Legal Studies and Public Safety - 22PA - Legal Studies

The Legal Studies program prepares students to perform substantive and procedural legal work under the supervision of an attorney. Paralegals work in many different areas of law within the public and private sectors, and assist attorneys in the delivery of efficient and cost-effective legal services. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for successful, productive employment and contributions to the legal and business fields. The program provides the foundation for students to think critically and ethically in performing specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. This program is approved by the American Bar Association. ABA guidelines limit the use of asynchronous online courses for paralegal education, Thus, no Legal Studies degree or certificate will be issued unless at least 9 credit hours of Legal Studies coursework has been completed in a synchronous format.

Accelerated Option: Students who completed ENG 121 or the equivalent OR with department chair consent can enroll in LGL 110 and LGL 112 concurrently.

Legal Studies Program Policy on Auditing LGL Courses: Auditing LGL courses is not permitted.

Students should seek the advice of the department chair for course scheduling and to identify coursework that will meet career goals and degree requirements.

NOTE: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. This program is approved by the American Bar Association ("ABA"). ABA guidelines limit the use of asynchronous online courses for paralegal education.