Is a Legal Studies program the right fit for you?

To accommodate the evolving needs of students, the UPES School of Law has introduced a three-year B.A. in Legal Studies course.

The program is focused on those who intend to utilize their honours expertise further in specialized legal professions such as corporate compliances, marketing, policy-making, banking, consultancy, public relations, advertising, research, analytics, and even politics, through their knowledge of law. Further, this short-term program would also enable graduates to pursue multidisciplinary career opportunities

Law is fundamental in shaping the world. It provides a mechanism of regulation, modification and implementation of rules and policies. Law grows with the growth of societies and has become truly global in the 21st century. The Cambridge Dictionary describes law as “a rule, usually made by a government, that is used to order the way in which a society behaves”.

Given the intriguing nature of the field, it is no surprise that legal education is amongst the top career choices for the youth. According to the Bar Council of India, the Indian legal profession today consists of approximately 12 lakh registered advocates, around 950 law schools and approximately 4-5 lakh law students across the country. Every year, approximately 60,000 - 70,000 law graduates join the legal profession in India.

However, the path to becoming a law professional through conventional programs is long and rigorous. For students who are unsure about opting for a full-fledged career in law but are inclined towards the subject, standard law programs may not be a good fit. Hence, there was a need to have a specialized program, which would enable one to excel in the subject while opening pathways to several career options. To accommodate this evolving need of students, the UPES School of Law has introduced a three-year B.A. in Legal Studies course.

Why a Legal Studies program?

To accommodate the evolving needs of students, the UPES School of Law has introduced a three-year B.A. in Legal Studies course. The program is focused on those who intend to utilize their honours expertise further in specialized legal professions such as corporate compliances, marketing, policy-making, banking, consultancy, public relations, advertising, research, analytics, and even politics, through their knowledge of law. Further, this short-term program would also enable graduates to pursue multidisciplinary career opportunities.

Legal Studies is a program that explores how law is influenced by social, cultural and political forces and vice-versa. From the theories of justice and nature of political institutions to concerns in jurisprudence such as individual liberty, social equality, the relationship between citizens and the state, the curriculum of the program at UPES covers several aspects taught in traditional law programs but within a shorter duration.

A typical Legal Studies classroom at UPES will be full of debates and interactions with the faculty and industry experts. The pedagogy of the university is such that it will open students’ minds to multiple perspectives, refine their abstract thinking, polish their communication skills – both verbal and written, and help them make logical, clear arguments while considering all the legal aspects of the issue at hand.

For Dr Vinita Singh, Assistant Professor, UPES School of Law, this is a field that can turn students into an asset to society. She says, “Law inspires us. It is a journey from ignorance to reason and passion. A person equipped with legal tools can address the vices of society. The study of law would help a student become an asset for society and a support system for developing legal systems. The BA Legal Studies program at UPES has a multidisciplinary curriculum and a levelling mix of law with liberal studies. It is one of the most popular programs offered by the top global educational institutions, and now we are also offering it at UPES.”

Career opportunities after studying Legal Studies

Studying Legal Studies can make students informed and engaged citizens in a democracy and open the door to rewarding career opportunities. Graduates in Legal Studies are eligible to become paralegals and assist practicing attorneys with drafting legal documents, conducting research, organizing files, and a string of various administrative duties.

Dr Vinita Singh, Assistant Professor, UPES School of Law, says, “There are plethora of options starting from involvement in the policy making to ensuring legal compliance of corporates. field opportunities after this course include working as an independent legal professional, lucrative positions in law firms, challenging work in legal journalism, options in academics and many more.”

Legal Studies professionals can become Law Enforcement Officers and help the police force in responding to emergency calls, suspicious activity, and apprehending criminals. They can opt for a career as a court reporter, which is a cross between law and journalism. Such aspirants should have a keen ear for the proceedings, complete know-how of legal terms that lawyers and the judge use to be able to type in professional short-hand, and a flair for writing.

Such qualified law professionals can help political leaders achieve their legislative objectives efficiently and can even become policymakers or politicians themselves and serve the nation. After studying Legal Studies, students can opt for higher education as well.

Enrol in a B.A. Legal Studies program

If this aspect of the law excites you, then enrol in a B.A. Legal Studies program at UPES, which has transformed to become a ‘University of Tomorrow’.

With its multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning approach, it gives students the opportunity to explore various fields and find their talents. Find out more about the program here.

(Contributed by the brand)