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Admission to the major is open to all. The introductory course, LEGAL 250, cannot be taken until sophomore year, so freshmen should concentrate on their General Education and Global Education requirements. Since Legal Studies is part of the New England Regional Student Program (NERSP), students from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine with Legal Studies as their primary major may be eligible for a tuition reduction. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office. Eligibility is limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Note: a cumulative average of 2.000, both within the major, and overall, is required for graduation. Legal Studies requires its majors to complete a minimum of 33 credits, as described below. None of these courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.

Requirements
1. 250 Introduction to Legal Studies
2. Seven courses drawn from the 200-400 levels (excluding 250, 296, 298, 396, 450, 496, 498-499)
For course descriptions and times of offering, visit SPIRE on the university’s homepage or contact the department. For general information on course offerings, see under “The Courses.”
3. 450 Legal Research and Writing (Junior Year Writing requirement)
4. Two liberal arts law-related courses outside the department selected from a list prepared by the department and available on its website.
Minimum: 33 credits.

Honors Work
Legal Studies encourages students in the major to consider honors courses and other honors work. Virtually all Legal Studies faculty are open to being approached by students wishing to establish Honors colloquia or Independent Studies, or to create honors thesis or project committees. For additional information, contact the Departmental Honors Director, Leah Wing, tel. (413) 545-5882 or email: lwing@legal.umass.edu.

Independent Study Opportunities
Legal Studies offers Independent Study opportunities to graduate as well as undergraduate students through LEGAL 296, 396, 496, 596, 696 and 796. A faculty sponsor is required, and the credit does not fulfill any Legal Studies requirements.

Internships
Legal Studies encourages students to pursue internships that will bridge the gap between the theory and practice of law. Students are required to work under the supervision of an attorney on matters that have a public interest component. Internship opportunities are posted on a bulletin board opposite Room 232 in Thompson Hall. For more information contact Judith Holmes, jholmes@legal.umass.edu or tel. (413) 545-2305.

Five College Legal Studies
Legal Studies is allied with law and law-related faculty in the four area colleges. Students at one school may take courses at any of the other schools. A listing of law-related courses in the Five Colleges is available in the department’s main office, 218 Thompson.