From law firms and corporate legal departments to government entities and insurance companies, paralegals work in various types of organizations. At Leighton University, we can supply you with the knowledge needed to become a qualified paralegal. Choosing Leighton’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Paralegal Studies program is a solid step toward a new career.
BachelorofScience–AppliedParalegalStudies
Program Length: 120 credit hours
Accepted Transfer Credits: 90 Credit hours
Program Goals and Objectives
Graduates of the Paralegal Studies program will be able to:
- Apply communication and problem-solving skills to gauge and supply needed information to supervising attorneys, colleagues, and clients, and to assist the supervising attorney(s) with interviews, pre-trial preparation, depositions, trials, and the preparation of legal documents;
- Perform the duties of an entry level paralegal in a law firm or other legal work setting.
- Understand the ethical rules and concerns in the legal profession
- Interpret and apply legal codes of ethics in a work environment.
- Perform legal research using both printed and electronic sources.
- Draft a variety of office memorandum and legal documents, accurately prepare legal forms, and summarize legal documents
- Utilize oral and written communication skills through the preparation of legal documents and by conducting research, interviews, and investigations;
- Maintain and update legal skills and knowledge of the legal profession through continuing education, independent learning, and/or community service.
Critical Graduation Information:
To earn a degree, all students must:
- Earn a minimum total of 120 credits, excluding credits below the 100-level
- Meet the general education requirements referenced here.
- Earn a minimum of 30 credits from Leighton University to meet degree requirements
- Have earned a grade of ¨C¨ or better in order to apply transfer credit an accredited institution.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate.
- Must have paid in full all current debts to the University.
ADMISSION
Program Admission Requirements
To gain admission to the Program, an applicant must first complete the University’s Application for Admission form, along with the required $18.00 application fee (an additional $35.00 fee is assessed for applicants seeking transfer credit). All payments submitted for tuition and fees must be payable in U.S. dollars. Payments may be made in US dollars by check , money order, or credit card. Applicants must provide verification of High School graduation, GED, or the equivalency
Foreign Applicants and Applicants with International Credentials
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 500 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 61 on the Internet Based Test (iBT), or a 6.0 on the International English Language Test (IELTS).
Transcripts not in English must be evaluated by an appropriate third party and translated into English or a trained transcript evaluator fluent in the language on the transcript. For more information on TOEFL visit the website: www.ets.org/toefl
Foreign Degree Evaluation
Applicants wishing to transfer in credits or degrees earned at institutions located outside the United States must have their academic transcripts evaluated and certified by World Education Service (WES) or any organization recognized the by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Applicants will be assessed a fee by the certifying organization and should request that the report be sent directly to Leighton University.