BA in Legal Studies, Paralegal Profession

From research to drafting formal documents, critical thinking to organizing courtroom presentations, paralegals have a diverse role. This BA in Legal Studies with Paralegal Profession concentration will prepare you to sit for the Paralegal Core Competencies Exam and the Certified Paralegal Exam, and then to work as a paralegal, including in the state of California.

Paralegal Profession Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, Paralegal Profession provides you with the knowledge to support lawyers by conducting legal research, drafting formal documents and organizing materials for court presentations. The coursework delves into law practice management and the impact contemporary legal issues have within our governing systems. 

Students completing the BA in Legal Studies with Paralegal Profession concentration will meet the qualifications required to sit for the Paralegal Core Competencies Exam (NFPA), to sit for the Certified Paralegal Exam (NALA), and to work as a paralegal within the state of California.

As a student, you will:

  • Learn to apply critical thinking, analytical and research skills in legal contexts.
  • Understand how electronic discovery and legal technologies play roles in legal cases.
  • Prepare for a job as a paralegal or legal assistant in a law office, government agency, or legal department in a corporation.

Next Session

Spring I (Jan 6, 2025)

Estimated Tuition

Ways to Learn

Online

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Imagine Your Future In Legal Studies: Paralegal Profession

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    The distinguished faculty and their dedication to their students as well as the administration have made it possible for us students to overcome the challenges we faced and helped us bring our educational goals to fruition.
    Maribel L.
    BA, Legal Studies
    WSCUC

    University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

    Admission Requirements

    Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

    0 - 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • High school diploma or GED equivalent
    • Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation

    12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
    • Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
    active military?

    Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts.

    Transcripts

    Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

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    Program Curriculum

    • Bachelor degrees require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units which include a combination of General Education requirements and program specific requirements. In the absence of sufficient transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the 120 total units for the degree which a UMass Global Academic Advisor will help you evaluate.

       

      Code Course Name Credits
      Basic Skills 12
      ENGU103 Writing Communication I: Writing and Rhetoric 3
      ENGU 104 Written Communication II: Writing About Literature 3
      MATU 103 Applied Mathematics 3
      COMU 101 Public Speaking 1 3

      Quantitative reasoning 3

      Oral communication 3
      Breadth Requirements 24
      Humanities Select from 3 different areas: Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies 9
      Natural Sciences Select 6 credits 6
      Social Sciences Select from 3 different areas: Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, History, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Political Science/Legal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology 9
      Liberal Education Foundations 6
      LBSU 302 Information Fluency and Academic Integrity 3
      LBSU 304 Liberal Arts Core Foundations 3
      Total Credits 42

    • All courses taken in the major program must be passed with a letter grade of "C" or higher. Courses may be used to fulfill both major and general education requirements.

      CJCU 460   White Collar Crime

      3

      LEST 300   Foundations of Law

      3

      LEST 403   Legal Research and Writing

      3

      LEST 304   Constitutional Governance

      3

      LEST 306   Business Organizations

      3

      LEST 320   Torts

      3

      LEST 322   Contracts

      3

      LEST 324   Interviewing, Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

      3

      LEST 402   Litigation and Trial Advocacy

      3

      LEST 462   Ethics in a Legal Environment

      3

      LEST 495   Legal Studies Capstone

      3

      Major Core Requirements Subtotal

      33

      Electives or Concentrations

      12

      Total Credits

      45

    • Code Course Name Credits
      Take the following three courses

       

      LEST 416 Contemporary Legal Issues

      3

      LEST 418 Electronic Discovery and Legal Technology

      3

      LEST 420 Law Practice Management

      3

      Select one of the following:

      3

      CJCU 418
      Victim Advocacy

       

      COMU 315
      Intercultural Communication

       

      LEST 410
      Employment Law

       

      LEST 412
      Intellectual Property

       

      LEST 414
      Transactional Law

       

      LEST 420
      Law Practice Management

       

      LEST 499
      Independent Study

       

      LBSU 492
      Experiential Learning

       

      SOWK 391
      Youth At Risk

       

      Total Credits

      12

    Go Ahead and Earn Your Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies Today!

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