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Legal Studies

The American Bar Association defines a paralegal or legal assistant as "a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible."

Why major in Legal Studies?

This area of study might be for you if:

  • If you are interested in the legal profession, you can jump in with Sinclair's Legal Studies Department. The program provides you with the required knowledge and skills you need to work in the legal community or to begin a four year or pre-law educational path.
  • If you:
  • Enjoy conducting research, solving problems, and communicating the results
  • Would like to work as part of a legal team and be a valued member of the legal community
  • Are interested in learning more about the law and its practices
  • Would like to gain experience to prepare for a four year degree or for law school

If you answered yes to any of the above, then the challenge of a Legal Studies degree may be for you!

Information:

 

Book Icon Available Programs

For program specific information click on the program below:

Associate of Applied Science
The Legal Studies Program educates students with practical assignments in a simulated law office environment. All student work models the professional, ethical and technology concepts they will use in the legal field. Student learning is supported by experienced paralegals who serve as team teachers. All Legal Studies students are required to complete an attorney-supervised internship for hands-on experience using their paralegal skills. Classes are taught in a simulated law office environment that makes current practices and technology available to students. All full-time faculty in the Legal Studies program have graduated from law school. Legal research is conducted by students both online and in professional law libraries. All students produce a personal portfolio of their legal work and benefit from an internship experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney. A grade point average of 2.0 is required to enter the Legal Studies Program. A grade of C is required in all PAR courses. An overall grade point average of at least 2.0 is required to continue in the program, and is required for graduation. Students must take at least nine credits of the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. View Full Program Details
One-year Technical Certificate
The Legal Studies program educates students with practical assignments in a "simulated law office" environment. All student work demonstrates the professional, ethical, and technology concepts they will use in the legal field. All full-time faculty in the Legal Studies program have graduated from law school. The objective of the Legal Nurse Consultant Certificate is to prepare the registered nurse to perform legal analysis of health care issues as well as prepare them for litigation preparation on medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Building on the nurse's education and clinical experience, the program will provide the practical skills and legal knowledge necessary to function in the legal arena. Additionally, instructors will ensure that nurses who take the program understand the role of the Legal Nurse Consultant in the greater community and what is involved in working as a consultant. This certificate is intended to enhance the attractiveness of an already obtained Nursing degree by providing students with practical skills needed to work in the legal field. All students are required to complete an attorney-supervised internship for hands-on experience using their practical skills. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all courses to remain in the program. Established in 1978, the Sinclair Legal Studies Program was the first paralegal program in the area, and the first in the area to be approved by the American Bar Association. Sinclair Legal Studies graduates hold a degree from an ABA-Approved program at a fully-accredited Ohio college. Students must take at least nine credits of the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. View Full Program Details
Legal Studies Post Baccalaureate Certificate Go to Program Details Display Program Description
The Legal Studies program educates students with practical assignments in a "simulated law office" environment. All student work demonstrates the professional, ethical, and technology concepts they will use in the legal field. All full-time faculty in the Legal Studies program have graduated from law school. Student learning is supported by experienced paralegals who serve as team teachers. This certificate is intended to enhance the attractiveness of an already obtained bachelor's degree by providing students with practical skills needed to work in the legal field. All Legal Studies students are required to complete an attorney-supervised internship for hands-on experience using their paralegal skills. A grade of C or higher is required in all courses to remain in the program. Established in 1978, the Sinclair Legal Studies Program was the first paralegal program in the area, and the first in the area to be approved by the American Bar Association. Sinclair Legal Studies graduates hold a degree from an ABA-Approved program at a fully-accredited Ohio college. Students must take at least nine credits of the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction. View Full Program Details
 
 

Program Policies

 

Accreditation

The Legal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), and fully accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, a specialized accreditation recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Completion of the Legal Studies Program does not authorize a graduate to practice law as an attorney. 


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