LSSU degree gets American Bar Association approval

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

************************* New LSSU business administration - legal management degree gains American Bar Association approval SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Lake Superior State University's business administration - legal management baccalaureate degree is one of only two offered in Michigan, and now it has been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

The hybrid major is only two years old and combines the strengths of studying both business and law.

"Essentially, the business administration - legal management degree acknowledges how law is integrated into today's business world," says Professor Carol Andary, coordinator of legal studies at LSSU and a practising Sault Ste. Marie attorney.

"Graduates can work in areas of human resources, employer benefits, safety, worker’s compensation, contracts, insurance, compliance, technology, labor relations, or other areas of the law," said Andary.

ABA approval is icing on the cake for what is already a strong degree path.

The degree's formal legal background enhances a business major's employment flexibility since one can work in any business setting, as well as in law firms or other legal work environments.

The business administration - legal management degree is also ideal for pre-law or graduate school-bound students.

"When a student considers which program to enroll in, ABA approval is critical since it demonstrates a high quality education and helps ensure competence in the delivery of legal services," says Andary. "Graduating with an ABA-approved degree also enhances employment opportunities."

Interestingly, the American Bar Association has only approved 26 percent of all legal programs offered by approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S.

The business administration - legal management degree serves five career tracks, including paralegal/legal assistant, legal administration management, business management with a legal emphasis, paralegal/legal assistant management, and business management - law school bound.

Students complete an internship or practicum as part of the program, gaining on-the-job experience that may lead to more job opportunities, including work in various business organizations, private law firms, corporations, financial institutions, government agencies, real estate offices, title companies, insurance companies, special interest groups and more.

Some of the careers a business administration - legal management graduate would be tailored to fill include legal administrator, chief executive officer, legal assistant (paralegal) manager, human resources manager, labor relations manager, equal employment opportunity officer, compensation benefits and job analysis specialist, affirmative action coordinator, operations manager, paralegal/legal assistant, and an insurance claim adjuster, examiner or investigator.

Andary notes that the U.S. Department of Labor projects that the job opportunities in the legal field will grow much faster than other occupations through 2014.

She says an annual LSSU alumni survey has shown excellent job placement for legal studies alumni, who are working throughout the U.S. and Canada.

LSSU has also offered a legal studies program since 1983.

The program is unique in Michigan because students take a substantial number of law courses in various areas and opt for either a legal specialty or a minor in another field.

The legal studies program received a seven-year ABA approval in 2004.

LSSU's legal studies and legal management programs have an advisory committee of judges, lawyers, faculty, legal assistants, and administrators from throughout Michigan who provide advice on curriculum, graduate placement, and other matters.

In addition, attorneys and judges teach courses in the program.

Andary is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and has served on the certifying board for the National Association of Legal Assistants.

For more information on the legal studies or business administration-legal management programs at LSSU, contact the admissions office at 906-635-2231 or Carol Andary at 635-2104; email.

PHOTO CAPTION: Courtroom practicum: Students in Lake Superior State University's legal studies program conduct a mock trial using a courtroom provided by the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. LSSU's legal studies program taps regional resources such as the Sault Tribe to provide students with hands-on experience. LSSU photo by John Shibley.

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