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. Bachelor of Arts degree programs require a minor and a year of a foreign language.
The requirement for the internship may be waived for those students with substantial work experience. Total hours to earn the Bachelors degree remain at 36.
The 21 hour elective requirement must include 12 credit hours of upper-level courses
- BUS 335 Business Law may be taken at 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.
- A six hour internship is strongly advised for those without prior substantial legal experience (as determined by advisor) Department of Legal Studies
Students will choose a minor in another discipline.
Course List - Total Hours 36
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LGS110 | American Legal System | 3 |
| LGS202 | American Jurisprudence | 3 |
| LGS207 | Fundamentals of Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| LGS415 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| LGS445 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
