Legal Studies Concentration
This concentration is an integrated degree which combines coursework in communication, political systems, criminology, ethics and philosophy, history, and economics to prepare students for the rigors of graduate work in the area of law or the field of alternative dispute resolution.
Other Concentrations
This concentration is an integrated degree which combines coursework in communication, political systems, criminology, ethics and philosophy, history, and economics to prepare students for the rigors of graduate work in the area of law or the field of alternative dispute resolution.
Interested in pursuing a Legal Studies concentration? In the following video, one of our students shares their experience.
Legal Studies with Michelle Fremen.
With advanced planning, students may be eligible for an accelerated law degree through the Scalia Law School or accelerated master's programs at Mason.
Mason offers many Accelerated Master's Programs that allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as 5 years. Click here to learn more about the different degree programs.
Alternative Pathways to Mason's Scalia Law School
Mason undergraduates can apply the traditional route to Scalia Law, they also have many alternative JD admission options available to them. Below is a breakdown of the requirements for each of these alternative JD admission options.
3+3:
*Complete all major and university-required coursework by the end of your junior (third) year of undergraduate study.
*Maintain a 3.25 or higher cumulative GPA, as calculated by LSAC.
*Be in good academic standing.
*Must take the LSAT and receive a score at or above the previously admitted class’s median. (Fall 2025 incoming class median was a 169)
*Must submit entire application through LSAC by January 1 of the year in which the student wishes to enroll.
Mason2Mason:
*Current Mason undergraduate in their final academic year of undergraduate education.
*Must have completed at least 6 semesters at GMU as an undergraduate.
*Must have at least a 3.7 cumulative GPA or higher, as calculated by LSAC.
*Must have a reportable SAT or ACT score in the 85th percentile.
*Must be in good academic standing.
*Must not have a reportable LSAT score.
Mason2:
*Must be a graduating Mason undergraduate or must have received your undergraduate degree from Mason.
*Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.93 or higher, as calculated by LSAC.
*Must be in good academic standing.
*Must not have a reportable LSAT score.
Major Map
| First Year | Middle Years | Last Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academics |
Take required courses. Make a connection with a professor. Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester your first year. |
Meet with your advisor to choose courses and stay on track with meeting degree requirements. Declare/consider declaring your concentration. Consider a double major or a minor. Is a Bachelor to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program right for you? Apply as early as 60 credits! Reach out to faculty for research mentorship. |
Work closely with your advisor to verify you are meeting your graduation requirements. Apply for graduation. Take INTS 491 Senior Capstone (Mason Core). Consider submitting your research to CHSS Research Symposium.
|
| Career and Professional Prep |
Visit the Career Services Center to start research on the types of jobs or industries you may find interesting (ex. Government, Law & Criminal Justice, Work Abroad, and more). Build a resume and LinkedIn profile to continue career exploration and develop your professional persona. Activate your Handshake profile to explore and opt-in to industry email lists. Start talking to professionals and faculty members via informational interviews to gain insight on their path through their career. |
Enroll in INTS 420: College to Career Skills. Look for internship opportunities using University Career Services and Handshake. Have an internship? Enroll in INTS 490: Internship to receive credit for internship. Discuss with multiple faculty and current professionals in the work force whether graduate school might be the right path for you. Consider graduate or professional schools in the United States or abroad. Prepare standardized admission tests for graduate or professional schools, if necessary. Apply for scholarships and fellowships. Create your own Career Advisory Board (pdf). Join student organizations related to your career field. Talk to your professors about your goals, and ask them about job or internship opportunities. Connect with Mason alumni who share your career interests and have a career conversation (docx) with them. Use job search sites specific to your career field. Attend career fairs and employer events where you can meet multiple representatives. International Students: Be informed of the latest immigration compliance rules and regulations for on-campus and off-campus work authorization. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) for more information. |
Specify prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least nine months before graduation. Finalize materials for post-graduation employment (such as your LinkedIn page, a portfolio, etc). For graduate school applications, prepare statement of purpose/goals statement, resume and/or CV, and notify the writers of your letters of recommendation before application deadlines.
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| Experiences |
Attend a meeting of )department-sponsored student club) to meet fellow majors and get involved in LinkedIn and Mason 360. Consider joining at least one Mason student org. Check them all out on Mason 360. Look ahead to planning a student abroad program through the Global Education Office. In the meantime, see what Northern Virginia and Washington DC have to offer!
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Meet people and become involved in the life of the college. Events and news for your major. Strengthen your leadership competency. Become a CHSS Ambassador. Become a CHSS Undergraduate Learning Assistant. |
Attend a regional or national research conference (Search for student discounts or complimentary for conference registration). Join professional associations (student discount membership may be available).
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