Undergraduate
Certificate Programs
Paralegal Studies
Paralegals play an increasingly important part in the legal profession, undertaking critical research and support work for attorneys. The Certificate in Paralegal Studies offered by the Department of Political Science is increasingly recognized as important preparation for anyone considering a career in law, and provides students with grounding in all the critical elements of the legal profession, from litigation to property law, contract law, bankruptcy law, and family law. Adding an important real-world element to the certificate, almost all the classes are taught by practicing attorneys or paralegals. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.
Students can combine the certificate with any other degree programs or major, or take it by itself.
The 27 credit hour certificate includes 9 credit hours of required course work and 18 credit hours chosen by the student from a set of elective courses listed below. Students must receive a grade of C or higher in each course they intend to apply toward the certificate.
Because of the demands of the required courses for the certificate, there are prerequisites that students must satisfy prior to undertaking the course work for the certificate:
- College level writing proficiency (ENG-W 131: Reading, Writing and Inquiry I or its equivalent)
- College level speaking proficiency (COMM-R 110: Fundamentals of Speech Communication or its equivalent)
- Computing proficiency (BUS-K 201 or equivalent).
- POLS-Y 211: Introduction to Law with a grade of C or higher.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours of General Education (including the classes listed above). General Education classes can be taken in conjunction with Paralegal Studies coursework.
Student Consumer Information for the Certificate in Paralegal Studies. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at, http://apps.usss.iu.edu/disclosures/?plan=IN01.22.0302.
Required Courses (9 credit hours):
- POLS Y221 Legal Research and Writing for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS Y222 Litigation for Paralegal Studies I (3 cr.)
- POLS Y232 Professional Responsibility for Paralegals (3 cr.)
Elective Courses
(18 credit hours from the following):- POLS Y223 Litigation for Paralegal Studies II (3 cr.)
- POLS P324 Property Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P325 Contract Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P326 Tort Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P327 Criminal Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P328 Family Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P329 Estate Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P330 Bankruptcy Law for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P331 Advanced Legal Writing for Paralegal Studies (3 cr.)
- POLS P333 Business Associations for Paralegals (3 cr.)
- POLS Y485 Field Experience in Paralegal Studies (1-5 cr.)
Optional elective courses may select up to 2 of these online technology courses to count toward the 12 elective credits:
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- INFO I330 Legal and Social Informatics (3 cr.)
- INFO I350 Foundations in Legal Informatics (3 cr.)
- INFO I 410 Electronic Discovery (3 cr.)
- INFO I 470 Litigation Support Systems and Courtroom Presentations (3 cr.)
- NEWM N480 Technology and the Law (3 cr.)