Mar 19, 2024  
2021 - 2022 University Catalog 
    
2021 - 2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Professional Legal Studies, B.S.


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The Professional Legal Studies program is a practice-oriented course of study designed to prepare students as paralegals. As the legal industry experiences transformation due to economic and technological changes, opportunities for accomplished and technically-savvy paralegals have increased significantly. Professional Legal Studies students receive education in many different facets of substantive law, including litigation, criminal law, legal databases and alternative dispute resolution. The Professional Legal Studies Program combines academic rigor with legal and technical competencies to develop well-rounded legal professionals. Our graduates pursue successful careers as paralegals in legal, corporate, non-profit, or government organizations, and many continue to law school.

This program is approved by the American Bar Association. In accordance with ABA requirements, minimum of 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses must be taken in a traditional classroom setting or online through synchronous learning. Paralegals are prohibited from the practice of law except when allowed by law or court rule.

Program Requirements


Major Electives (9 credits)


Select three courses in Paralegal Studies course electives.

Total Major Credits: 46 credits


Core Curriculum (30 credits)


Includes two writing courses (including Expository Writing and Critical Writing for the Professional); a Mathematics skills course; Effective Speaking Across Audiences and at least one approved course from each of the following categories: Natural Science, Humanities, Fine Arts, and Social Science; and two additional liberal arts electives for a total of 30 credits.

Electives (45 credits)


Total Credits Required to Graduate: 121 credits


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