At UCF, Legal Studies students don’t have to wait for graduate school to participate in high-impact research. Here, research is a cornerstone of your experience. Collaborate with renowned faculty — practitioners like attorneys turned Emmy-winning documentarians and retired Air Force judges — on innovative projects exploring the origins of law, military law and food security.
From our on-campus courtroom to faculty-led research projects, you’ll gain transferable skills in legal research, writing and critical thinking that give you a competitive edge for law school, graduate studies, government careers and more. Whether your interest is in human and civil rights, constitutional law, or the crossroads of technology and the law, there’s a place here to explore it.
Plus, key industry partnerships enhance your academic experience, strengthen our ties to the legal profession and create powerful connections to the communities we serve. That means early access to networking, mentorship opportunities and experiences to ensure that what you learn as a student will help you succeed in the real world.
Research Areas
Whether you aspire to work in academia, policy or a legal career, research bridges learning and impact in a vibrant, intellectually engaged community. In the Department of Legal Studies, faculty lead dynamic research initiatives that explore the foundations of law, emerging legal challenges and the evolving role of justice in society. Their work contributes to the field in both practical and theoretical ways — informing policy, advancing legal understanding and shaping the next generation of legal thinking. Motivated students may have opportunities to engage in this work and gain valuable experience in real-world scholarship.
- Justice and Crime Policy
- Child Advocacy and Juvenile Law
- Access to justice in misdemeanor courts
- Human rights approaches to food system inequities
- Social movements and the evolution of human rights discourse
- State and local human rights implementation
- Use of social science in the courts
- Comparative Law
- Constitutional Law
- International Law and Trade Agreements
- Legal History and Origins of Law
- Military Law
- National Security Law
- Law and Psychology
- Law and Neuroscience
- Evolutionary Analysis of Law
- Eavesdropping and wiretapping statutes
- Privacy Law
- Empirical legal analysis
- Legal research and writing
Student Research
Ask the Big Legal Questions
Dive into a curriculum built for tomorrow’s legal minds with hands-on research opportunities that transform theory into action. Gain practical skills and while earning standout credentials to enhance your resumes for law school or careers as paralegals, legal analysts, or policy advocates.
Here’s how you can get involved in research at one of the largest undergraduate legal studies programs in the country:
Honors Undergraduate Thesis (HUT): Open to all qualified juniors and seniors, not just Honors students, this program allows you to design and execute an original research project under the guidance of a faculty advisor and committee. Over two to four semesters, you'll develop, write, and defend a thesis that is published in UCF’s STARS Repository, making your work accessible to researchers worldwide. This experience not only enhances your research and writing skills but also provides a competitive edge for law school, graduate studies and careers in the legal field.
Empirical Legal Research Course: Taught by a seasoned legal practitioner actively shaping the field, this course introduces students to the tools and techniques of legal inquiry — blending traditional research skills with empirical analysis. You’ll explore how courts use social science, how to collect and interpret data, and how research informs policy and practice, preparing you for advanced study or impactful careers in the legal profession.
Directed Independent Research: Work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to design and carry out a research project tailored to your interests. Whether you’re drawn to constitutional law, child advocacy, or emerging legal technologies, this opportunity lets you dive deep into a topic you care about — building valuable skills in legal research, analysis and writing that will serve you in law school and in your career.
Research Assistantships: Select legal studies students may be invited to join faculty-led research projects to analyze topics like how laws reflect universal human behaviors. These competitive opportunities offer hands-on experience with scholarly research, analysis and academic writing. Research assistants work closely with faculty mentors and contribute to projects that deepen our understanding of legal systems. If you’re intellectually curious and academically driven, talk to your professors to learn more about how to get involved.
Partnerships
We’re Making a Case for Community Impact
Located in the heart of downtown Orlando — just steps from the Orange County Courthouse — UCF Legal Studies offers unmatched access to the legal community through strategic partnerships. From mentoring opportunities with practicing attorneys to hands-on service, our students engage directly with the profession. On-campus appellate court hearings and other immersive experiences prepare you for law school, public service or a meaningful legal career — with a network that starts now and lasts a lifetime.
Here are just a few ways our department connects with the community:
Orange County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section
Students are sponsored to attend luncheons with the Young Lawyers Section — an opportunity to build connections, gain insight into the legal profession, and participate in a mentorship program that pairs undergraduates with practicing attorneys.
Wills for Heroes
In partnership with local attorneys, students support this annual pro bono event that provides essential legal services to first responders. It’s a hands-on opportunity to engage in community-focused legal work while learning from experienced professionals.
6th District Court of Appeals On-Campus Hearings
Our downtown campus hosts live oral arguments from the Sixth District Court of Appeals, giving students, faculty, and the community a front-row seat to the judicial process and a rare opportunity to observe appellate proceedings in action.
Building New Connections
Looking to collaborate with UCF Legal Studies? Reach out to explore internships, research projects, mentorship or other partnership opportunities.