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 |
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Level 2 |
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Level 3 |
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Level 4 |
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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 |
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Expanded Learning Opportunities |
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Aligned Industry-Based Certifications
Example Postsecondary Opportunities
Apprenticeships
Associate Degrees
Bachelor’s Degrees
Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees
Additional Stackable IBCs/Licensures
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.
For more information visit: https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/programs-of-study-additional-resources
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 | Career Clusters |
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 | Career Clusters |
Business Law 13011700 (1 credit) | | Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None Recommended Prerequisites: None Recommended Corequisites: None | |
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 | |
Level 3
Course | | Prerequisites | Corequisites | Career Clusters |
Legal Research and Writing N1303014 (1 credit) | | Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Recommended Prerequisites: Court Systems and Practices Recommended Corequisites: None | |
Advanced Legal Skills and Professions N1303016 (1 credit) | | Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Recommended Prerequisites: Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security, Court Systems and Practices, Business Law, Debate I, or Political Science I Recommended Corequisites: None | |
Continued on next page | | | |
* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.
For additional information on the Law and Public Service career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte
[LEA name] 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: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.
Legal Studies
Statewide Program of Study: Legal Studies — Page 4
Law and Public Service Career Cluster
Statewide Program of Study: Legal Studies
Course Information
Level 4
Course | | Prerequisites | Corequisites | Career Clusters |
Forensic Science* 13029500 (1 credit) | | Prerequisites: One credit in Biology, one credit in Chemistry, Integrated Chemistry and Physics (IPC), or Physics�Corequisites: None Recommended Prerequisites: None Recommended Corequisites: None | |
Career Preparation for Programs of Study* First Time Taken: 12701121 (2 credits) | | Prerequisites: At least one Level 2 or higher CTE course�Corequisites: None Recommended Prerequisites: None Recommended Corequisites: None | |
Career Preparation for Programs of Study + Extended Career Preparation* First Time Taken: 12701141 (3 credits) | | Prerequisites: At least one Level 2 or higher CTE course Corequisites: None Recommended Prerequisites: None Recommended Corequisites: None | |
* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.
For additional information on the Law and Public Service career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte
[LEA name] 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: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.
Legal Studies