Paralegal (PAL)

This program is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to qualify for entry-level employment as paralegals. Students enrolled in the program complete a combination of legal specialty, business, liberal arts and elective courses that will prepare them to work in law offices, banks, insurance companies, government agencies, corporations and other types of organizations that deal with legal matters.

Such work normally is done under the supervision of an attorney. Legal specialty courses emphasize the role of the paralegal in dealing with clients, documents and procedures.

The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is awarded upon completion of the requirements for this program.

Students who successfully complete the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Paralegal (PAL) will be able to:

• Articulate the role of paralegals in the legal system and develop an awareness of potential ethical issues that may arise and ethical duties that exist in the legal work environment.
• Use critical thinking skills to apply substantive legal principles in order to analyze and resolve legal problems.
• Apply the basic principles of legal research in an accurate, effective, and efficient manner.
• Articulate an understanding of the techniques of legal analysis and writing and develop written communication skills to communicate the results of research and analysis in an appropriate format and tone.
• Demonstrate an ability to use a variety of print and electronic legal research resources.

Courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor.