In addition to the programs leading to a
Certificate of Paralegal Studies,
an
Associate of Paralegal Studies
degree, and a
Bachelor of Business Administration
degree, National Paralegal College offers a course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in legal studies. This program provides the student with a rigorous academic foundation in a broad range of subjects in legal studies, a foundation in business, economics, English, and the social sciences, as well as exposure to advanced legal topics and career-oriented skills. Upon completion of the program, students are qualified to become employed as paralegals at law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and non-profit organizations, or to proceed to graduate study.
The approximate amount of time required to complete this bachelor's degree program varies with student course load, as illustrated below.
Time required to complete the bachelor's degree program
- For students taking 3 courses at a time:
under 3 years
- For students taking 2 courses at a time:
under 4 years
- For students taking 1 courses at a time:
under 7 years
Students using transfer credit to fulfill some program requirements will be able to finish more quickly.
To earn an bachelor's degree in legal studies, a student must earn a total of 120 credits, as follows:
| Optional, self-paced introductory course: |
Core legal courses
These courses use online courseware. No textbook purchase is required.
At least 12 courses (36 credits) of additional legal studies elective courses, at least 3 courses (9 credits) of which must be from the selection below of “400” level legal courses:
Elective legal courses
* These courses have recommended prerequisites.
** These courses have required prerequisites.
These courses use online courseware. No textbook purchase is required.
Click the course name for more information.
The remaining 72 credits may come from any course offered by NPC, subject to the following general education requirements:
All students must earn at least 42 general education credits (i.e., credits that are not legal studies courses). Of these 42 credits, the following minimum discipline requirements apply:
Complete 2 courses (6 credits) in English Writing. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Complete 2 courses (6 credits) in Mathematics. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Complete 2 courses (6 credits) in Natural Science. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Complete 4 courses (12 credits) in Social Science. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Social Science And Humanities
Complete 1 course (3 credits) in Communications. NPC Courses that satisfy this requirement are:
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies degree program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate written legal communication skills.
- Employ basic legal research skills including manual and technology-supported research.
- Employ basic legal analysis skills including with respect to case opinions, real-world fact patterns, and hypothetical scenarios.
- Apply critical thinking skills in typical paralegal work assignments.
- Prepare basic legal documents including legal memoranda, motions, pleadings, and related court documents.
- Assemble legal documents for purposes of satisfying tasks typically requested of an entry-level paralegal.
- Describe the role of the paralegal in the modern-day legal setting.
- Differentiate between authorized and unauthorized practices of law.
- Employ legal technology to access basic legal documents and legal resources including federal and state court websites and case law.
- Evaluate real-world and hypothetical legal scenarios for ethical considerations.
- Perform entry-level paralegal tasks in compliance with applicable rules of professional Conduct.
- Demonstrate advanced practical legal skills expected of a legal professional.
- Write advanced legal research memoranda.
- Draft advanced legal documents.
(The following program outcomes relate to the general education components of the program.)
- Employ appropriate forms of written communication in a variety of professional contexts.
- Develop professionally written documents, presentations, and data representations.
- Assess available information critically for bias, unwarranted assumptions, and logical error.
- Apply critical and analytical thinking skills in a variety of professional contexts.
- Examine arguments and ideas logically and from multiple perspectives.
- Demonstrate basic mathematical reasoning skills.
- Interpret collected scientific data, including evaluating potential bias and scientific validity of experiments conducted.
- Apply the scientific method to research, experiments and studies.