Paralegal Studies

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the employment of paralegals is expected to grow 22 percent between 2006 and 2016 — much faster than the average for all occupations. Elms College's paralegal studies program combines professional studies with a liberal arts foundation. You qualify for the American Bar Association-approved (ABA) certificate in paralegal studies with 27 credits of core coursework.

The American Bar Association defines a paralegal as someone who is 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.

You can choose to earn an associate of arts, an advanced certificate, or a bachelor of arts in paralegal studies, or a bachelor of arts in social services/paralegal. You can also minor in paralegal studies.

When you earn an associate's or bachelor's degree, you also receive the ABA-approved professional certification, qualifying you to work as a paralegal.

Our goal is to educate you so that upon graduation you can assist supervising attorneys with the performance of substantive legal work, thereby contributing to the efficient and economic delivery of legal services in both the public and private sectors.

Every year more than 70 percent of our graduates either continue their studies or find rewarding and challenging careers within the legal field. They work for private law offices, major corporations, and city, state, and federal government.

Associate of Arts

The associate's degree consists of 30 credits of paralegal coursework and 30 credits of general education liberal arts courses. Upon completion of the associate's degree, you will have earned the ABA-approved advanced certificate. If you wish to continue your studies at Elms College, all 60 credits will be applied toward a bachelor of arts degree.

Certificate of Advanced Paralegal Studies

The 27-credit certificate program is designed for students who already have an associate of arts or bachelor's degree. A minimum of 21 credits must be completed as a matriculated Elms College student. This means that students must apply and be accepted to the program before enrolling in a third course. None of the 27 paralegal certificate credits may be transferred unless obtained at an ABA-approved program and approved by the division chair.

Bachelor of Arts

The major incorporates additional paralegal courses to prepare the graduate for work in public or private sector organizations such as, private law firms, corporate law departments, government agencies, and legal aid organizations.

Provided a supervising attorney maintains responsibility for the work product, paralegals perform any task normally performed by the attorney, except those proscribed by the unauthorized practice of law.

Social Services Paralegal

If you are a people person with a passion for the law and helping your community, a career as a social services paralegal is perfect for you because you work one-on-one with people who are in the system for myriad reasons. Social service paralegals are able to utilize their social service skills in communicating with clients and assisting in resolving issues or helping clients through the court system.

Graduates can begin their careers by working in positions in the justice and correctional system. Commonly, our graduates find jobs with district attorneys' offices, social service agencies, victim-witness groups, in community service settings, child advocacy or probation departments, and prisons.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

(Minimum at Elms College: 27 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.67)

Major Requirements (58 credits)

Paralegal/Social Services Courses (28 credits)
LEG 204 Introduction to Legal Studies I (3 credits)
LEG 205 Introduction to Legal Studies II (3 credits)
LEG 206 Principles of Litigation (3 credits)
LEG 295 Gender and Diversity in The Law* (3 credits)
LEG 333 Computer Assisted Legal Research (3 credits)
LEG 334 Interviewing & Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credits)
LEG 363 Law Office Computer Applications (3 credits)
LEG 465 Advanced Research and Writing (3 credits)
LEG 480 Internship (4 credits)
*Students may substitute LEG 451 Elder Law.

Legal Specialty Courses (9 credits)
Choose Three: LEG 253-495

Social Work Courses (18 credits)
SWK 101 Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
SWK 204 Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3 credits)
SWK 301 Social Welfare Policies (3 credits)
SWK 302 Social Work Practice I (3 credits)
SWK 305 Social Research (3 credits)
SWK 307 Social Group Work (3 credits)

Capstone Course (Choose one) (3 credits)
LEG 455 Advanced Paralegal Seminar
SWK 404 Survey of Social Work Issues

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Major in Paralegal Studies

(Minimum at Elms College: 45 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.67)

Major Requirements (52 credits)

Paralegal Courses (28 credits)
LEG 204 Introduction to Legal Studies I credits (3 credits)
LEG 205 Introduction to Legal Studies II (3 credits)
LEG 206 Principles of Litigation (3 credits)
LEG 333 Computer Assisted Legal Research (3 credits)
LEG 334 Interviewing & Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credits)
LEG 363 Law Office Computer Applications (3 credits)
LEG 455 Advanced Paralegal Seminar (3 credits)
LEG 465 Advanced Research and Writing (3 credits)
LEG 480 Internship (4 credits)

Legal Specialty Courses (24 credits)
Choose eight from: LEG 253-495

Associate of Arts Degree

(Minimum at Elms College: 27 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.67)

Major Requirements (30 credits)

Paralegal Courses (18 credits)
LEG 204 Introduction to Legal Studies I (3 credits)
LEG 205 Introduction to Legal Studies II (3 credits)
LEG 206 Principles of Litigation (3 credits)
LEG 333 Computer Assisted Legal Research (3 credits)
LEG 363 Law Office Computer Applications (3 credits)
LEG 465 Advanced Research and Writing (3 credits)

Legal Specialty Courses (12 credits)
Choose four: LEG 253-495

Certificate in Paralegal Studies

(Minimum at Elms College: 27 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.67)

Certificate Courses (27 credits)

Paralegal Courses (18 credits)
LEG 204 Introduction to Legal Studies I (3 credits)
LEG 205 Introduction to Legal Studies II (3 credits)
LEG 206 Principles of Litigation (3 credits)
LEG 333 Computer Assisted Legal Research (3 credits)
LEG 363 Law Office Computer Applications (3 credits)
LEG 465 Advanced Research and Writing (3 credits)

Legal Specialty Courses (9 credits)
Choose three: LEG 253-495

Minor in Paralegal Studies (27 credits)

Paralegal Courses (18 credits)
LEG 204 Introduction to Legal Studies I (3 credits)
LEG 205 Introduction to Legal Studies II (3 credits)
LEG 206 Principles of Litigation (3 credits)
LEG 333 Computer Assisted Legal Research (3 credits)
LEG 363 Law Office Computer Applications (3 credits)
LEG 465 Advanced Research and Writing (3 credits)

Legal Specialty Courses (9 credits)
Choose three: LEG 253-495

Note: All credits for the certificate or minor in paralegal studies must be earned at Elms College or at another American Bar Association-approved program and must be approved by the department chair.