Program Options
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Legal Studies degree and Legal Studies Certificate Programs are designed to provide a broad background in fundamental legal studies to students who desire to become paralegals or legal assistants working under the supervision of a lawyer. Legal assistants assume paralegal responsibilities as skilled members of a legal team in law firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, governmental agencies and related entities. In addition, exposure to law and law-related topics in the Legal Studies programs provide students with an appropriate academic foundation if they decide to attend law school. Degree seeking students must submit a portfolio documenting at least five years of experiential learning.
Bachelor of Liberal Studies
The Legal Studies specialization is designed to provide a broad background in fundamental legal studies to students who desire to become paralegals or legal assistants working under the supervision of a lawyer. Legal assistants assume paralegal responsibilities as skilled members of a legal team in law firms, financial institutions, insurance companies, governmental agencies and related entities. The legal studies specialization consists of 24 credits of legal studies ("PLA" prefix) courses. The objectives of the BLS degree with a specialization in Legal Studies are:
- to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of legal systems in state and federal environments
- to meet the needs of students by developing the legal research and writing skills that are essential to success in a legal environment
- to provide students with the critical thinking and communication skills necessary to comprehend and function as a legal assistant within the civil and criminal practice areas of a modern law firm
- to encourage students to comprehend and fully utilize the connections between theory and practice
- to provide fundamental education that students will be able to utilize in the legal community as legal assistants/paralegals
- to deliver the program in a format that allows for flexibility in program planning and scheduling
Students with no experience in the legal community should begin study with PLA 301 Law and the Legal System. Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree-seeking students are awarded a Certificate of Participation upon application after completing the 24-credit core legal studies specialization requirement. Sixty Credit Hour Certificates of Completion are also awarded upon application to degree-seeking and undergraduate certificate program students. Legal Studies certificate students may convert to degree-seeking status any time during the course of their studies. Students who are seeking a Bachelor of Science degree with a Legal Studies major or a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree with a Legal Studies specialization must take the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination, administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., (NALA), prior to submitting an application for graduation. Proof of sitting for the CLA examination must be attached to the application for graduation. The CLA examination is offered at least three times each calendar year in Florida. Information on the CLA examination, eligibility and testing dates and sites can be obtained from NALA at http://www.nala.org/ or by writing to NALA, 1516 South Boston, Suite 200, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119.
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