Legal Studies PAR.S.AAS
Associate of Applied Science - 61 Credit Hours
Division: Business and Public Services
Department: Legal Studies
Effective as of Fall 2023
You do not have to go to law school to have an exciting career in the legal profession! With the Paralegal Program, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need as a paralegal to work with attorneys to deliver a wide variety of legal services. The ABA approved Paralegal Program educates student through practical assignments and work models in the professional, ethical and technological concepts they will use in the legal field. All faculty are law school graduates. Classes are taught in a simulated law office environment that makes current practices and technology available to students. Legal research is conducted by students both online and in professional law libraries. All students produce a personal portfolio of their legal work and complete an attorney-supervised internship for hands-on experience using their paralegal skills.
Graduates may find work not only in large and small law firms but also in corporations, real estate title companies, property management companies, courts, government agencies, non-profit organizations, human resource departments, asset management companies, colleges, and universities among many others.
The national Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 18 percent between 2010 and 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employers are trying to reduce costs and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services by hiring paralegals to perform tasks once done by lawyers. Paralegals are performing a wider variety of duties than ever before, making them more useful to businesses.
The Sinclair College Paralegal Program provides a practical and interactive learning environment that prepares ethical, competent paralegals with the analytical, communication, and technical skills necessary to excel in a diverse legal community.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
What is the program about?
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.
Program Outcomes
- Competently conduct factual and legal research and communicate the results clearly and concisely.
- Demonstrate competency in current technology.
- Competently prepare and interpret legal documents.
- Exemplify a high standard of ethical and professional behavior individually and as a member of a legal team.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find work in large and small law firms, the business world, courts and government agencies. Under the supervision of a lawyer, a professional paralegal may perform such interesting duties as investigating cases, interviewing clients and witnesses, preparing legal documents and legal research. These responsibilities are carried out in a variety of legal fields, such as criminal law, probate, family law, litigation and real estate.
Transferability
Formal articulation agreements with other colleges and universities indicate how Sinclair programs and courses will transfer to other institutions.
Additional Information
This program is available in the following format:
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIS 1120 | Introduction to Software Applications | 3 |
| COM 2206 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENG 1101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 1199 | Textual Editing | 3 |
| ENG 1201 | English Composition II | 3 |
| LAW 1101 | Business Law | 3 |
| Legal Studies Elective | 6 | |
| MAT 1120 (Business Mathematics) OR Ohio Transfer 36: Mathematics Elective | 3 | |
| Ohio Transfer 36: Arts & Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| PAR 1101 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 |
| PAR 1102 | Legal Technology | 1 |
| PAR 1103 | Litigation | 3 |
| PAR 1201 | Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| PAR 1202 | Advanced Legal Technology | 1 |
| PAR 1203 | Advanced Litigation | 3 |
| PAR 2301 | Advanced Legal Research & Writing | 3 |
| PAR 2302 | Family Law | 3 |
| PAR 2303 | Probate Law | 3 |
| PAR 2401 | Paralegal Internship | 2 |
| PSY 1100 (General Psychology) OR SOC 1101 (Introduction to Sociology) | 3 | |
| RES 1201 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
Program Accreditation Information
The Legal Studies Program is approved by the American Bar Association, and fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a specialized accreditation recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. All full-time faculty in the Legal Studies Program are licensed attorneys. Sinclair is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Programs of study are approved by the Ohio Board of Regents. Completion of the Legal Studies Program does not authorize a graduate to practice law as an attorney, or to give legal advice.
