Paralegal Studies Programs

All Paralegal Studies Programs are approved by the American Bar Association as fulfilling its requirements.

Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies (curriculum)

The Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies is designed for the student entering college for the first time or entering with fewer than 60 academic credits. The program requires completion of a total of 60 credits: 15 credits (5 courses) in general education and 28 credits in Paralegal Studies (10 courses) as well as 6 credits (3 courses) in humanities, math, social science and science. The remainder are made up of elective courses. The curriculum assures that our students become acquainted with many fields of study, with a focus on a wide range of legal specialty courses necessary for a career as a paralegal. Graduates frequently continue to complete the Bachelor's degree.

Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies (curriculum)

The Bachelor of Science requires a total of 120 credits (40 courses) combining required general education courses and Paralegal Studies courses, and offers significant opportunity for expanding work in paralegal studies through electives. The program includes an Internship program, in which students can take from 3-15 credits working in a legal environment. It also provides for elective courses in areas such as Intellectual Property, Family Law, The Law and Forensic Evidence, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Comparative Law, which includes a trip to Rome. The Bachelor's program also encourages multi-disciplinary work, combining law, science, ethics and other disciplines for a rich appreciation of the law in society.

The Paralegal Certificate Program (curriculum)

The Paralegal Certificate Program is designed for students who already have a total of at least 60 undergraduate credits and therefore have a strong background in general education. The program includes 19 credits, of which 10 credits (4 courses) are required. Students can select from a wide array of courses for the remaining 9 credits to custom-design a Certificate in areas such as litigation, business law, or legal nurse consulting.