Legal Studies, BS (Continuing Studies)

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General Education
Curriculum

120 semester hours of credit required for degree

Students enrolled in this ABA-approved program are provided the maximum opportunity to become educated in the theory, philosophy, and ethical practice law. They become well versed in civil and criminal law, legal writing, and procedure and may concentrated on a particular area of law through the choice of legal electives. The legal skills acquired through this program enable graduates to assist attorneys in all phases of private and public law practice. Graduates of this program may serve as legals to attorneys in law firms, in corporate offices, and on the legal staffs of various government agencies. Paralegals do not exercise independent legal judgment and do not render legal advice or opinions, set fees, accept cases, or appear in court. They work under the supervision and direction of attorneys. Paralegal studies graduates become proficient in numerous areas, including document preparation, legal research and writing, civil procedure, case file maintenance, and law office management. Students completing this program are awarded both a bachelor of science degree and an ABA-approved legal certificate of completion. See also Legal Studies Program (LSP) information.

General Education Requirements

All students are required to complete a minimum of 9 semester hours in each of the three areas of humanities, social science, and science/mathematics. A Semester hour consists of one hour per week in a classroom per semester or two to three hours in laboratory or fieldwork per semester. This requirement is based on the conviction that a baccalaureate degree represents more than expertise in a specific field. Students broaden themselves by taking courses in academic areas that have traditionally been at the heart of an undergraduate education. Students should work closely with advisors in selecting courses appropriate to their interests and academic needs. For more information regarding the General Education Requirements, please see the navigation bar in the catalog or General Education .

Courses taken on pass/no pass basis may not be used to satisfy the university distribution requirement. Both semester-long and certain module courses may be used to satisfy distribution requirements.

Curriculum

See Course Descriptions for required prerequisites and corequisites

Basic Studies (12 Credits)

UENG 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
UENG 115-127 (Choose One) 3 Credit(s)
UPSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
USOC 105 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credit(s)

General Education (21 Credits)

See General Education

Humanities area courses 6 Credit(s)
Science/mathematics area courses 12 Credit(s)
Social science area courses 3 Credit(s)

Program Core (45 Credits)

UASC 401 - Values Seminar for Continuing Studies (W) 3 Credit(s)
UPOL 101 - American Government and Politics 3 Credit(s)
LEID 101 - Introduction to Law 3 Credit(s)
LEID 102 - Legal Research and Writing I (W) 3 Credit(s)
LEID 104 - Legal Research and Writing II (W) 3 Credit(s)
LEID 106 - Contract Law 3 Credit(s)
LEID 110 - Legal Document Drafting 3 Credit(s)
LEID 201 - Wills and Trusts (W) 3 Credit(s)
LEID 204 - Trial Process 3 Credit(s)
LEID 205 - Civil Practice (W) 3 Credit(s)
LEID 206 - Business Organizations (W) 3 Credit(s)
LEID 212 - Ethics and the Law (W) 3 Credit(s)
LEID 226 - Evidence 3 Credit(s)
LEID 238 - Computer Technology and the Law 3 Credit(s)
LEID 245 - Criminal Law and Procedures 3 Credit(s)
UPHI 110 - Critical Thinking 3 Credit(s)

Electives (42 Credits)

LSP electives 21 Credit(s)
History elective 3 Credit(s)
Free electives 18 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 120

Note: Student must take at least ten credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through traditional classroom instruction.

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

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later. Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission. Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.