Paralegal/Legal Studies
Associate of Arts
Occupational Major
This major is primarily designed for job preparedness. Students who are considering transferring to a baccalaureate institution should be aware that decisions on transferability of courses are made by the baccalaureate institution and differ from school to school. Students should contact the Transfer Services office early in their academic programs to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies
Penn 401 • Phone (215) 968-8227
Curriculum Code No. 2128
This major will qualify students to serve as paralegals for employment by attorneys, law offices, governmental agencies, or other entities in capacities or functions that involve the performance, under the ultimate direction and supervision of attorneys, of specifically delegated substantive legal work. The courses in the major are designed to impart knowledge and expertise of legal concepts, the legal system, and substantive and procedural law that will qualify students to perform work of a legal nature, under supervision, which is customarily but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law. In order to provide graduates with the expertise and flexibility required in the growing field, the major offers a basic knowledge in the paralegal field. Upon successful completion of the program in Paralegal Studies, the student should be able to
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of substantive and procedural law including the operation of the legal system and the theory of law;
- Perform the duties of a legal assistant in the public and private sector or in a position relating to the practice of law; and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical obligations and legal limitations of the legal assistant in the public and private sectors.
The Paralegal/Legal Studies program at Bucks is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), the largest professional legal organization in the world. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the American Bar Association.
Degree Course Requirements *
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CISC110 Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| COLL101 College Success Seminar | 1 |
| COMM110 Effective Speaking 2,4,5 | 3 |
| COMP110 English Composition A,2,10 | 3 |
| HIST152 U.S. History: Modern America 1 | 3 |
| LAWS100 Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| MGMT130 Business Law | 3 |
| LAWS140 Civil Practice/Litigation Procedures | 3 |
| LAWS220 Legal Research I | 3 |
| LAWS225 Legal Research II 9 | 3 |
| LAWS240 Negligence and Personal Injury: Paralegal | 3 |
| LAWS285 Paralegal Internship | 3 |
| MGMT100 Introduction to Business 2,3,4,8 | 3 |
| MGMT135 Business Communication A,2,4,10 | 3 |
| POLI111 American National Government 8 | 3 |
| POLI120 American State and Local Government | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities E,1 | 3 |
| MGMT120 Business Math A,6 | 3 |
| Science A,F,7 | 3-4 |
| Paralegal Electives B | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours | 64-65 |
Recommended Semester Sequence
The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.First Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| COLL101 College Success Seminar | 1 |
| LAWS100 Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| MGMT100 Introduction to Business 2,3,4,8 | 3 |
| MGMT120 Business Math A,6 | 3 |
| MGMT135 Business Communication A,2,4,10 | 3 |
| POLI111 American National Government 8 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 |
Second Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CISC110 Introduction to Information Systems | 3 |
| COMP110 English Composition I A,2,10 | 3 |
| LAWS140 Civil Practice/Litigation Procedures | 3 |
| MGMT130 Business Law | 3 |
| LAWS220 Legal Research I E | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Third Semester
| Course | Credits | COMM110 Effective Speaking 2,4,5 | 3 |
|---|---|
| LAWS225 Legal Research II 9 | 3 |
| LAWS240 Negligence and Personal Injury: Paralegal | 3 |
| POLI120 American State and Local Government | 3 |
| Paralegal Electives 8 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |
Fourth Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| HIST152 U.S. History: Modern America 1 | 3 |
| LAWS285 Paralegal Internship 9 | 3 |
| Science A,F,7 | 3-4 |
| Paralegal Electives B | 6 |
| Arts/Humanities E,1 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 18-19 |
A Placement testing required. B Any LAWS course not already required and/or MGMT145 may be chosen. MGMT 130 may not be chosen. C Consult the list of courses approved for this category. D Course requires prerequisite. E Choose from HUMN111, HUMN112, HUMN120. F Choose from SCIE102, SCIE103. 1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities 2 Satisfies Critical Thinking 3 Satisfies Diversity 4 Satisfies Information Literacy 5 Satisfies Oral Communication 6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy 7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy 8 Satisfies Social Sciences 9 Satisfies Technological Competence 10 Satisfies Writing