Bachelor of Science in Marital Justice

University of Justice – Four-Year Degree Plan

Welcome to the Bachelor of Science in Marital Justice — a pioneering program at the University of Justice, designed for future policymakers, family advocates, legal counselors, and social architects who believe that the foundation of society begins with the sanctity, equity, and legal clarity of marriage and family life.

This four-year, eight-semester interdisciplinary degree integrates jurisprudence, economics, sociology, gender studies, and international law — all centered on marriage and family systems. Each course is cross-validated with the University of Houston (UH) and carries a unique 4-digit transfer equivalent code beginning with UH-MJ for seamless academic mobility.

Year 1: Foundations of Marriage & Legal Systems

Semester 1

Course Title Description UH Transfer Code

MJFL 1010: Introduction to Marital Justice Explore the historical evolution of marriage, its societal roles, and the emergence of legal frameworks. Analyze cultural, religious, and secular perspectives. UH-MJ1010

MJFL 1120: Legal Systems & Family Law Basics Comparative study of civil, common, and religious law systems governing marriage. Introduction to legal terminology and court structures. UH-MJ1120

MJFL 1230: Gender & Identity in Marriage Examine the intersection of gender norms, sexuality, and legal recognition. Discuss LGBTQ+ rights, non-binary unions, and gender equity in marital systems. UH-MJ1230

ENG 1301: Academic Writing for Legal Studies Develop skills in legal argumentation, research, and policy critique. Emphasis on ethical communication. UH-EN1301

Semester 2

| MJFL 1410: Matrimonial Law I – Formation & Recognition | Study the legal prerequisites for marriage: licenses, age, consent, and impediments. Focus on U.S. domestic law with global comparisons. | UH-MJ1410 |

| MJFL 1520: Wedding Ceremonies & Legal Rituals | Analyze the legal significance of ceremonial acts across cultures. From civil unions to religious rites—when does a vow become a contract? | UH-MJ1520 |

| ECON 1100: Personal Finance & Marriage | Foundations of joint financial planning: credit, debt, emergency funds, and early savings. Behavioral economics in marital finance. | UH-EC1100 |

| PHIL 1250: Ethics of Commitment & Consent | Philosophical examination of consent, fidelity, autonomy in long-term relationships. | UH-PH1250 |

Year 2: Financial, Tax, and Domestic Structures

Semester 3

| MJFL 2110: Marriage Taxation & Fiscal Equity | Understand federal and state tax implications of marital status. Filing jointly, marriage penalties, and economic incentives. | UH-MJ2110 |

| MJFL 2220: Marital Finance & Asset Protection | Strategies for managing joint accounts, investments, and credit. Introduction to prenuptial financial planning. | UH-MJ2220 |

| MJFL 2330: Home Sharing & Co-Ownership Law | Legal frameworks for shared property: tenancy rights, mortgages, deed structures, and dispute resolution. | UH-MJ2330 |

| STAT 2000: Data Analysis in Family Trends | Use statistics to evaluate marriage rates, divorce trends, and household income distribution. | UH-ST2000 |

Semester 4

| MJFL 2410: Prenuptial Agreements & Legal Safeguards | Draft and interpret prenuptial and postnuptial contracts. Ethical and legal enforceability across jurisdictions. | UH-MJ2410 |

| MJFL 2520: International Marriage Law | Cross-border marriages, recognition of foreign unions, immigration implications, and diplomatic protocols. | UH-MJ2520 |

| PSY 2100: Psychology of Long-Term Relationships | Cognitive and emotional dynamics in marriage: attachment, conflict resolution, and life-cycle transitions. | UH-PS2100 |

| BUS 2310: Legal Documentation & Contract Drafting | Practical skills in writing legally binding agreements related to marriage and cohabitation. | UH-BU2310 |

