(Currently Not Accepting Enrollments)

Description and Outcomes

The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program is designed to offer a level of training that provides you with knowledge of the law and paralegal studies, in conjunction with the practical and technical skills and competencies required of the profession. Comprehensive study in areas such as legal research and writing, litigation, contracts, legal ethics, torts, and various legal disciplines help prepare you for diverse career opportunities.

If you are interested in pursuing occupational advancement or seeking employment in legal environments, including private law firms, corporations, and government agencies, consider this program. A paralegal's duties may include providing support during courtroom proceedings, interviewing and investigation, preparing documents, managing technology, and researching legal issues.

Program Length

The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies program consists of a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded an associate of applied science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

1. Assist Clients: Analyze data to ethically assist clients throughout the legal process.
2. Perform Legal Research: Locate and analyze relevant primary and secondary legal sources in electronic and print media.
3. Perform Investigative Functions: Use investigative techniques to gather information from a variety of sources.
4. Perform Communications Functions: Communicate with participants throughout the legal process.
5. Implement Legal Procedures: Manage electronic and print information.
6. Assist in Litigation Preparation: Draft and organize information for trial purposes.
7. Prepare Legal Documents for Clients.

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 undergraduate School of General Education 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 nongovernmental certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. If certain licensed occupations, vocations, or professions are not explicitly listed, Purdue Global has not reviewed the licensure or certification requirements of those occupations, vocations, or professions, nor intended the program to meet such 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, meeting other certification requirements, or the program or the University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure.

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Program Requirements