Introduction to the Major
Legal Studies is an interdisciplinary, liberal arts major in the College of Letters and Science and is under the academic supervision of Berkeley Law. The major provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to become familiar with legal ideas, legal institutions, and the legal process. It is designed to provide tools for reasoned appraisal of how the law works and of the policies that underlie it. The major is based firmly on the view that the study of law and justice has a rich humanistic tradition and that its pursuit can encourage sustained reflection on fundamental values.
The LS Curriculum
Legal Studies courses deal with a wide variety of subjects, including philosophy of law, American legal history, non-western legal traditions, politics and law, the criminal justice process, property law, and economic regulation. Courses are taught by faculty with backgrounds in the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as Law.
The Legal Studies curriculum includes four lower division prerequisite courses, along with four upper division core legal studies courses and four upper division Distribution Requirements within these areas: Crime, Law, & Social Control; Law & Culture; Law & Markets; Law, Rights & Social Change, and Law & Sovereignty.
Amplify Your Major
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Join a student organization such as Berkeley Legal Studies Association.
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Get involved with the ASUC Renters’ Legal Assistance or ASUC Student Legal Clinic.
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Apply for a law-related URAP research position such as the Human Rights Center Investigations Program.
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Spend a semester or summer in Washington through UCDC.
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Apply for the Legal Studies Honors Program and present at the Undergraduate Legal Studies Research Conference.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Familiarize yourself with major and college requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course such as LS 98: Entertainment Law.
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Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
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Check out the California Legal Studies Journal published by students in the major.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail.
- Explore career fields through the Career Connections Series or Cal Job Shadow Program.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Complete lower division prerequisites and declare the major.
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Think about which upper division electives align with your interests.
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Review major guidelines for study abroad.
- Consider adding a minor in Public Policy, Human Rights, or Race and the Law.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a student organization such as the Berkeley Legal Studies Association.
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Sign up for the Legal Studies email list and start attending department events.
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Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Continue with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
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Learn about research opportunities for Legal Studies majors.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
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Work in one of two legal clinics on campus: ASUC Renters’ Legal Assistance or ASUC Student Legal Clinic.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Learn about graduate and professional school including law school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisors.
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Focus on upper division requirements and electives.
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Expand your studies with law-related courses from other departments and law courses abroad.
- Ask your major advisor about the Legal Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
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Pre law? Check out organizations such as Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity.
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Consider becoming a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
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Attend events at the Center for the Study of Law and Society and Berkeley Law.
Discover Your Passions
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Find research and funding opportunities in the OURS database.
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Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
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Work at the Human Rights Center’s Investigations Program.
- Apply during the summer for the Legal Studies Honors Program.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
- Apply for JusticeCorps.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors, including law-related options.
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Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs such as the Law and Graduate School Fair.
- Plan for the LSAT or other graduate school entrance exams.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a professional association related to your interests.
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Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study and present your work at the Undergraduate Legal Studies Research Conference.
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Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
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Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
- Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
The Legal Studies major equips graduates with the skills necessary to pursue post-graduate study or careers in law and government. Students have also gone on to work in various law-related fields like education, finance, public policy, law enforcement, city planning, and social welfare.
Jobs and Employers
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Admission Representative, UC Berkeley
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Business Analyst, Infosys
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Claims Processor, Brayton Purcell LLP
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College Adviser, UC Berkeley
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Consultant, Ernst and Young LLP
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Content Review Analyst, Vaco San Francisco
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Credit Analyst, City National Bank
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Legal Asst., Cornerstone Law Group
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Marketing Assoc., LG Chem
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Paralegal, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
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Police Officer, City of San Francisco
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Prof. Athlete, National Women’s Soccer
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Program Manager, Brightline Defense
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Teacher, Teach for America
Graduate Programs
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Criminal Science, Masters
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Education Administration, Masters
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Law, JD
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Law, Masters
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Management Science, Masters
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit legalstudies.berkeley.edu for the latest updates and subscribe to the LSundergrads email list by sending the Undergraduate Advisor a request email.
Advising
Students can reach the Undergraduate Advisor during drop-in hours or through email at lauri@berkeley.edu.
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday 8:30 am-12 pm, 1:30-4 pm.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
