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Overview

While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. In fact, paralegals – also called legal assistants – are continuing to assume a growing range of tasks in the Nation's legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. Our Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies partially online program goals provide an excellent foundation for those who are seeking entry-level employment in the growing profession of paralegals and legal assistants.

South University’s Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies partially online program is approved by the American Bar Association. The program consists of 7 legal specialty courses offered in an online 5˝-week delivery format. The remainder of the legal specialty courses must be taken in a traditional classroom format at South University - or at an institution approved by South University that's convenient for you.

Extensive practical training prepares graduates, under the supervision of an attorney, to perform many of the functions in a legal office, including but not limited to, assisting attorneys with interviewing clients and preparing legal documents and cases for trial. A legal assistant or paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible. Paralegals cannot give legal advice, set fees, or represent clients in court.

About Paralegals

*Quick Facts

• About 7 out of 10 work for law firms; others work for corporate legal departments and government agencies.
• Most entrants have an associate's degree in paralegal studies, or a bachelor's degree coupled with a certificate in paralegal studies.
• Employment is projected to grow much faster than average, as employers try to reduce costs by hiring paralegals to perform tasks formerly carried out by lawyers.
• Competition for jobs should continue; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities.

*Provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employment Outlook for Criminal Justice

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations." "Despite projected rapid employment growth, competition for jobs is expected to continue as many people seek to go into this profession; experienced, formally trained paralegals should have the best employment opportunities." "Although many employers do not require such approval, graduation from an ABA-approved program can enhance employment opportunities."

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos114.htm.

Academic Requirements

To be admitted to the Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies program at South University, the prospective student must be a high school graduate OR have the equivalent GED (General Education Development certificate).

After meeting this qualification, applicants must:

1. Achieve a satisfactory score on either the SAT I, the ACT, or the CPTs OR
2. Meet the eligibility requirements for a transfer student.

For additional information, view the Undergraduate Admissions Requirements.

Set a course for your own career growth by enrolling in the Paralegal Studies program at South University. Click here to get started.