The University of Utah is expanding its academic offerings with an interdisciplinary minor in legal studies, which will launch in Fall 2025. The program will provide undergraduates with a comprehensive understanding of the legal system, preparing them for careers in fields such as business, healthcare, social work and more.
A proposal for a complementary major is also in development, with plans for approval by 2026.
An Interdisciplinary Approach
The Legal Studies minor, approved by the Academic Senate in August, will require students to complete four core courses (12 credits) and three electives (nine credits) from three of four designated core areas. The electives will be drawn from a variety of disciplines, including business law, sociology, political science and healthcare compliance, allowing students to tailor the program to their specific career interests.
“We’ve worked closely with other academic units to ensure the minor offers a broad and comprehensive understanding of legal studies,” said Professor Randy Dryer, associate dean for non-JD programs at the College of Law. “While the required courses will be taught by the College of Law faculty, the electives will span multiple departments, giving students the flexibility to integrate legal knowledge into their academic and professional goals.”
Expanding Access to Legal Education
The interdisciplinary program stems from the College of Law’s desire to extend legal education beyond its graduate programs, which currently serve about 350 students. Dean Elizabeth Kronk Warner emphasized the importance of making legal education accessible to undergraduates across various fields of study.
“We wanted to expand our outreach and provide a legal education that is accessible to students in all disciplines,” Kronk Warner said. “Many students, such as those in Business or Social Work, may encounter legal concepts in their careers but don’t necessarily want to become lawyers.”
The minor aligns with a growing trend among law schools to offer undergraduate programs, according to Warner.
“Nationwide, only a handful of law schools have undergraduate legal studies programs,” she said. “This puts the University of Utah at the forefront of this innovative approach to legal education.”
Collaboration and Challenges
Developing the minor required significant collaboration across campus. According to Kronk Warner, the process involved educating colleagues about the value of undergraduate legal education while learning from their expertise in program development.
“The collaborative process was incredibly educational for us,” she said. “We had to address valid questions about the relevance of the program, especially since these types of degrees are relatively new in the undergraduate landscape.”
Looking Ahead to the Major
While the minor is the immediate focus, plans for a legal studies major are already underway. Dryer confirmed that a major is expected to launch in fall 2026 pending university approval. The Undergraduate Council plans to submit the proposal for the major in January 2025.
“The major will build on the interdisciplinary framework of the minor and provide a deeper exploration of the legal system’s role in society,” Dryer said.
Not a Pre-Law Track
Both Dryer and Kronk Warner clarified that the legal studies program is not intended as a pre-law track. While the minor could complement pre-law studies, its primary goal is to provide students with a broad understanding of legal principles applicable to a variety of careers.
“We’re not prioritizing any specific major for law school admissions,” Kronk Warner said. “Instead, we value diverse perspectives in the classroom. The legal studies program is designed to enrich students’ academic and professional profiles, whether or not they pursue a JD.”
A Vision for Education Beyond Law School
The new minor is part of a broader vision within the College of Law to serve not only future lawyers but also mid-career professionals, Dryer said.
“This is an extension of the College’s mission to provide education that benefits a wide range of professionals,” he added. “For example, we already offer a Master’s of Legal Studies program for individuals who want to advance in their careers without pursuing a JD.”
Kronk Warner echoed this sentiment, noting the broader societal benefits.
“We’re thrilled to have the chance to engage with undergraduate students and to discuss the legal system’s role in shaping society,” she said.
