Legal Studies

Samuel D. Hodge, Jr., J.D., Chair
Office: Speakman Hall 208
215-204-8135
samuel.hodge@temple.edu
http://sbm.temple.edu/dept/legal/

The Legal Studies curriculum is designed to acquaint students with the broad spectrum of the economic, political, and sociological framework within which the law functions. It also may be pursued as a pre-law major in preparation for law school. Majors will be exposed to a curriculum that will challenge their thinking process and reasoning abilities through the use of actual court cases, trial simulations, negotiations and other advocacy skills that stress written and oral communication. All faculty are law trained, and the courses offer an interesting blend of theory and practice.

Students pursuing this curriculum in preparation for the study of law should acquaint themselves with the content and format of the Law School Admissions Test. Information about the test and the Law School admission’s process may be accessed by visiting our website.

Legal Studies majors are encouraged to become involved in Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International. This organization hosts guest speakers, sponsors law-related field trips, and assists students in gaining internships within the legal field.

Summary of Requirements

Students must meet College Graduation Requirements including the requirements of the major listed below. Legal Studies students must attain a 2.0 GPA in the major and a 2.0 cumulative GPA in order to graduate. Please note that GPA requirements for Law School admission will be significantly higher. Use the major GPA calculator at www.fox.temple.edu/advising to calculate the GPA in the major.

Requirements of Legal Studies Major

The Temple Law Scholars Program

Temple University School of Law and the Temple University Fox School of Business and Management have created a program for exceptional students who plan on attending law school. The Temple Law Scholars Program provides an opportunity for outstanding students to gain provisional admission to Temple University School of Law at the same time they are accepted into the Fox School of Business and Management. As Temple Law Scholars, students will spend their undergraduate years in Temple's Honors Program with a major in Legal Studies, after which they will enroll in Temple University School of Law, leading to the degree of Juris Doctor.

The Temple Law Scholars Program offers two options:

1. The 3/3 option offers an accelerated experience in which the student begins law school after three years of undergraduate work in the Honors program. The bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Legal Studies is awarded after completion of the first year of law school, and the law degree is received after three years of law school.

2. The 4/3 program offers an enriched undergraduate experience in which the student receives the bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Legal Studies after four years in the Honors Program, and the law degree after three years of law school.

Students who wish to seek additional work experience prior to matriculating in law school can also be granted a one-year deferral between college and law school. For more information about the Department of Legal Studies and its course offerings, please visit our website at http://sbm.temple.edu/dept/legal/.