The Legal Studies Degree Program seeks to introduce the student to the field of legal studies along with its connection to and influence over closely related areas in the social sciences and business. The Legal Studies Degree Program emphasizes not only the nature of law and legal institutions, but the impact law and legal institutions have on politics, government, business, economics, different social groups, and society as a whole.  

The Legal Studies Degree Program is designed to be an interdisciplinary program where the student, along with acquiring an introduction to the field of legal studies, may choose between the Legal Studies Business Emphasis Associate of Arts (AA) degree and the Legal Studies Social Science Emphasis Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Required and elective units in either the Business Emphasis path or the Social Science Emphasis path must be successfully completed along with the general education coursework required by Cuesta College in order to receive a Legal Studies AA degree from Cuesta College.

The Legal Studies Degree Program is designed for students wishing to transfer into four-year college degree programs by satisfying lower division requirements for transfer to baccalaureate programs in business administration, business economics, business law, management, managerial economics, pre-law, law and society, legal studies, or political science programs. A legal studies degree is also an excellent first step for students considering law school or other post-baccalaureate programs in the social sciences or business.