Legal Assistant-Paralegal Studies (BLA)

The American Bar Association-approved Bachelor of Science in Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies is a two-plus-two major that will allow students with an associate degree in paralegal/legal assistant/legal studies to continue study toward the baccalaureate degree. Inasmuch as the paralegal field continues to be listed as one of the fastest growing professions and inasmuch as the American Bar Association has recognized the benefit of four-year paralegal programs, this major provides students with marketable skills for employment in the paralegal or other law-related professions. The degree opens the door for opportunities in law office management, government, court administration, arbitration/mediation, financial institutions, the medical field, the insurance and real estate industry, etc. Practicing paralegals have the opportunity to pursue continuing legal education. In addition, the degree allows graduates to seek admission to law school. Paralegals operate under the supervision of a licensed attorney and are prohibited from practicing law.

Career Opportunities

Positions in law firms, court systems and offices, government agencies, corporate and business legal departments, insurance companies, financial institutions, real estate companies, health care facilities, community service agencies, and consumer organizations.

Remediation Strategies

All students entering the major are tested for English, mathematics and reading deficiencies. Students are expected to remediate any deficiencies during their first semester.

Transfer Procedures

All students entering the Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies bachelor-degree major will be considered for junior-level status as they will have earned the first two years in their respective associate-degree major from an accredited institution. This applies to Pennsylvania College of Technology associate-degree graduates as well. Due to the two-plus-two nature of this major, recommended high school subjects are not applicable. It is expected that students will carry a minimum of 60 associate-degree credits from an accredited institution into the bachelor's degree. Students who have not met the bachelor-degree requirements for the first four semesters will be required to complete these courses. Students who have not met the legal assistant associate-degree core requirement will be required to complete these courses before scheduling advanced legal assistant courses. (See note concerning curriculum outline.) Credits above the 60-credit minimum that were not required for the associate's degree and which meet the requirements for the third and fourth years of the major will be evaluated for transfer on a course-by-course basis. NOTE: Pre-program area relates to the College bachelor-degree requirements. In addition, students will be expected to have completed the following legal assistant associate degree core requirements: Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Legal Research and Writing, Civil Practice and Procedures, and Real Property Law. Existing articulation agreements governing transfers into the baccalaureate degree major (BLA) will be applied.

Program Goals

• apply information literacy to personal, professional and other related areas.
• develop the skills and awareness necessary for lifelong learning.
• develop the skills needed for critical thinking, analysis, problem solving, and decision making.
• develop the human relations skills needed to succeed in the legal environment.
• be aware of and adapt to diverse/alternative cultures, processes, and ideas.
• demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• demonstrate practical skills necessary to assist with the administration of a law office, including the handling of accounting and billing procedures.
• identify and appropriately evaluate legal ethical issues, including conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, and unauthorized practice of law.
• contribute to the professional growth of legal assistants.
• develop the ability to plan, organize, direct, and control within a legal environment.
• increase individual knowledge and understanding of self and others in the work environment.
• utilize legal sources to conduct effective research.

Curriculum

Directed Business Electives are any ACC, CSC or FIN course along with HRM 300, MGT 110, MGT 115, MGT 216, MGT 249, MGT 344, and MKT 240.

A maximum of 24 legal specialty credits may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree (BLA) through credit by examination or credit for work/life experience.

Additional Information

Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).