Undergraduate
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Law in Liberal Arts
Paralegals play an increasingly important part in the legal profession, undertaking critical research and support work for attorneys. The Law in Liberal Arts degree, offered by the Department of Political Science, is important preparation for anyone considering a career in law, and provides students with grounding in all the critical elements of the legal profession. Adding an important real-world element to the certificate, all the classes are taught by practicing attorneys. Students earning the law in liberal arts degree will also recieve a paralegal certificate. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except where permitted by law.
In addition to the basic School of Liberal Arts requirements (listed elsewhere in this bulletin), the law in liberal arts major must do the following:
- Complete 33 credit hours in law in liberal arts with at least a grade of C in each course. Those 33 credit hours are part of the 120 credit hours needed for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Comlete the following specific requirements:
Required Legal Specialty Courses (15 cr.):
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- POLS Y211 Introduction to Law
- POLS Y221 Legal research and Writing for Paralegals
- POLS Y222 Litigation for Paralegals
- POLS Y223 Litigation for Paralegals II
- POLS Y232 Professional Responsibility for Paralegals
Elective Legal Specialty Classes (12 cr.):
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- POLS P324 Property Law for Paralegals
- POLS P325 Contract Law for Paralegals
- POLS P326 Tort Law for Paralegals
- POLS P327 Criminal Law for Paralegals
- POLS P328 Family Law for Paralegals
- POLS P329 Estate Law for Paralegals
- POLS P330 Bankrupcy Law for Paralegals
- POLS P333 Business Associations for Paralegals
- POLS Y480 Undergraduate Readings in Political Science
- POLS Y485 Field Experience in Paralegals
POLS Y211 is a prerequisite for all the above courses.
Optional Elective Courses - You may select up to two of these on-line technology courses to count toward the 12 elective credits:
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- INFO I330 Legal and Social Informatics of Security
- INFO I350 Foundations in Legal Informatics
- INFO I410 Electronic Discovery
- INFO I470 Litigation Support Systems and Courtroom Presentation
- NEWM N480 Technology and the Law
Perspectives Elective (3 cr.):
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- HIST A421American Legal History
- PHIL P383 Philosophy of Law
- POLS Y304 Constitutional Law
- POLS Y305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties
- POLS Y367 International Law
- POLS Y380 / WOST W300 Women in the Law
- BUS L203 Commercial Law I
- PSY B375 Psychology and the Law
- SPEA V376 Law and Public Policy
- SPEA V408 Community and the Constitution
Senior Capsone Requirement (3 cr.):
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- POLS P431 Advanced Legal Writing for Paralegals
A cumulative GPS of C (2.0) or higher is required; 30 credit hours must be at the 300-400 level. At least 26 credit hours must be completed after admission to the School of Liberal Arts and at least 12 credit hours must be completed in residence in English. In cases where one course fulfills multiple requirements, the credits count only one time.
