Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Paralegal Studies program will be prepared to:
- Understand and use legal terminology
- Conduct effective legal research and write competently in legal conventions
- Have a practical knowledge of the workings of the court system to use appropriate practice forms, and to understand filing procedures and deadlines
- Perform general paralegal tasks, such as interviewing clients; conducting investigations; assisting with law office management, and using legal practice software
- Develop a specialty area of practice such as litigation, corporate law; criminal procedure; family law; or immigration; and
- Observe the ethical standards of paralegal practice, including avoiding the “unauthorized practice of law,” and preserving client confidentiality.
These basic learning outcomes prepare the student for the professional competencies needed to meet the American Bar Association's definition of a paralegal: "a person employed by a law office, corporate legal department, or public entity to carry out specifically delegated, substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney. A paralegal is not an attorney and may not give legal advice, accept cases, argue in court, or set fees."