Year 3: Parenting, Rights, and Legal Transitions

Semester 5

| MJFL 3110: Marriage & Childbirth Preparation | Legal rights surrounding pregnancy, maternity/paternity leave, workplace protections, and birth affirmations. | UH-MJ3110 |

| MJFL 3220: Child Custody & Visitation Law | Dive into legal standards for custody (physical, legal, joint), relocation disputes, and best-interest-of-the-child doctrine. | UH-MJ3220 |

| MJFL 3330: Rights & Responsibilities in Marriage | Full spectrum of spousal rights: inheritance, medical decision-making, immigration sponsorship, and domestic protection. | UH-MJ3330 |

| SOC 3010: Sociology of the Family | Examine evolving family structures: blended families, single-parent households, and communal living. | UH-SO3010 |

Semester 6

| MJFL 3410: Divorce Law & Legal Dissolution | Grounds for divorce, no-fault systems, mediation, and court procedures. Comparative analysis: U.S. vs. global models. | UH-MJ3410 |

| MJFL 3520: Decrees, Decreases & Enforcement | Study of divorce decrees, alimony modifications ("decreases"), contempt proceedings, and enforcement mechanisms. | UH-MJ3520 |

| MJFL 3630: Wills, Trusts & Marital Estates | Drafting wills with marital assets, establishing trusts for children, probate avoidance, and spousal elective shares. | UH-MJ3630 |

| POL 3150: Public Policy & Marriage Reform | Analyze contemporary legislation affecting marriage: same-sex rights, cohabitation laws, and tax reform. | UH-PO3150 |

Year 4: Integration, Advocacy, and Capstone

Semester 7

| MJFL 4110: International Child Custody & Hague Convention | Deep dive into transnational custody disputes, child abduction, and the role of international treaties. | UH-MJ4110 |

| MJFL 4220: Advanced Prenuptial & Postnatal Contracts | Complex scenarios: high-net-worth marriages, business ownership, and cross-jurisdictional enforcement. | UH-MJ4220 |

| MJFL 4330: Mediation & Conflict Resolution in Marital Law | Train in dispute resolution techniques, family mediation certification prep, and collaborative law. | UH-MJ4330 |

| MJFL 4410: Internship in Family Law Practice | 120-hour field placement with family courts, legal aid societies, or matrimonial law firms. | UH-MJ4410 |

Semester 8

| MJFL 4520: Capstone: Designing Marital Justice Reform | Students design a comprehensive policy or legal toolkit addressing a modern challenge (e.g., digital marriage records, AI in custody algorithms). | UH-MJ4520 |

| MJFL 4630: Ethics in Family Advocacy | Professional responsibility, client confidentiality, and advocacy in sensitive domestic cases. | UH-MJ4630 |

| MJFL 4740: Global Perspectives on Marriage Equality | A comparative seminar: polygamy, arranged marriage, civil unions across cultures—human rights and legal recognition. | UH-MJ4740 |

| MJFL 4850: Final Thesis & Public Defense | Original research paper on a topic of choice (e.g., marriage tax equity, digital prenups, or child custody AI). Presented to faculty panel. | UH-MJ4850 |

Program Highlights

Transfer Assurance: All courses carry UH-MJ codes, recognized by the University of Houston for credit transfer into law, social work, or public policy programs.

Experiential Learning: Includes two required internships and a policy design studio.

Interdisciplinary Faculty: Taught by legal scholars, economists, sociologists, and practicing family law attorneys.

Global Curriculum: Case studies from 30+ countries with UN-supported marriage data integration.

Graduate Outcomes

B.S. MJFL alumni are prepared for careers in:

Family law paralegal practice

Marriage and family therapy (with additional licensure)

Policy advising for legislative bodies

International NGOs focused on gender rights

Financial planning for couples and estates

This degree isn’t just about law—it’s about love with legal literacy. At the University of Justice, we believe every handshake at a wedding should come with a clear understanding of rights, responsibilities, and resilience.

Enroll today. Build stronger unions—legally, emotionally, and economically.