Two Paths to a Legal Career — Including a Fast Track to Law School
The demand for people who understand the law is growing — in healthcare, business, entertainment, government, nonprofits and beyond. Belmont’s Legal Studies major gives you two ways to get there, and a real head start if law school is the goal. Three reasons students choose it:
- You can finish law school a year early. The 3+3 pathway lets you complete your first year of law school at Belmont’s College of Law during your fourth undergraduate year — earning your bachelor’s and Juris Doctor in six years instead of seven, and saving a year of tuition.*
- Or you can take the traditional path. The four-year BA or BS, often with a minor, prepares you for law school on your own timeline or for law-related careers and graduate study.
- You learn in small classes from interdisciplinary faculty. You’ll draw on expertise across departments, with electives that fit Nashville — from entertainment and music-industry contract law to copyright and international law. The Class of 2025 reached a 100% first-destination rate.
*Law school is not guaranteed through the 3+3 pathway. Students must still apply and be accepted to Belmont's Law School at the beginning of their junior year in order to continue in the program.
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Get Real Experience in a Legal and Entertainment Hub
Nashville puts the legal world within reach. You can intern with law offices, government agencies and community organizations across the city, and Belmont’s location connects legal studies to Music City’s entertainment and business scene — one reason electives include music-industry contract law and copyright law. Recent graduates have landed with employers such as the Tennessee Bar Association and Nashville law firms.
Alumni Testimonials
Erin Grimm
“I was very happy with the 3+3 program and the way it set me up to be successful in law school. I felt confident starting law school knowing that I already had some exposure to the material we were going to learn the first year. Saving a full year of school and tuition was also a huge bonus.”
Kaylee Alyssa Flores
Legal Studies Major
“I had never been to a business conference, especially an international one. Belmont really prepared me to fully experience this trip and use everything I've been learning. If it hadn't been for Belmont, I would have never gotten this opportunity and a million other opportunities I've been given at the University.”
Nardien Sadik
Legal Studies, Global Honors
“The Honors Program exposed me to a group of people that wanted me to succeed. It gave me the support as a first-generation student to truly explore what I'm passionate about.”
What You'll Learn
You'll build the legal knowledge and the reasoning skills that law school and legal careers demand. Across the major, you'll:
- Study the judicial system, dispute resolution, constitutional law, torts, criminal law, property and contracts.
- Sharpen argumentation — analyzing evidence, reasoning, and constructing and refuting claims.
- Explore entrepreneurship in the legal industry, from solo practice to innovation.
- Examine the philosophical foundations of law and broad themes in social and political philosophy.
- Work through real-world ethical issues using case studies.
Program Details
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll have a wealth of opportunities to explore law-related opportunities, make connections and discover your purpose.
- Explore the World: Study global conflict transformation at Queen’s University Belfast or pursue other study abroad opportunities or international internships. You can also obtain law-related internships and more through Belmont USA study away programs in NYC, LA and Washington D.C.
- Gain hands-on experience: Pursue an internship through our many Nashville opportunities! Our students have interned in the Metro Nashville Mayor’s Office - Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement, Nashville Public Defenders Office and for a wide array of attorneys specializing in various areas of the law.
- Join a Student Organization: Choose from 180+ student organizations, including Belmont’s outstanding Speech and Debate Team and ones focused on various aspects of a career in law like Pre Law Society, AMTA Mock Trial, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, International Justice Mission, Enactus and more.
The 3+3 lets qualified legal studies students begin Belmont’s College of Law in their fourth undergraduate year, earning a bachelor’s and Juris Doctor in six years instead of seven.
The College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Class of 2025 reached a 100% first-destination rate. Legal studies graduates go on to law school and to law-related careers across business, government, healthcare and nonprofits. You’ll have full access to the Office of Career & Professional Development, internships and pre-law advising.
Career Possibilities
A legal studies degree at Belmont sets you up for many career possibilities in law. Students wanting to become a lawyer will need further education to earn a Juris Doctor, a postgraduate degree that typically takes 3 years.
Lawyers work in a vast array of industries, including:
- Federal, state, and local governments as prosecutors or public defense attorneys
- Government counsels for administrative bodies and executive or legislative branches of government
- Corporate counsels
- Public-interest lawyers
- Entertainment lawyers
- Environmental lawyers
- Immigration lawyers
- Tax lawyers
- Intellectual property lawyers
- Family lawyers
- Securities lawyers
For some, this is an ideal major if you want to pursue a career in law-related fields for which a legal education is helpful but does not require law school. Examples include:
- Paralegal/Legal Assistant
- Human Rights Advocate
- Insurance Claims Adjuster
- Legislative Assistant/Congressional Staffer
- Human Resources/Compliance Officer
- Law Enforcement/Courts
- Political Advisor
- Real Estate
- Court Reporter
- Mediator
- Probation Officer
Learn from Expert Faculty
You’ll learn from interdisciplinary faculty who bring expertise and resources from across Belmont, in small classes built around mentoring. The program also connects students with legal leaders — for example, the NFL’s top lawyer has spoken with Belmont students.
Email: nathan.litwin@belmont.edu
Office Location: Ayers 2071
FAQ
It’s a program that gives you a strong foundation in law, legal systems and public policy while building critical-thinking, communication and analytical skills. It’s designed both for students headed to law school and for those pursuing law-related careers in business, government, healthcare and nonprofits.
The traditional Legal Studies BA or BS is a four-year degree, often with a minor. The 3+3 pathway accelerates entry into Belmont’s College of Law, letting you earn your bachelor’s and Juris Doctor in six years instead of the usual seven.
You’ll study constitutional law, criminal law, contracts, torts, property law and dispute resolution, with an emphasis on argumentation, evidence-based reasoning, ethics and the philosophy of law. Electives let you explore areas such as entertainment, international, copyright and social justice law.
Some graduates continue to law school and become attorneys; others enter law-related roles such as paralegal, legislative assistant, compliance officer, mediator, court reporter or probation officer. The degree is also valuable in business, government and nonprofit leadership.
You can intern with Nashville law offices, government agencies and community organizations; study abroad in Belfast, Chicago, Washington, New York or Los Angeles; and join organizations like the Pre-Law Society, AMTA Mock Trial, the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature and International Justice Mission.
Contact Us
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Sophie Chua
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.8335
Plan Your Visit
There's no better way to experience Belmont than by visiting campus. Whether you attend an admissions event, take a student-led campus tour or explore Nashville while you're here, a visit helps you picture yourself as part of the Belmont community.