The study of law can be daunting. But now students at BYU–Hawaii can have an edge with the recently addition of the Legal Studies program and a certificate to go with their major. Students enrolled in the program can earn a 15-credit Legal Studies Certificate which they can complete by finishing courses in areas such as legal research and writing, international legal drafting and transactions, and comparative law.
“The Legal Studies Program provides practical skills that translates into U.S. and international students becoming paralegals, finding entry-level legal positions, government jobs, and admission into law school,” says Jennifer Kajiyama who leads the new program. “We have been very fortunate to see our graduates successfully find work in all levels of government, become paralegals, and go to law school.”
The certificate gives students an advantage in graduate programs and in the work force. Devyn Zebe Hartmann, a Legal Studies Graduate from Arizona, was offered an internship with Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ), in Washington D.C. “I am regularly asked by the staff to report on hearings, briefings, and legislative issues,” said Hartmann. “The writing skills I gained through earning the Legal Studies Certificate was the best preparation for my new position, and I have been praised specifically for those abilities. The ability to write effectively has proved to be more important than I ever thought it would be, and I am so grateful for the training I received.”
Kajiyama helped partner a relationship with the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University (Provo) and ACE Test Prep to provide BYU–Hawaii Legal Studies students study materials to prepare to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Such materials include video tutorials, study guides, LSAT explanation videos, and more, which would normally cost hundreds of dollars outside of the class. Legal Studies students are required to take nine classes, one of which has an LSAT test prep component. Up until 2014, when the Legal Studies Program was created, less than 50 percent of BYU–Hawaii students who applied were admitted into law school. Since the creation of the Legal Studies Program and LSAT test prep program, there has been a significant increase in LSAT test scores, with students averaging an 11- to 18-point increase – resulting in an increase in law school admittance and matriculation. At the J. Reuben Clark Law School (BYU), there are now eight BYU–Hawaii students currently enrolled, one of the largest groups of BYU–Hawaii students studying at BYU’s law school.
One of these students is Trevor Smith, who graduated from BYU–Hawaii in 2014. “The Legal Studies Certificate has greatly helped me in law school. I have already noticed many familiar terms such as ‘briefs, memos, and the CRAC Method’ taught in my Legal Studies classes,” he said. “During my first week at BYU law school, I’ve already briefed about thirty cases and started writing my first memo. My BYU–Hawaii Legal Studies classes have been very beneficial because I am able to read through the cases quicker, and know how to draft a legal memo.”
Smith encouraged BYU–Hawaii students interested in the study of law to earn the Legal Studies Certificate. “Taking the Legal Studies classes was a great investment. It is definitely benefiting me and will continue to help me in the future.”
For students who are considering the Legal Studies Certificate, there are two required courses taught in Winter 2015 and Summer 2016. Contact Jennifer Kajiyama at jennifer.kajiyama@byuh.edu for more details.
