Bachelor of Legal Studies

Program Description

The Associate of Arts, AA at JCCC is a general transfer degree and partners well with the first two years of most bachelor degree programs. Students pursuing the AA may select courses that satisfy both the AA degree requirements and lower division requirements for a bachelor’s degree at four-year institutions. The elective hours within the AA allow students to complete additional general education and lower division courses required for specific majors. The AA degree requires completion of 60 credit hours. Meeting with a JCCC counselor is strongly recommended for selection of appropriate courses.   

The Bachelor of Legal Studies at Washburn University prepares students for successfully gaining employment in the legal profession as paralegals, legal assistants, or related positions.  The program also serves to prepare students for continuing to law school or seeking other advanced degrees. 

Faculty bring practical and academic experience to the classroom and are committed to excellence in teaching. Diversity is valued in the Legal Studies degree program, and faculty are dedicated to producing ethical graduates who are prepared to succeed in their chosen profession.

Visit the Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department for more information. 

Admission Requirements 

• Apply for admission, complete the application, including $20 application fee (non-refundable).
• Send official transcripts of all previous college work to: Washburn University, Office of Admissions, 1700 SW College, Topeka, KS 66621 or submit them electronically to Office of Admission.
• Academic good standing; minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0

Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree

• Minimum of 120 semester hours of credit
• Minimum of 60 semester hours from Washburn or a four-year college or university; at least 30 hours must be completed through Washburn
• Minimum of 45 semester hours of credit from courses at the upper division level
• Must complete 34-35 hours of General Education
• Minimum of 84 graded hours
• Grade of “C” or better in courses counting towards the university requirements, major, and minor
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0

Law Early Admission Program - Washburn has an early entry program for our students who desire to attend the Washburn School of Law. The Law Early Admission Program (LEAP) allows Washburn undergraduates to apply, and if accepted, apply courses toward the law degree to the completion of the undergraduate degree.

If accepted to LEAP, students may enter Washburn’s School of Law during what would have been their last year of undergraduate work. The program allows for the last 29 credits of undergraduate work (elective credits, or those designated by their program) to be satisfied by the successful completion of the first year of law school (or 29 credits). LEAP was primarily designed for incoming freshmen as it requires careful consultation with an advisor to make the credits work out right. However, theoretically, any enrolled Washburn student may apply for entry into LEAP if they can make the credit requirements. For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Memmer or call 785-670-1478. 

LEAP Admission Requirements

• a high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale; or
• an ACT score in the top quartile (28 or higher); or
• a GPA of 3.0 for current Washburn or transfer students with at least 15 or more undergraduate credit hours; and
• an application and an acceptance decision by the pre-law advisor

LEAP Completion Requirements

• Maintain a 3.0 undergraduate GPA
• Take the LSAT as administered by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)
• Apply to Washburn Law by the deadline for the semester that the student plans to attend
• Earn admission to Washburn Law, including mandated character and fitness review that is necessary for admission to both law school and the bar
• Complete all requirements for undergraduate graduation (see more information below, excluding the remaining 29 credit hours to be completed with law school credits) 

The School of Applied Studies also offers a scholarship to students. The deadline for the scholarship is February 15th.  

General Education 

• Students transferring to Washburn, that complete the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from JCCC will be considered to have satisfied Washburn’s general education curriculum.   
• Students who transfer to Washburn, without completing the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree will have courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis toward meeting Washburn requirements. To learn more about courses that satisfy Washburn Core Requirements and Washburn Transfer Equivalency Tool.
• Visit the Washburn General Education Guide for JCCC equivalents.