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Statewide Program of Study: Legal Studies — Page 1�

Revised–June 2024

Law and Public Service Career Cluster

The Law and Public Service career cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from police officer and firefighter to political scientist and lawyer.

Statewide Program of Study: Legal Studies

The Legal Studies program of study focuses on topics such as legal research, legal writing, rules of procedure, case management, law office technology, and legal ethics. Areas of the legal system studied include aspects of family law, criminal law, and contract law.

Legal Studies

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

Level 1

  • Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Level 2

  • Court Systems and Practices

Level 4

  • Forensic Science
  • Practicum in Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
  • Career Preparation for Programs of Study

Aligned Advanced Academic Courses

Dual Credit

Dual credit offerings will vary by local education agency.

Students should be advised to consider these course opportunities to enrich their preparation. AP or IB courses not listed under the Secondary Courses for High School Credit section of this framework document do not count towards concentrator/completer status for this program of study.

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

  • Shadow a clerk in a courthouse to learn about civil litigation
  • Intern at a law firm, working alongside a paralegal to produce and organize legal documents
  • Work part-time as an administrative assistant at a local non-profit that provides legal aid

Expanded Learning Opportunities

  • Participate in Mock Trial

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications

  • General Management
  • Administrative Assisting

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Apprenticeships

  • Law Apprenticeship

Associate Degrees

  • Paralegal Studies
  • Court Reporting and Captioning

Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Legal Research
  • Legal Studies

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

  • Juris Doctorate
  • International and Comparative Law

Additional Stackable IBCs/Licensures

  • Paralegal

Example Aligned Occupations

Court Reporters

Median Wage: $51,177

Annual Openings: 174

10-Year Growth: 11%

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Median Wage: $56,310

Annual Openings: 4,046

10-Year Growth: 23%

Lawyers

Median Wage: $134,158

Annual Openings: 3,915

10-Year Growth: 19%

Successful completion of the Legal Studies program of study will fulfill requirements of the Public Services endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission. Retrieved 3/8/2024.

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Statewide Program of Study: Legal Studies — Page 2

Law and Public Service Career Cluster

Statewide Program of Study: Legal Studies

Course Information

Level 1

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites   

Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security*

13029200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

Level 2

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites  

Court Systems and Practices

13029600 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Law Enforcement I or Principles of Government and Public Administration

Recommended Corequisites: None

Argyle ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Dr. Dawn Jordan at dawn.jordan@argyleisd.com. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.

Legal Studies

Level 4

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Forensic Science*

13029500 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: One credit in Biology, one credit in Chemistry, Integrated Chemistry and Physics (IPC), or Physics�

Practicum in Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security*

First Time Taken:

13030100 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: Previous courses in CTE pathways

Career Preparation for Programs of Study*

First Time Taken:

12701121 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: At least one Level 2

or higher CTE course