This Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares students to launch careers in the legal environment as paralegals and similar professional roles. The robust curriculum provides students with an intensive study of foundational legal concepts. Additionally, the program enables students to support attorneys and other legal professions by utilizing knowledge and skills such as legal research, case management, legal writing, and court procedure. Students are required to take 62 credit hours, and must earn a ‘C’ or better in all courses in the major.

On completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply legal and ethical principles to the criminal justice system.
• Illustrate an understanding of the basic principles of the American legal system, including the sources of law, jurisdiction, civil case procedure, and the structure of state and federal court systems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of a law firm and the duties performed by an attorney and a paralegal in various specialized areas of law.
• Read and understand legal documents to assist the attorney with the drafting of such documents.
• Communicate effectively with attorneys and clients, court personnel, and co-workers, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical rules and standards of practice pertaining to the paralegal and develop a framework for resolving ethical dilemmas.
• Identify and respond appropriately to legal ethical issues, including conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, and unauthorized practice of law.
• Conduct effective factual and legal research and prepare legal correspondence, memoranda, documents, and exhibits.
• Demonstrate analytical reasoning capability and competent writing skills, including the mechanics of grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Illustrate good organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of technology in the modern law office and have practical experience using legal technology programs.

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