Description and Outcomes

The Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services program is designed to offer a broad-based foundation in the knowledge of the law and other related practical study areas, in conjunction with the practical and technical skills and competencies required of various professions in the legal field. Comprehensive study in areas such as legal research and writing, American justice system, legal ethics, legal philosophy, and various legal disciplines help prepare you for diverse career opportunities.

If you are interested in pursuing occupational advancement or seeking employment in legal support environments, including private law firms, corporations, and government agencies, consider this program. Duties may include providing support during legal proceedings, investigation, preparing various documents, managing technology, and researching and assessing legal issues.

If you have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, you may be eligible for degree requirements to be waived and replaced with advanced start credit. Refer to Advanced Start Credit in Bachelor’s Degrees for details.

Concentration

The bachelor's degree program offers you the opportunity to personalize a degree with a concentration in the paralegal profession.

Accelerated Master's Degree Options

If you are interested in earning a master's degree, consider an accelerated master's degree option. Refer to the Progression Requirements section for details.
 

Program Length

The Bachelor of Science in Legal Support and Services program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

1. Theory and Principles: Explain the elements of specific areas of law.
2. Research: Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources to specific fact scenarios.
3. Investigation: Investigate using exploratory techniques in the legal profession.
4. Communications: Draft communications using legal sources from specific areas of law.
5. Critical Thinking: Argue legal theories and the practices of various societal institutions.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Please refer to school-specific policies and the Policy Information section for general Purdue Global policies.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

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Program Requirements

Students in this program are not required to select a concentration.

Standard Track

¹

For options to fulfill this requirement, see the corresponding literacy in General Education and Professional Competency Requirements. 

²

These degree requirements can be waived for students who are eligible for advanced start credit with a prior degree. See Advanced Start Credit in Bachelor’s Degrees for details.

³

Eligible students who choose to complete an accelerated master's degree option will take four graduate-level courses in addition to selected undergraduate electives.

Concentration Track

¹

For options to fulfill this requirement, see the corresponding literacy in General Education and Professional Competency Requirements. 

²

These degree requirements can be waived for students who are eligible for advanced start credit with a prior degree. See Advanced Start Credit in Bachelor’s Degrees for details.

³

Eligible students who choose to complete an accelerated master's degree option will take four graduate-level courses in addition to selected undergraduate electives.

Paralegal

Concentration courses are completed within the major electives requirement of the degree plan.