Government & Legal Studies

Gain an Understanding of Legal and Government Studies

The legal domain shares a common set of interdisciplinary themes that apply to law school, paralegal roles and the practice of law. Integrating public service and policy from historical and contemporary perspectives can help you establish knowledge that can be drawn upon to help you succeed in future legal pursuits.

Bachelor of Arts in Government & Legal Studies

Degree Outcomes

As a student in this bachelor's in legal studies program, you explore.

Constitutional studies explore federalism, the doctrine of separation of powers and more.

Public policy creation in the federal government.

An overview of civil and criminal law.

A review of the elements needed to maintain a successful law practice.

Government institutions, political themes, nature of governance, democracy and patterns of political behavior.

With a focus on law school concepts and the legal database research and writing skills that exceed the scope of a two-year paralegal program, our legal studies degree offers the analytical techniques needed to negotiate and resolve legal concerns. It introduces the topics of legal philosophy and the foundations of the law. With an overview of morality about law and ethics, the program examines contemporary topics, such as capital punishment and the legalization of drugs.

With the classics and the more contemporary expressions of political thought, the core of the government degree surveys the development of the Canadian Constitution from its colonial origins to the present day. In the broader framework of political philosophy, the program examines constitutional law and the impact Supreme Court decisions have had on society.

Career Outcomes

The BA in Government with an Emphasis in Legal Studies degree program provides the analytical tools needed within the fields of both criminal and civil law. Graduates may be prepared for employment within a legal environment as a paralegal or in an administrative role. The liberal arts skills that you can gain during this degree program can prepare you for jobs that require analytical thought and effective communication, such as sales and service positions. This degree can also help you prepare to enter law school.

The bachelor's in legal studies can help potential law school students by providing an education focused on legal and governmental issues that touch on essential information. At the core of an effective pre-law program are three areas of focus.

Sound reasoning and legal analysis.

Practical legal research and writing.

Soft skills of communication to gather and relay information.

An exposure to coursework that focuses on contemporary legal subjects may provide you with a significant edge, alongside examining interdisciplinary matters that can be valuable to advance legal education.

The programs offered at FordBridge may vary by content and course length. For information about specific course content, credit length and VA approval in your state, please contact a counselor.

General Education coursework prepares FordBridge graduates to think critically, communicate clearly, live responsibly in a diverse world, and thoughtfully integrate their faith and ethical convictions into all dimensions of life. These competencies, essential to an effective and satisfying life, are outlined in the General Education Learner Outcomes. General Education courses embody the breadth of human understanding and creativity contained in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Students take an array of foundational knowledge courses that promote expanded knowledge, insight, and the outcomes identified in the University's General Education Competencies. The knowledge and skills students acquire through these courses serve as a foundation for successful careers and lifelong journeys of growing understanding and wisdom.

Competency: University Foundations Total Credits: 4.

Competency: Effective Communication Total Credits: 13-16.

Competency: Business Worldview Total Credits: 4.

Competency: Critical Thinking Total Credits: 3-4.

Competency: Global Awareness, Perspective, and Ethics Total Credits: 10-12.

GOV-140: Canadian Government and Politics Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-210: Introduction to Comparative Government and International Politics Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-378: Canadian Constitution Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-357: Philosophy of Law Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-358: Research Methods in Government and Politics Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-364: Public Policy Analysis Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-307: Introduction to Political Theory Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-360: Civil Law Total Credits: 4 credits.

JUS-430: Criminal Law Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-455: Practice of Law Total Credits: 4 credits.

GOV-459: Government Capstone Total Credits: 4 credits.