Legal Studies Certificates

Certificate in Legal Studies with a Bachelor's Degree

Because Legal Studies courses do not carry graduate credit, the University does not offer a graduate degree in this program. As a non-degree candidate, a student choosing this option is ineligible for financial aid.

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the University as a non-degree graduate student ("graduate student-at-large").
• Completion of LGS 201 and one other Legal Studies course with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in these courses.
• Following completion of LGS 201 and another Legal Studies course, submission of a formal application to the Department of Politics and Government.
• Offer of admission from the Department of Politics and Government.

Program Requirements

Completion of the following five required courses:

• LGS 201: Introduction to Law for Paralegals
• LGS 203: Legal Research I
• LGS 204: Legal Research II
• LGS 370: Litigation I
• LGS 371: Litigation II

Completion of nine semester hours of Legal Studies electives, selected from among the following paralegal specialty courses:

• LGS 216: Introduction to Torts
• LGS 314: Investigative Techniques & Evidence
• LGS 319: Probate Law
• LGS 322: Domestic Relations & Family Law
• LGS 360: Criminal Litigation
• LGS 372: Employment Law
• LGS 398.20: Paralegal Internship**

** Up to six semester hours of paralegal internship hours can be applied to the nine hour elective requirement. No more than fifteen internship hours can be counted towards graduation.

Completion of 24 semester hours from the Legal Studies Core Courses (required courses and electives) with a C or better in each course.

Certificate in Legal Studies without a Bachelor's Degree

While many legal employers prefer to have paralegals who earned baccalaureate degrees, it is possible to obtain paralegal work without this credential if the individual has developed the appropriate knowledge and skills.

Admission Requirements

• Admission to the University as an unclassified undergraduate student or in any major degree program.
• Completion of LGS 201 and one other Legal Studies course with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better in these courses.
• Following completion of LGS 201 and another Legal Studies course, submission of a formal application to the Department of Politics and Government.
• Offer of admission from the Department of Politics and Government.

Program Requirements

Completion of the following five required courses:

• LGS 201: Introduction to Law for Paralegals
• LGS 203: Legal Research I
• LGS 204: Legal Research II
• LGS 370: Litigation I
• LGS 371: Litigation II

Completion of nine semester hours of Legal Studies electives, selected from among the following paralegal specialty courses:

• LGS 216: Introduction to Torts
• LGS 314: Investigative Techniques & Evidence
• LGS 319: Probate Law
• LGS 322: Domestic Relations & Family Law
• LGS 360: Criminal Litigation
• LGS 372: Employment Law
• LGS 398.20: Paralegal Internship**

** Up to six semester hours of paralegal internship hours can be applied to the nine hour elective requirement. No more than fifteen internship hours can be counted towards graduation. 

Completion of 24 semester hours from the Legal Studies Core Courses (required courses and electives) with a C or better in each course.

Completion of 18 credit hours of selected general education to be approved by the Director of Legal Studies:

• Completion of ENG 101 and COM 110
• 6 semester hours of mathematics and/or natural sciences. Business math and accounting do not meet this requirement.
• 6 semester hours of courses in two of the following categories: social science, humanities, English composition & literature, and foreign language. Business English does not satisfy this requirement.

Completion of a total of 60 semester hours of college level work.