Legal Studies Major

View course descriptions and suggested course sequence.

The Legal Studies Major provides a broad liberal arts background upon which a cadet at the Academy may build expertise in the study of law and its role and function in both American society and the international community. Increasingly, complex legal considerations permeate every aspect of modern life in both the civilian and military environments. Cadets who choose the Legal Studies Major will be able to develop the analytical skills that will permit them to identify, understand and resolve the complex legal issues that they will likely encounter after graduation. The Legal Studies Major is not a "pre-law" major, but is designed to provide cadets an enhanced knowledge of the law as part of a broadly focused education.

The Department of Law and the Legal Studies major fall within the Social Sciences Division. Cadets who elect to major in Legal Studies must complete fourteen courses in addition to the required academic core; five of these fourteen must be upper level courses offered by the Depart of Law.  In addition to courses taught by the Department of Law, a major has discretion in taking courses offered by the Departments of Economics and Geosciences, English and Fine Arts, Foreign Language, History, Management, Military Strategic Studies, Philosophy and Political Science. This program of study is designed to expose the student to a broad range of issues within the discipline of law. It provides a broad liberal arts background, upon which an Air Force officer may build specialized expertise in an area of increasing relevance and importance.