Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies - Associate in Science
This program may be completed at the Knight (Warwick) Campus.
The Paralegal associate in science program prepares students to begin a dynamic career in the legal field and/or continue their education at a four-year institution. This program provides students with a solid foundation in principles, practices, and procedures in legal research and writing and various areas of law. Our graduates pursue successful careers in law firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, and many continue on to law school.
Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Conduct legal research using various resources, including online databases and legal libraries. (Legal Research Skills)
- Draft and prepare legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and motions, ensuring adherence to proper legal formatting and terminology. (Document Preparation)
- Exhibit a thorough understanding of court procedures and the legal system, including the substantive elements of constitutional, civil, and criminal law and processes, and the roles of different legal professionals. (Understanding of Legal Procedures)
- Understand ethical standards and professional responsibility in the legal profession. (Ethics and Professionalism)
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, using conventions of the legal profession. (Communication Skills)
- Apply critical thinking skills in the reading and analysis of legal materials. (Critical Thinking)
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| COMM 1010 | Communication Fundamentals^ (Work-based learning course) | 3 |
| ENGL 1010 | Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) | 3 |
| MATH 1139 | Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students (or MATH 1139C) | 3 |
| PSYC 2010 | General Psychology | 4 |
| SOCS 1010 | General Sociology | 3 |
| Science Elective | 3-5 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Criminology | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of the United States from 1877 | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Government and Politics | ||
| Modern Political Ideologies | ||
| Subtotal | 28-30 | |
| Major Education Requirements | ||
| BUSN 1015 | Business Computing Applications | 3 |
| LAWS 1080 | Introduction to Law and Legal Studies | 3 |
| LAWS 1010 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAWS 2000 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LAWS 2020 | Basic Civil Procedures for Legal Professionals | 3 |
| LAWS 2040 | Law in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| LAWS 2050 | Law of Contracts | 3 |
| LAWS 2070 | Law of Business Organization | 3 |
| LAWS 2090 | Legal Research and Writing I^ (Work-based learning course) | 3 |
| LAWS 2095 | Legal Research and Writing II^ (Work-based learning course) | 3 |
| LAWS 2100 | Tort and Personal Injury Law | 3 |
| Subtotal | 33 | |
| Total Hours | 61-63 | |
Recommended Course Sequence
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 | Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) | 3 |
| COMM 1010 | Communication Fundamentals^ (Work-based learning course) | 3 |
| LAWS 1010 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAWS 1080 | Introduction to Law and Legal Studies | 3 |
| LAWS 2040 | Law in Contemporary Society | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BUSN 1015 | Business Computing Applications | 3 |
| LAWS 2000 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| LAWS 2020 | Basic Civil Procedures for Legal Professionals | 3 |
| LAWS 2090 | Legal Research and Writing I^ (Work-based learning course) | 3 |
| SOCS 1010 | General Sociology | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| LAWS 2050 | Law of Contracts | 3 |
| LAWS 2070 | Law of Business Organization | 3 |
| MATH 1139 | Mathematics for Liberal Arts Students | 3 |
| PSYC 2010 | General Psychology | 4 |
| SOCS 2300 | Criminology | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| LAWS 2095 | Legal Research and Writing II^ (Work-based learning course) | 3 |
| LAWS 2100 | Tort and Personal Injury Law | 3 |
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| History of the United States from 1877 | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Race and Ethnic Relations | ||
| Choose ONE of the following: | 3 | |
| American Government and Politics | ||
| Modern Political Ideologies | ||
| Science Elective | 3-5 | |
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Total Hours | 61-63 | |
Transfer
Please meet with an Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach if you are interested in earning a bachelor's degree. Your Academic Advisor will help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to a four-year college or university.
Check out the Joint Admissions Agreement if you are interested in transferring to Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island. The JAA program offers seamless transfer to RIC or URI with additional benefits. Transfer information, events, and articulations are available on the Transfer Center website.
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