Build a career in the legal field, lay the foundation for future studies in law, and participate in informed civic activities. The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a variety of resources to help you earn your degree and plan for the future.
LEGAL STUDIES
COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL FOUNDATIONS FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.
Our mission is to prepare sophisticated legal professionals who possess the technical mastery to excel in practice and the intellectual depth to understand the law's role in society. We bridge the gap between procedural expertise
Catalog: AAS in Paralegal Studies
Catalog: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Catalog: Minor in Legal Studies
Per program approval by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Paralegals, students are required to take at least nine credits of legal specialty courses through in person or synchronous instruction. Satisfaction of this requirement is built into the course offering plan. A maximum of nine (9) credit hours of Legal Specialty coursework taken within the past five (5) years may be transferred into the program from another ABA-approved paralegal education program upon approval by the Legal Studies Program Coordinator. Credit for which transfer is sought must be substantially similar to an existing UAA Legal Studies course.
WHY CHOOSE LEGAL STUDIES AT UAA?
UAA has three law school partnerships to provide qualified UAA students the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree and law degree on an accelerated schedule.
The Legal Studies program offers multiple degree options for students at different stages in their education and online pathways for all degrees.
Assignments in many Legal Studies courses resemble tasks in actual legal practice, from writing legal pleadings to learning how to argue in court. You also will complete a semester-long internship for credit.
Get involved with groups and activities that match your professional and personal interests, such as the Society of Law & Justice or Alpha Phi Sigma.
NEWS & Stories
For a group of University of Alaska Anchorage nursing and social work students, a journey to the mountains of rural Peru wasn't about providing healthcare; it was about learning from communities that face many of the same challenges as rural Alaska.
For Pamela Thomas, health begins with connection--connection to family, community, culture, land, and the systems that shape our everyday life.
Dacia Davis, a clinical assistant professor in the School of Social Work and a graduate of UAA's MSW program, finds inspiration in teaching and community.
MiLee Yu is a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. In September 2025, MiLee was awarded the BSW Student of the Year award at the Biennial National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Alaska Chapter Conference.
MSW student Keyshon China is dedicated to serving youth and underserved communities, gaining hands-on experience through UAA's School of Social Work and various extracurricular organizations.
Message from the PROGRAM CHAIR
Welcome to Legal Studies, where our faculty of practicing Alaska lawyers love what they do and want to share it with you. In addition to a popular (and useful) Introduction to Law course, we offer open electives with modest prerequisites for students who are exploring law and the legal field; coruses like Criminal Law: Murder, Robbery, and Other Crimes, or Law, History and Social Change. If you are interested in working in the legal field without going to law school, we offer a range of American Bar Association accredited programs preparing you for direct employment and eligibility to take national certification exams. And, if you are interested in law school, we're here to help by providing solid academic preparation and guidance about applying. Whatever your interest in law, contact us; we'll fill you in on what we and our field can offer.
-Kris Knudsen, J.D., M.J.S.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Contact Us:
Phone: (907) 786-1810
Email: uaa_justicecenter@alaska.edu
UAA Justice Center
UAA Professional Studies Building
2533 Providence Dr., Suite 234
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
Mailing Address:
UAA Justice Center
3211 Providence Dr., PSB 234
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
