William Woods University Catalog - 2004

Academic Division - Department of Legal Studies

Ranked as the sixth fastest growing occupation and projected to grow faster than many other occupations through the year 2008, the paralegal profession is indeed dynamic. Those statistics, from the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, make the paralegal major attractive to students. A paralegal studies major will receive a rigorous educational experience which includes applying knowledge of substantive law to the practical application of legal skills such as legal research and writing, investigation, interviewing, and litigation assistance. Internship opportunities allow the student to apply their knowledge in a legal setting prior to graduation.

The paralegal studies program prepares the student to function as a paralegal or legal assistant who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

The 18 hour elective requirement must include 9 credit hours of upper-level courses

• BUS 335 Business Law may be taken as one of the upper-level courses.
• Special attention should be paid to ensure that the Paralegal Studies major takes a minimum of 18 hours of "legal specialty" courses.
• Complete 34 hours of Common Studies as required by the department.

The requirement for the internship may be waived for those students with substantial work experience. Total hours to earn the Associate's degree remain at 64.Department of Legal Studies

Course List - Total Hours 64

Course #	Course Title	Hours
COM101	Introduction to Speech Communication	3
ENG101	English Composition I	3
ENG102	English Composition II	3
HUM107	Critical Thinking	3
LGS110	American Legal System	3
LGS202	American Jurisprudence	3
LGS207	Fundamentals of Legal Research & Writing	3
LGS445	Constitutional Law	3