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Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies

 

The Southwest Paralegal Studies Program approved by the American Bar Association

This program offers a highly challenging curriculum designed for new and career-changing students. Paralegal Studies prepares you to become an essential part of a legal team.

The Southwest Paralegal Studies Program is designed to provide students with:

  • A focused, practical-skills based curriculum to prepare for a challenging career as a paralegal;
  • A convenient time frame for classes;
  • Guidance to support your pursuit of the degree; and
  • A foundation to pursue further study of the law.

Program Goals

The objectives of the Paralegal Studies program are to maintain our approval by the American Bar Association, to ensure graduates are trained in legal research resources, including computerized research and electronic discovery, and to educate students in document preparation relevant to various substantive areas of the law.

The goals of the Paralegal Studies program at Southwest are to provide excellence in instruction to prepare students for employment through quality educational programs and services that are responsive to the needs of the students and the communities served by the college and to provide an environment where students may acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the paralegal field.

Goals and Objectives

  • Goal 1:  The Paralegal Studies Program will provide instruction to prepare students for employment in a variety of legal settings working under the supervision of lawyers in the public and private sector.
  • Goal 2:  The Paralegal Studies Program will provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for success in the paralegal field.
    Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
  • Choose proper methods of legal research, focusing on computer-assisted legal research.
  • Perform fundamental paralegal skills learned throughout the program in a job setting.
  • Interpret basic legal concepts and vocabulary employed in the law.
  • Illustrate characteristics of and uses for documents used in the litigation process.

 

Program of Study

Paralegal Studies gives you the chance to learn important aspects of the law and to gain the practical skills needed to be a successful paralegal. Students who successfully complete the program will earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) in Paralegal Studies.

To find out more about courses offered at Southwest, you can use our Catalog Search to view descriptions of our courses or the Interactive Course Schedule to see when and where a class is being offered.

The maximum number of legal specialty course credit hours a student may transfer to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies is nine-credit hours. 

If you want to transfer legal specialty credit hours, they must have been earned from a fully accredited institution of higher learning. Also, the Paralegal Studies program coordinator or a qualified full-time faculty member must approve the hours to ensure the credit can be classified as legal specialty and is comparable to courses offered within the program. 

The Paralegal Studies program does not award legal specialty credit by examination or portfolio.

Paralegal Studies students are required to take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

 

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

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