Legal Studies (M.A.)
M.A. Legal Studies
Program Overview
Texas State’s Master of Arts (M.A.) in Legal Studies was the first degree of its kind in Texas and one of only a few in the United States, providing students interested in law at the graduate level with an understanding of the American legal system, theories, analysis, research and writing.
Course Work
The non-thesis, 36-credit-hour program consists of 27 hours of required core courses and nine hours of electives. The core curriculum, which includes a cumulative research project and internship, provides training in essential paralegal skills, such as legal research, legal writing, rules of procedure, case management, law office technology and legal ethics. Elective course work covers substantive areas of the law. Students may choose three different areas of law for further study from elective course offerings covering as many as ten different areas of the law, including family law, criminal law, intellectual property, real estate, contract law and many others. Through choice of electives, students may also earn a mediation certificate issued by the department.
| Degree | Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|
Degree M.A. | Hours 36 | Location San Marcos |
Program Details
The Master of Arts in Legal Studies is the only graduate degree paralegal program in Texas and one of a select few nationally that are approved by the American Bar Association.
Program Mission
The legal studies program’s mission is to provide students with the opportunity to study law at the graduate level and receive practical paralegal training in state-of-the-art facilities. The program accomplishes its mission through the work of a talented faculty and staff who are dedicated to the success of each student.
Career Options
Graduates can pursue career opportunities in law, government or business, enhance career mobility in law-related fields and establish groundwork for further graduate work in law or related fields. The majority of program graduates work as paralegals in law firms. Others work as paralegals or in other law-related capacities in government and corporate offices or continue graduate study in law school or in a Ph.D. program.
Program Faculty
All of the program’s faculty, including both full-time and part-time members, have substantial experience practicing law and working with paralegals. Faculty members have published books such as The Texas Paralegal, Texas Real Estate Contracts, and The Paralegal Handbook, as well as numerous law review and journal articles in the areas of environmental law, intellectual property, real estate, contract law, and alternative dispute resolution.
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
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Application Deadlines
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For Entry Prior to Summer 2026
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard June 15 (*Flexible) June 1 Spring October 15 (*Flexible) October 1 Summer I April 15 (*Flexible) March 15 Summer II No Admission No Admission *This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Effective for Summer 2026 Entry and Beyond
DEADLINES U.S. CITIZEN INTERNATIONAL Fall - Priority February 1 February 1 Fall - Standard August 1 June 1 Spring - Priority September 1 September 1 Spring - Standard November 1 October 1 Summer I - Priority January 1 January 1 Summer I - Standard May 1 March 15 Summer II No Admission No Admission
For important information regarding deadlines and decision timelines, review the Application Policy Information page.
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $75 nonrefundable application fees ($55 master's application fee + $20 TXST certificate fee), OR
- $110 nonrefundable application fees ($90 master's application fee + $20 TXST certificate fee) for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
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Transcripts & GPA
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- A copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted.
- A 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses). Admission may be available for applicants who do not meet this requirement. See the Conditional Admission section below for details.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents
- interview with the legal studies graduate advisor
Review important information about documents.
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Conditional Admission
If your overall GPA or your last-60-hours GPA falls between 2.5 and 3.0, you must also submit the following items in order to be considered for conditional admission*:
- personal statement explaining any special circumstances which would otherwise qualify you for admission to the program
- two letters of recommendation from persons who could comment upon your ability to perform in the requested area of study
*Conditional admission is not available to applicants who require "F" or "J" visas.