Law in Liberal Arts

About the Major

The law in liberal arts major is designed to prepare you for a career as a paralegal in the legal profession. The major aims to provide you with practical legal skills as well as a background in legal concepts so that graduates will immediately be able to obtain jobs in this rapidly expanding profession. This program prepares you specifically for paralegal positions, but will also provide foundational knowledge of law. Paralegals are typically employed in law firms and are also eligible for careers in government, business, and nonprofit organizations.

Skills and abilities this major develops include: critical thinking, communicating effectively in a legal environment, and understanding legal principles (IU School of Liberal Arts, 2019).

Engaged Learning Experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Service Learning

We believe strongly in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. If you want to make a difference, too, you have a home here.

Career Services

The Office of Career Development prepares, supports, and advises students each step of their career path--like finding internships and building your resume. They serve undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni and recent graduates.

Study Abroad

Choose among programs in 50+ countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are available

Opportunities After Graduation

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2018), employment for both lawyers and paralegals is expected to grow as fast as average at a rate of 5–8% for 2016–2026; employment for court clerks is also expected to grow at an average pace. Law in liberal arts majors from IUPUI have many other opportunities, including the field of human resources, which is expected to grow at an average pace.

The average starting salary for IU School of Liberal Arts graduates from IUPUI was $38,937, with a median salary was $36,350, for the May 2019 graduating cohort. The median starting salary for liberal arts graduates was $50,000 for the class of May 2019, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE, 2019). The median salary for paralegals in Indiana as of May 2019 was $48,280 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2020).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Law in liberal arts majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas: business, law, social work, political science, education, counseling, medicine, and public affairs.

Major Possibilities

Sample Coursework

Introduction to law
Legal research and writing for paralegals
Litigation for paralegals
Technology and the law
American legal history
Family law for paralegals
Advanced legal writing

Possible Careers

Claims adjuster
Hearing officer*
Lawyer*
Lobbyist
Paralegal
Project coordinator
Social worker*

*These careers require additional education or training.

Where could I work?

Anthem
Eli Lilly and Company
Law firms
Legal services
Liberty Mutual Insurance
State of Indiana

Complementing Interests

CConventional

IInvestigative

EEnterprising

Get your interest code

Where to Get More Information

IU School of Liberal Arts

American Bar Association

National Federation of Paralegals

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

Learn about other clusters

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