Rollins College

What you'll study

The Non-Professional Legal Studies major provides a foundation in legal doctrine, legal reasoning and the institutions that create and apply law, combined with liberal-arts perspectives. The curriculum typically includes core courses such as Introduction to Law and Legal Systems, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Contracts, Torts, and Legal Research & Writing. Students also study complementary subjects like Administrative Law, Business Law, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Ethics in the Legal Profession and courses examining law in social context (for example, law and public policy, comparative law, human rights or family law).

Programme structure emphasises analytical skills and practical training: students usually complete a mix of required core modules, elective options, and a capstone experience. Capstone options often include a seminar on contemporary legal issues, an applied legal research project, or supervised internships with law firms, courts, government agencies, non‑profits or corporate legal departments. Seminars and skills workshops focus on legal research, persuasive writing, oral advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution methods.

As a liberal arts degree, the programme encourages interdisciplinary study. Many students combine the legal studies major with minors or courses in political science, business, criminal justice, sociology, economics or communications to broaden career flexibility and contextual understanding.

Entry requirements

Admission to Rollins College follows the institution's undergraduate admissions process. Typical requirements for prospective majors include a completed secondary‑school qualification or equivalent, a college application form, academic transcripts showing strong performance across a broad college‑preparatory curriculum, and a personal statement or essay that demonstrates interest in legal and civic issues. Letters of recommendation are often requested and can strengthen an application.

International applicants are expected to provide evidence of secondary education equivalent to U.S. high‑school completion and, where English is not a first language, acceptable scores on an approved English‑language test or other proof of English proficiency. Transfer applicants should submit college transcripts; previous coursework in introductory law, government or writing can be advantageous when seeking admission to the major.

Career prospects

Graduates with a Non‑Professional Legal Studies degree pursue a wide range of careers that use analytical, research and communication skills. Common entry‑level roles include paralegal or legal assistant positions, compliance analyst, court administration, case management for social‑service organisations, mediation services, regulatory affairs, and roles in human resources or contract administration.

The degree also prepares students for careers in public policy, advocacy, non‑profit management, business and government. Many graduates go on to further study—such as graduate programmes in law (Juris Doctor), public administration, social work, business or public policy—or pursue professional certifications relevant to their chosen sector. The emphasis on writing, critical thinking and ethical reasoning is attractive to employers across sectors.

Why study at Rollins College

Rollins College offers a small, student‑centred liberal‑arts environment with close faculty mentoring and small class sizes that support active discussion and skills development. The campus's location provides access to a broad metropolitan region with courts, law offices, government agencies and non‑profit organisations where students can find internships and experiential learning opportunities.

Students benefit from Rollins' emphasis on undergraduate research and experiential education—opportunities to undertake supervised legal research projects, internships, and community‑engaged work that connect classroom learning to real‑world practice. Advising and career services help students map academic choices to career pathways or postgraduate study in law and related professions.

Overall, the Non‑Professional Legal Studies major at Rollins is well suited to students seeking to understand law in context, develop practical legal skills, and pursue diverse careers that require strong analysis, research and communication abilities.