Summer Alberts 
It’s common for people to confuse the terms legal studies and legal services. That is definitely not the case since both terms have different meanings, but they are related in some ways. A legal service consists of providing assistance and support to clients or organizations who require legal assistance. The professionals who provide these services are referred to as lawyers, paralegals, and legal aid providers, etc. By contrast, legal studies is an academic field that focuses on the study of law and legal systems without the practice of law. A person who wishes to enter the field of legal services should be aware of the differences between these terms in order to choose the right career path and degree program. In this article, you can understand what legal support & services mean, what you study in a legal services degree program, and what career options are available.
Key Takeaways
- While legal services concern hands-on work assisting lawyers and clients, legal studies concern themselves with the law, legal systems and associated theories academically.
- Training includes legal research and writing, ethics, and litigation, and even includes some specialties such as family law and real estate, providing graduates with the skills needed to succeed as paralegals and legal supporters.
- Employment opportunities include paralegal, policy analyst, compliance officer, contract manager, probation officer, claims adjuster, HR specialist, and even real estate agent.
- Top earners, especially in the government and finance sectors, nearly make $99,000 a year, while the median salary of paralegals and legal assistants is around.
What are Legal Support & Services?
A legal support and services provider is an individual who offers support and assistance to individuals, businesses, governments, and corporations. A legal assistant may help an attorney in court with defense or prosecution cases, prepare legal documents, make clients aware of their rights, and even organize files on cases. In dealing with legal matters, the majority of individuals require assistance, as the law is quite complicated. They are not lawyers but they play a major role in the smooth legal process.
What Do You Study in Legal Services Degree Programs?
There are several legal services degrees, including a Bachelor or a Master’s of Legal Studies (MSL). Students learn about the origins of law, such as legal systems, rules, and practices, and acquire skills in legal analysis, reasoning, and advocacy. They also further examine particular fields of law, such as business law, real estate, dispute resolution, and others. The content of the courses may differ in general depending on the university. As an example, Purdue University provides the following programs in its online Associate in Legal Support and Services degree:
- Legal Research and Writing
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
- Introduction to Torts
- Family Law
It is therefore advisable to research the degree program before taking admission to make sure it covers the topics you want to study.
Legal Services vs Legal Studies
As mentioned earlier, both legal services and legal studies have different meanings, but they are related. In legal services, interns and students work with lawyers and attorneys and learn how to develop documents, handle case files, research laws, and communicate with clients It is safe to say that legal studies is a field of study that is theoretical in nature. Through books and research papers, students gain an understanding of the role of law in society, its foundation, and its applications to various situations. Here is a table comparison of Legal Services vs Legal Studies for a better understanding:
| Focus Area | Legal Services | Legal Studies |
| Main Purpose | Prepares students for hands-on support roles in law offices, courts, and legal departments. | Provides a broad academic understanding of law, legal systems, and theory. |
| Nature of Study | Practical, skill-based training | Theoretical, research-oriented learning. |
| Key Skills Learned | Legal document preparation, case file management, legal research, and client communication. | Legal analysis, policy understanding, historical/legal theory research, and academic writing. |
| Degree Examples | Associate Degree in Legal Services, Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Services. | Bachelor’s in Legal Studies, Pre-Law programs. |
Cheapest Online Legal Services Degree Programs
The following are some of the cheapest legal services degree programs you can check out:
Northeastern State University
Northeastern State University’s Legal Studies Program strives to provide high-quality teaching, scholarship, community service, and development. Their educational programs offer a diversified background in various disciplines that are necessary for success in the fields of criminal justice or civil law. Their program combines practical training with legal theory, equipping students for careers in law firms, courts at all levels, corporations, financial institutions, educational organizations, business associations, and a variety of government agencies.”
- Degree Name: Online Bachelor’s in Legal Studies
- Cost: $32,160 in-state,
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
Bellevue University
The Bellevue University campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, offers in-person programs. As part of the law program, students will take foundational and advanced courses. Students will be taught how to think critically and reason logically, as well as from a legal, ethical, and logical standpoint, in order to provide them with a solid understanding of the law and legal system. In addition, you will be taught by an experienced faculty with real-world experience. For the purpose of assisting learners in achieving their academic and career goals, the school offers student support services, such as academic advising. It is possible for students enrolled in an accredited institution to receive federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant.
- Degree Name: BS Legal Studies Degree
- Cost: $449 per credit
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
University of Massachusetts Global
Through the UMass Global Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, students acquire critical thinking, analytical, and research skills that prepare them for careers in law, business, and public administration. Choose from a general professional or paralegal concentration for your degree and study topics like intellectual property, arbitrage, constitutional governance, and Supreme Court decisions Instructor-led classes are offered over eight weeks a year with multiple start dates to maximize flexibility.
