From investigating facts and obtaining affidavits to conducting legal research and drafting documents, paralegals play a key role in supporting the work of legal offices around the country. Successful attorneys, meanwhile, understand the immense value a capable, skilled, and knowledgeable paralegal brings to their organization, which heightens competition for those with proven skills.

With a BA in Paralegal Studies, you position yourself to become a prized, indispensable member of a legal team and create new career opportunities for yourself.

Note: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as authorized by law.

Curriculum

The B.A. in Paralegal Studies comprises 120 credit hours. Courses are offered in an 8 week session format with evening and Saturday morning options.

All PLST courses carry 2 credit hours unless noted otherwise.

Note: Institute students must complete at least 9 semester credit hours of ABA-designated legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction or synchronous online instruction.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Paralegal Core Courses
PLST 369	Advanced Topics in American Law	3
PLST 370	Advanced Legal Analysis & Writing I	3
PLST 331	Introduction to Paralegal Studies	2
PLST 332	Legal Research and Writing I	2
PLST 333	Legal Research and Writing II	2
PLST 335	Legal Ethics	2
PLST 345	Law Office Computer Applications	2
Practice Track Requirements
PLST 340	Civil Litigation I	2
PLST 341	Civil Litigation II	2
PLST 342	Litigation Technology & eDiscovery	2
PLST 362	Business Organizations	2
PLST 363	Contract Administration & Analysis	2
PLST 339	Secured Transactions and Bankruptcy	2
Elective Requirement
Complete 0-6 courses depending on transfer credit.		0-12
SCPS Courses
CPST 200	Introduction to Degree Completion	3
CPST 201	Civic Identity and Development	3
CPST 397	Capstone	3
Core Requirements
The number of hours remaining toward Core requirements can vary due to transfer credit. 1
Mission Specific Requirements
Mission specific requirements can vary from 0 to 15 credit hours based on your prior credit.
General Elective Requirements
Students may have some general elective coursework to complete if their transfer credit and remaining required hours (Core, mission specific, major, etc.) do not total 120.
Total Hours		120

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Core Requirements - Learn More

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies provides a high-touch advising model in order to incorporate the professional and educational outcomes of the student as well as any transfer credit accepted.  In order to provide students with maximum flexibility in their education and because everyone’s academic background will vary, advisors will work directly with students to determine an appropriate sequence of courses starting at admission into their respective program based on their needs and expected time to completion.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of All BA in Paralegal Studies students will be able to: 

• Locate relevant legal sources from federal and state jurisdictions and prepare  summaries of these sources. 
• Develop legal arguments using court decisions, statutes, and administrative regulations. 
• Apply paralegal and attorney code of ethics to situations typically encountered by paralegals. 
• Demonstrate intermediate competence using typical office software including Word, Excel, Adobe and PowerPoint.  
• Draft pleadings, collect and organize factual information and pleadings to assist with investigation of the case, discovery and preparation for trial.
• Assist attorneys who work for corporate clients document the organization and operation of business entities. 
• Draft contract provisions and coordinate the administrative process for contracts.