Academic Programs and Services
Paralegal Studies
Students who are identified as needing developmental course work must complete satisfactorily the appropriate English and mathematics courses as part of their degree program, even though certain of these courses will not count toward the degree.
Students may transfer paralegal courses from accredited degree-granting institutions with paralegal programs approved by the American Bar Association subject to the approval of the program coordinator and the Office of Student Records and Registration. Students may also petition to receive credit by examination for paralegal courses taken elsewhere.
Program of Study and Graduation
Requirements:
A minimum of 60 credits, a grade of “C” or better in all Paralegal Studies courses and a grade point average of 2.0 are required for graduation. Certain courses required for graduation may be substituted with the approval of the program coordinator and the Dean of Liberal Studies. Students must complete all of the paralegal courses within five academic years prior to graduation. Students whose behavior is viewed as inconsistent with professional standards may be dropped from the curriculum pending the results of a departmental hearing.
- Upon successful completion of the Paralegal Studies program students will:
- Be prepared to work as an entry-level paralegal;
- Understand the role of ethics in the legal profession;
- Be able to draft legal documents, conduct legal research both manually and through computer-assisted research and undertake the full scope of tasks assumed by entry level paralegals;
- Demonstrate legal analytical skills and writing skills;
- Understand how to cultivate a supportive professional network and how to remain current in the legal profession; and,
- Demonstrate an understanding of legal terminology in civil litigation and a variety of practice areas.
Accelerated Program:
Designed primarily for students who have already completed most or all of their general education requirements (either at the College or by transfer), the Paralegal Studies Accelerated Program sequences the ten Paralegal Studies courses required for graduation in three ten-week trimesters as follows:
Session One
(early Fall, mid-Fall, Spring and Summer)
PLS 101 Introduction to Paralegal Studies
PLS 111 Legal Research & Writing I
or PLS elective
PLS 121 Civil Litigation I
Session Two
(Fall, mid-Fall, Spring and Summer)
PLS 115
Three paralegal electives (TBA) or
PLS 111 and two paralegal electives
Session Three
(Spring, Summer and Fall)
PLS 211 Legal Research & Writing II
PLS elective (TBA)
PLS elective (TBA)
Courses in the Accelerated Program are four hours long with some on-line options. Students may take courses in both the Accelerated Program and the regular semester format provided there are no conflicts.
Internship:
A legal internship is offered to students enrolled in the program who have completed at least 36 credits toward the degree and who have attained a grade point average of at least 2.9 at that time. The internship is a three-credit course requiring the student to perform without pay at least 120 hours of paralegal tasks in a legal employment setting approved by the program coordinator. Students who receive a grade less than “C” are ineligible to retake this course. Those students who are ineligible for or who do not select the internship will be required to take another course from the concentration courses selections.
Law Library and Computers:
The College library maintains a complete law library which exceeds American Bar Association guidelines. Students are also exposed in class to computer-assisted legal research sources, such as online databases, the Internet and legal materials available on CD-ROM and are introduced to discipline-specific legal software in all advanced courses.
Download a printable degree description (PDF File) that includes a recommended course sequence grid.