Paralegal Studies A.A.S.
Academic Division - Behavioral and Social Sciences
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
- BUS335 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 as determined by advisor.
- Other courses may be taken as electives with the permission of the advisor and the Department of Legal Studies director.
- 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.
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-CT | 3 |
| LGS110 | American Legal System | 3 |
| LGS202 | American Jurisprudence | 3 |
| LGS207 | Fundamentals of Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| LGS445 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
Required Electives
Concentrations
0 |