Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paralegal Studies, Associate of Applied Science Degree


The Paralegal Studies degree program is approved by the American Bar Association and prepares students for a career as a paraprofessional in private law offices, corporate legal departments or public sector settings. The program provides the student with a varied and balanced background in legal fundamentals as well as the skills and practical field experience necessary to work as a paralegal.

Graduates, who must work under the supervision of an attorney and may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law, are able to:

  • identify the proper role of the paralegal in the context of the larger legal profession, through application of the ethical rules that govern the conduct of the paralegal and the legal profession
  • analyze and assess legal problems, identify legal issues and conduct both standard and computerized legal research
  • draft and interpret legal documents such as deeds, mortgages, wills, pleadings, probate forms and discovery documents
  • acquire necessary computer skills in various legal software applications specific to the law office
  • demonstrate substantive knowledge and practical skills in areas such as litigation, torts, family law, real estate, dispute resolution, wills and estates, and intellectual property

This degree is offered through the Business and Public Service Department, whose mission is to provide challenging, career-oriented undergraduate programs to business and public service students, educating them to the level of competency needed for successful transfer to four-year institutions or immediate career path entry into the global market.

Curriculum – A.A.S. Degree


Third Semester


  • Free Elective 3 Credits 4
  • Paralegal Studies Elective 3 Credits 3
  • Paralegal Studies Elective 3 Credits 3
  • Humanities 3 Credits 2
  • Social Science 3 Credits 2

Fourth Semester


  • Paralegal Studies Elective 3 Credits 3

Total Credits 60*


1 A credit math course (i.e. MATH 110 Statistics I   or MATH 112 Precalculus I  ) may be substituted through placement testing.

2 Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education  list.

3 Choose any non-duplicated LEGL course:  LEGL 122 Real Estate Transactions ; LEGL 123 Advanced Litigation ; LEGL 124 Family Law ; LEGL 125 Intellectual Property ; LEGL 126 Wills, Trusts & Estate Administration ;  LEGL 128 Alternate Dispute Resolution LEGL 129 Privacy Law  ;  LEGL 130 Computer Applications in the Law Office  ; LEGL 132 Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility  ; LEGL 290 Paralegal Studies Cooperative Education  . 

4 Any college-level course

* Students who transfer paralegal specialty courses into the program are advised that transfer credits may be limited to ensure that at least nine credits of paralegal speciality courses are taken in traditional classroom instruction.