Description
Legal Studies Program Description
Stevenson University's legal studies program, the first in the state, and one of the first in the nation, to be approved by the American Bar Association, attracts students who have logical and analytical minds, possess organizational skills, and pay attention to detail. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. However, working under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are vital members of the legal team. They perform such functions as:
- Legal research and writing
- Conduct factual investigations
- Interview clients and witnesses
- Draft pleadings and motions
- Manage trial preparation and litigation support
- Draft contracts and real estate documents
- Administer estates and guardianships
- Apply for intellectual property registrations
- Prepare bankruptcy schedules and tax forms
The ultimate goal of the legal studies program is to fully prepare students for employment by law firms, corporate law departments, government agencies, legal aid providers, and other employers in the legal profession. Students gain an extensive knowledge of numerous areas of law and practical experience to enable them to perform tasks in specific legal specialty areas. By taking a combination of law and liberal arts courses each semester, students are able to pursue their legal interests immediately and develop skills gradually.
Students earn a bachelor's degree in legal studies. Students may select a sequence of courses that permits them to focus on a specific area within the legal studies curriculum, such as corporate law, estate administration, real estate law, or litigation. Students perform an internship, typically in the sophomore or junior year, and complete a legal capstone course in their senior year. Students may participate in a law clinic, as an elective course in their major, and gain experience by providing pro bono paralegal services in the community.
Courses are offered days, evenings, and most courses are offered online. All students must complete a minimum of ten semester credits in traditional classroom instruction. The following courses are on campus in a hybrid format:
- LAW 102 Introduction to Legal Studies
- LAW 125 Legal Research and Writing I
- LAW 210 Legal Research and Writing II
- LAW 216 Civil Litigation and Pleading
- LAW 480 Legal Studies Capstone
Objectives
Legal Studies Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Conduct research using all appropriate resources to identify and obtain relevant legal authority.
- Compose documents based on factual investigation, legal research, and analysis to inform and/or persuade.
- Apply legal terminology, principles of law, and rules of ethical legal practice to the performance of paralegal services.
- Operate as productive and professional members of a legal services delivery team using appropriate communication, technology, and time-management skills.
- Perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney, as permitted by law.
Policies
Legal Studies Program Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of
2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all
major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student,
regardless of major, will be permitted to advance to the next course without
earning a grade of "C" or better in the prerequisite course(s). When
a grade below "C" is earned in a major course, the student must
repeat that course.
Legal studies majors who do not
successfully complete a LAW course with a grade of “C" or better after a
third attempt will not be allowed to continue in the legal studies program.
Students must take a minimum of 18
credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses at Stevenson University to
earn a degree in legal studies. A legal specialty course is a LAW course that
covers substantive law or legal procedures or process, has been developed for
paralegals, emphasizes practical paralegal skills, and meets the American Bar
Association's (ABA) instructional methodology requirements. The legal studies
program offers traditional, hybrid, and online delivery of legal specialty
courses approved by the ABA, as well as other LAW courses. Students must take a
minimum of ten semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses
through traditional classroom instruction.
Credit for equivalent law courses
considered legal specialty courses under the ABA Guidelines is accepted for
students transferring from paralegal programs, whether ABA-approved or not. If
a student has earned credit from an institution that is not ABA-approved, the
Associate Dean, Business Programs reviews the description of the course
content, the course syllabus (if necessary), and information about the
institution before credit is transferred for equivalent law courses. A maximum
of 24 credits will be accepted for equivalent law courses.
Although Stevenson University policy
is that internships performed at other institutions do not transfer, there is
an exception for students who perform paralegal internships with ABA-approved
paralegal programs at other institutions. If a student successfully completes a
three-credit internship class at an ABA-approved paralegal program, the
internship requirement (LAW 225) can be waived and the student will take
another three credit legal specialty course (upper- or lower- level) in its
place.
Some students work as paralegals
while completing the legal studies program. These students may apply for a
waiver of the internship requirement (LAW 225). Paperwork from the student and
the employer is required to verify that the student performed paralegal tasks
and worked a minimum of 135 hours. If approved, the student will take another
three credit legal specialty course (upper- or lower-level) in place of the
internship class. Students working full-time, not as paralegals, can satisfy
the internship requirement by completing a virtual internship as a paralegal,
supervised by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. This three
credit virtual internship class is considered non-legal specialty.
The award of legal specialty credits
through examination or portfolio is monitored to ensure that the quality and
integrity of the legal program are maintained. A maximum of six legal specialty
credits can be earned through examination or portfolio. To receive credit for
prior learning for a legal specialty course through examination or portfolio,
the examination or portfolio must be evaluated by a faculty evaluator. In
conducting this evaluation, the faculty evaluator will ensure that the credit
sought can be classified as legal specialty, the student meets the course
objectives and practical skills to be developed for the course for which credit
is sought, the student meets the needs of the legal community the program
serves, and the student’s work is comparable to course work offered within the legal
studies program.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in legal studies. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| GPS 200 | Adult Learning Theory & Practice | 3 credits |
| ACC 215 | Survey of Accounting | 3 credits |
| POSCI 102 | American Government: Political Institutions and Procedures | 3 credits |
| LAW 102 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 credits |
| LAW 112 | Torts | 3 credits |
| LAW 114 | Estates and Trusts | 3 credits |
| LAW 120 | Contract Law | 3 credits |
| LAW 125 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 credits |
| LAW 130 | Business Organizations Law | 3 credits |
| LAW 204 | Constitutional Law | 3 credits |
| LAW 210 | Legal Research and Writing II | 3 credits |
| LAW 216 | Civil Litigation and Pleading | 3 credits |
| LAW 225A | Internship: Part I | 1 credit |
| LAW 352 | Law Office Technology | 3 credits |
| LAW 480 | Legal Studies Capstone | 3 credits |
Six Law electives, two of which may be at the lower level.
Minor in Legal Studies
A minor is available in legal studies. The minor in legal studies is not intended to prepare students to work as paralegals and is not approved by the American Bar Association. All course prerequisites must be met to be eligible to take the selected course for a minor. Please see an academic advisor for more information. Specific information regarding minor requirements may be found in the Academic Information section of the catalog.
Other Options
BS/MS Option: The BS/MS option is available for students majoring in legal studies who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a master's degree in one of Stevenson's graduate programs. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degree in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested student must formally apply for entrance into a BS/MS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. For more information on this program see the Admissions section of this catalog.
Legal Studies Second Bachelor's Degree
Legal Studies Second Bachelor's Program Description
Stevenson’s second bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, which also is approved by the American Bar Association, is a 33-credit program. Students are required to complete the core courses, totaling 15 credits, plus six law electives, four of which must be at the upper level. The five core courses are offered in an 8-week hybrid format. The law electives are offered in 8-week online sessions. The following courses are required.
Program Requirements:
| LAW 102 | Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 credits |
| LAW 125 | Legal Research and Writing I | 3 credits |
| LAW 210 | Legal Research and Writing II | 3 credits |
| LAW 216 | Civil Litigation and Pleading | 3 credits |
| LAW 480 | Legal Studies Capstone | 3 credits |
| LAW | Two lower-level LAW electives | |
| | Four upper-level LAW electives | |
Two lower-level LAW electives: 100- or 200- level.
Four upper-level LAW electives: 300- or 400- level.