and Writing (3)
   or ENGL C1001H Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors (3)
ECON 310 Statistics for Business and Economics (3)
   or PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
   or STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics (4)
   or STAT C1000H Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4)
ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (3)
   or ENGL 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
   or ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
HIST C1001 United States History to 1877 (3)
   or HIST C1002 United States History since 1865 (3)
   or HIST 320 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
   or HIST 321 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
   or HIST C1001H United States History to 1877 - Honors (3)
   or HIST C1002H United States History since 1865 - Honors (3)
   or HIST 486 History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
   or HIST 487 History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
PHIL 310 Introduction to Ethics (3)
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics (3)
   or POLS C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors (3)
Select two courses (6 units total) from two different areas listed below (courses must not have been used above):
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
Area 1: Administration of Justice
ADMJ 300 Introduction to Administration of Justice (3)
ADMJ 302 Community Relations: Multicultural Issues (3)
ADMJ 304 Juvenile Delinquency (3)
ADMJ 320 Concepts of Criminal Law (3)
   or ADMJ 480 Concepts of Criminal Law - Honors (3)
ADMJ 322 Criminal Procedures (3)
ADMJ 323 Legal Aspects of Evidence (3)
ADMJ 340 Introduction to Correctional Services (3)
ADMJ 349 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
   or SOC 318 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
Area 2: Business
BUS 340 Business Law (3)
BUS 345 Law and Society (3)
Area 3: Economics
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
ECON C2001 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Area 4: Political Science
POLS 302 Comparative Politics (3)
POLS 310 Introduction to International Relations (3)
   or POLS 480 Introduction to International Relations - Honors (3)
POLS 320 Introduction to Political Theory (3)
Area 5: Public Policy
GLST 301 Introduction to Global Studies (3)
GLST 302 Global Issues (3)
SJS 300 Introduction to Social Justice Studies (3)
SOC 301 Social Problems (3)
Area 6: Diversity
ANTH 310 Cultural Anthropology (3)
   or ANTH 481 Honors Cultural Anthropology (3)
COMM 325 Intercultural Communication (3)
ETHNS 300 Introduction to Ethnic Studies (3)
ETHNS 320 Introduction to African American Studies (3)
ETHNS 330 Introduction to Asian American Studies (3)
ETHNS 341 The Sociology & Psychology of Mexicans and Latinos in the U.S. (3)
ETHNS 350 Introduction to Native American Studies (3)
ETHNS 360 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies (3)
GEOG 310 Human Geography: Exploring Earth's Cultural Landscapes (3)
SOC 321 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)
   or SOC 482 Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States - Honors (3)
SOC 341 Sex and Gender in the U.S. (3)
Area 7: College Success
HCD 310 College Success (3)
INDIS 313 Freshman Seminar (3)
Total Units: 30

The Associate in Arts in Law, Public Policy, and Society for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • identify and discuss the legal framework for American institutions and systems of justice.
  • critically analyze issues in public policy consistent with constitutional legal standards and mandates.
  • demonstrate knowledge of practical applications and evaluations of policy outcomes in civic culture.
  • analyze, investigate, and compare ideological approaches to governmental systems.
  • research specific topics of discussion in local, state, national, and international politics.
  • identify and demonstrate effective and appropriate written and oral communication skills, both verbal and nonverbal, in a variety of communication contexts and with diverse populations.

Career Information

Career opportunities with a bachelor's degree include professions in law, government, public relations, lobbying, diplomacy, advocacy, public safety services, intelligence analysts, criminal investigations, court service careers, social work, and correctional services.

Certificate of Achievement

Legal Studies Certificate

The legal studies certificate is designed to enhance opportunities for employment in the legal profession.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
BUS 345 Law and Society (3) 3
   or SOC 318 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
   or ADMJ 349 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, and Social Control (3)
   or BUS 340 Business Law (3)
COMM 303 Mediated Oral Communication (3) 3
   or COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (3) 3 - 4
   or ENGL 488 Honors College Composition and Research (4)
   or ESLW 340 Advanced Composition (4)
ENGL 301 College Composition and Literature (3) 3 - 4
   or ENGL C1001 Critical Thinking and Writing (3)
   or ENGL C1003 Critical Thinking and Writing through Literature (4)
   or ENGL C1001H Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors (3)
HIST C1001 United States History to 1877 (3) 3
   or HIST C1002 United States History since 1865 (3)
   or HIST 320 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
   or HIST 321 History of the United States: African-American Emphasis (3)
   or HIST C1001H United States History to 1877 - Honors (3)
   or HIST C1002H United States History since 1865 - Honors (3)
   or HIST 486 History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
   or HIST 487 History of the United States: African American Emphasis - Honors (3)
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics (3) 3
   or POLS C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors (3)
STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics (4) 3 - 4
   or STAT C1000H Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4)
   or ECON 310 Statistics for Business and Economics (3)
   or PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
Total Units: 21 - 24

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • effectively communicate in both oral and written formats.
  • identify career opportunities in the legal profession.
  • analyze crime causation, recognize the elements within statues and be familiar with procedures utilities to enforce those statutes.
  • evaluate the complex legal aspects of criminal investigations, law procedures, constitutional law, and case law.
  • identify and explain the purpose and authority of the local, state, and federal courts systems.
  • define and use legal terminology accurately and appropriately.

Career Information

Career opportunities in legal studies have an excellent outlook. Labor Market Information for the greater Sacramento region indicates that there is an undersupply of educational awards in legal studies as compared to the number of projected annual openings for positions in this professional area. This certificate creates opportunities in the legal profession as lawyer, judge, mediator, paralegal, consultant, educator, corporate attorney, court administrator, governmental administrator, or politician.

Catalog