Legal studies helps business, accounting, HR, cybersecurity, political science and real estate majors handle contracts, compliance and regulation.
Skills a Legal Studies minor adds
- Legal research
- Contracts
- Compliance
Majors that pair well with Legal Studies
| Major | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Helps with tax law, contracts and compliance. |
| Human Resources Management | Deepens your knowledge of employment law. |
| Entrepreneurship | Covers contracts, liability and business formation. |
| Insurance and Risk Management | Helps with policy contracts and claims disputes. |
| Cybersecurity | Covers privacy law and compliance requirements. |
| English and Professional Writing | Fits legal writing and pre-law. |
| Political Science | Prepares you for law school and legal work. |
Want to study it in depth? See the Legal Studies and Paralegal major.
Careers where a Legal Studies minor helps
Paralegal
Research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.
- Typical training: 6 months to 2 years
Compliance Officer
Make sure an organization follows the laws and rules that apply to it.
- Typical training: Moderate on-the-job training
Legal Secretary
Keep a law office running by managing documents, filings and calendars.
- Typical training: Several months on the job
Related career training
A self-paced online course on what paralegals do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: legal research, legal writing and drafting, and discovery management
Why it fits: Builds practical knowledge for careers a Legal Studies minor points toward.
Legal Studies minor FAQ
What is a Legal Studies minor?
A Legal Studies minor adds an understanding of law, contracts and the legal system. Legal studies helps business, accounting, HR, cybersecurity, political science and real estate majors handle contracts, compliance and regulation.
What does a Legal Studies minor include?
A Legal Studies minor covers skills such as legal research, contracts, and compliance. Most minors require about 15 to 24 credit hours, often five to eight courses; each college sets its own requirements.
What majors go well with a Legal Studies minor?
It pairs well with Accounting, Human Resources Management, Entrepreneurship, Insurance and Risk Management, Cybersecurity, English and Professional Writing, and Political Science.
Is Legal Studies a good minor for Accounting majors?
It can be. Helps with tax law, contracts and compliance.
Is Legal Studies a good minor for Human Resources Management majors?
It can be. Deepens your knowledge of employment law.
Is Legal Studies a good minor for Entrepreneurship majors?
It can be. Covers contracts, liability and business formation.
What skills does a Legal Studies minor add?
Skills such as legal research, contracts, and compliance.
What careers can a Legal Studies minor help with?
It can support careers such as paralegal, compliance officer, and legal secretary, especially combined with a related major.
Is a Legal Studies minor worth it?
It is worth it if it fills a gap in your major or supports the career you want. Legal studies helps business, accounting, HR, cybersecurity, political science and real estate majors handle contracts, compliance and regulation.
What is the difference between a Legal Studies major and a Legal Studies minor?
A Legal Studies and Paralegal major is your main field of study (certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees) and prepares you for careers such as paralegal, legal secretary, and court clerk. A minor is a smaller set of courses that adds legal Studies knowledge to a different major.
Can any major add a Legal Studies minor?
At most colleges, students in many majors can add a minor if they meet its prerequisites and can fit the courses. Check your college’s requirements.