Essential Information
Opportunities to study international law at the undergraduate level are available through a legal studies or an interdisciplinary law bachelor's degree program. Students may pursue the international arena by taking core courses on legal system structure and elective classes to specialize. They might also be able to pursue study abroad opportunities through an international law track.
A high school diploma is generally all that's required to enter a legal studies bachelor's degree program; however, some colleges and universities ask that applicants complete foreign language courses in either high school or college. Once enrolled, students will need to complete a capstone course and/or internship, along with required coursework.
Bachelor's Degree Programs in Legal Studies or Interdisciplinary Law
In addition to general education courses in the sciences and humanities, these bachelor's degree programs include core study of legal studies courses along with electives in an area of interest.
Topics of study can include:
- Legal writing and research
- Criminal procedure
- International law
- Global economics
- Legal theory
Popular Career Options
Graduates of legal studies bachelor's degree programs who are interested in becoming attorneys can apply for admission to law school. Students interested in entering the career field immediately after earning their bachelor's degree can consider positions such as:
- Legal assistant
- Paralegal
- Mediator
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that lawyers could expect 4% employment growth between 2019-2029. The earned a median annual salary of $126,930, as of May 2020.
Continuing Education and Certification Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), some states require mediators working in public settings to complete a series of approved training courses. And while certification or licensure is not required for paralegals or legal assistants, earning voluntary credentials from such organizations as the National Federation of Paralegal Associations or NALS, the Association for Legal Professionals could give them an edge in the job field.
Students interested in becoming lawyers will need to continue their education and earn a Juris Doctor (JD) from a school approved by the American Bar Association. The completion of one of these training programs is a prerequisite for licensure, along with passing scores on a state bar exam.
Law school graduates interested in taking their education even further can opt to pursue a Master of Laws (LLM). Specializations in international law are common in these post-professional degree programs. Joint JD/LLM programs in international law are also available.
Students who are interested in international law and want to become a legal assistant, paralegal, mediator, or go on to earn a JD/LLM, may want to pursue elective classes. A bachelor's degree in legal studies or an interdisciplinary law is also an option.