- Degree Name: BA in Legal Studies
- Cost: $60,000 per year
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
University of Maryland Global Campus
The online legal studies program at UMGC is designed to meet the needs of working professionals. By completing this 120-credit program, you will gain an in-depth understanding of legal theory, legislation, and modern legal practices. Through coursework, students will gain an understanding of case law applications, litigating processes, and research and writing. As a result of this program, you will be able to gain the knowledge and abilities necessary for success in a variety of law-related environments. Furthermore, the program is designed to help you prepare for a law school education.
- Degree Name: BS in Legal Studies
- Cost: $7,200 in-state and $11,976 out of state
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Online degrees in Legal Studies are SUNY Canton’s most popular programs. The course covers legal research and writing as well as other law subjects such as Civil Litigation, Constitutional Law, Criminal Practice, Family Law, Negligence and Intentional Torts, Real Property Law, and Wills, Trusts, and Estates. As part of this program, students have the opportunity to complete an internship, which allows them to join the real world while still in college. As a result of this exposure to the real world, students are able to start their careers and be exposed to job opportunities while still in college.
- Degree Name: BS in Legal Studies
- Cost: $7,070 in-state and $13,534 out of state
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Paralegal Degree Programs
Legal Services Education Requirements
A degree in legal services is a good choice in case you want to work in this field but not as a lawyer. The education requirements vary depending on the kind of job you desire but the following are the major paths:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
To enroll in an associate degree in legal services or legal studies, most institutions require applicants to have a high school diploma or GED. As an example, the Associate in Legal Support & Services offered by Purdue Global requires the applicants to possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Associate degree programs usually need official transcripts of your high school or equivalent documents.
- Associate Degree in Legal Services
An associate degree can be completed in two years. It qualifies students to work as legal assistants, court clerks, or administrative support in law offices. Courses include legal research, writing, case management, and ethics. For example, St. Johns University has a 60-credit-hour program, and the required courses are: Introduction to Legal Studies, Legal Research & Writing I & II, Litigation Practice (Civil,) and Legal Ethics.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Services
A bachelor’s degree is a four year program. Provides more in-depth expertise in such fields as civil and criminal law, contracts, business law, and legal technology. Graduates can become eligible to work as paralegals, compliance specialists, or supervisors in legal departments.
Purdue University Global’ s Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services program is an example of a program that requires 180 quarter credit hours. The coursework includes such courses as: Legal research & writing, American justice system, Legal ethics, Legal philosophy, and Various legal disciplines.
What Do You Do With a Legal Services Degree?
Earning a degree in legal services, whether an associate or a bachelor degree, can lead to a variety of legal and related career opportunities:
- Paralegal / Legal Assistant Roles
As a Paralegal, you can support lawyers in researching the law, writing, preparing case files, and helping attorneys in the court or in-office work. This is a central role of legal services graduates.
Experienced paralegals may become Senior Paralegal, Paralegal Manager, Law Office Manager, Legal Consultant or even law professors
- Specialized Legal and Corporate Roles
Compliance Officer: A lot of graduates move into compliance jobs in fields such as banking, insurance, and healthcare, where they make sure that organizations are in compliance with laws and regulations.
Contract Manager / Administrator: Graduates of legal services with drafting and negotiation skills can manage contracts within the business environment.
Human Resources Specialist: Your legal background will be useful in HR, where you can assist in policy formulation, labor law compliance, and dispute resolution at the workplace
- Public Sector & Government Careers
Court Clerk: Court clerks perform administrative duties in the court system, including filing documents, scheduling hearings, and keeping records.
Legislative Assistant / Policy Analyst: Help legislators and agencies by conducting legal research, drafting legislation, and evaluating policy and legislation.
- Law Enforcement & Related Roles
Police Officer / Law Enforcement: The legal background can be used to prepare you to work in law enforcement by increasing your knowledge of civil rights, criminal procedures, and court procedures.
Probation Officer: You can assist the courts with your knowledge of the legal system and social services to help supervise and rehabilitate offenders.
- Real Estate & Claims
Real Estate Agent: The legal services degrees will put you in an upper hand when it comes to negotiating contracts, zoning laws and closing real estate deals.
Claims Adjuster: Your knowledge of torts and contracts is useful in assessing insurance claims, negotiating settlements, and complex assessments.
Paralegal Salaries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data), the median annual wage of paralegals and legal assistants is $61,010 while the bottom 10 percent made less than $39,710, and the top 10 percent made more than $98,990.
By industry:
- Federal government (not including postal service): $77,940
- Finance and insurance: $76,960
- Local government (excluding education/hospitals):$ 60,990
- Legal services: $59,800
- State government (not including education/hospitals): $56,280
Conclusion
Legal services and legal studies are related to law but are concerned with different things. Legal services refer to the practical work of assisting lawyers, clients, and organizations with legal issues, whereas legal studies refer to the study of the law as a system and a subject of study. The choice between them depends on your career goals. A degree in legal services is the right choice in case you want to work in a legal setting but do not want to attend law school. Legal studies are more appropriate when you want a wider knowledge of the law and you may want to become a lawyer in future.
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