University of Richmond

In the last years, the paralegal field is becoming a very successful and wanted job according to some studies developed by the U.S. Labor Department.

This is a continually evolving profession and that?s mainly because day after day, new cases are decided, new precedents are set, new issues appear and new legal areas are created.

Worldwide, professional ethics is a basic element of the paralegal education and practice because an ethical conduct is required from any legal assistant.

The Paralegal Studies Program comprises courses that make students develop and understand their ethical responsibilities, duties, rules and guidelines.

In order to earn a Degree or Certificate in Paralegal Studies Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) in Paralegal Studies, you will need 120 undergraduate credit hours, including 30 hours of Legal Assistant and Law courses in the major.

The Certificate in Paralegal Studies requires an undergraduate degree and provides with 21 undergraduate credit hours from among Legal Assistant and Law, including the capstone course.

A Minor in Law and Public Policy is open to all SCS students earning a BAS or BLA degree and a student will need 18 undergraduate credit hours in order to earn it.

Last but not least, a Minor in Paralegal Studies was especially created for all SCS students earning a BAS or BLA degree. To earn it a student will need 18 undergraduate credit hours.

The bachelors degree applicants requires a GED or high school diploma, a completion of the undergraduate application and a submission of original transcripts from high school and college coursework.

In the same time, the certificate applicants will need an undergraduate degree from accredited college or university, a submission of original transcripts from all college coursework and also a completion of the undergraduate application.