Course variations

Course summary

This program is designed to provide graduates with the full set of knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the rapidly evolving paralegal profession. The classic values of a liberal arts education are added to the critical thinking skills of the legal profession, producing graduates who possess both the traditional breadth of understanding of persons educated in liberal arts, and the depth of paralegal studies. Quinnipiac's ABA-approved program is planned and taught by lawyers to provide students with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the legal system. The education focuses on particular core areas of the law and on developing specific legal research, writing and critical thinking skills, all within a framework of the ethical and statutory constraints confronting the paralegal profession. Hands-on computer classes provide students with exposure to the latest legal research techniques, including the use of nationwide online databases. Through the legal studies internship, students are able to integrate their class work with practical office experience. This combination of theoretical class work with real-world experience, along with exposure to Quinnipiac's traditional liberal arts and business courses (including a minor in a related area of study), prepares legal studies graduates for a broad range of professional opportunities. Many graduates work as paralegals in the public and private sector and in other law-related positions. Other graduates have continued their education and become attorneys, teachers and business owners.

Program modules

This course covers the following modules, LE 100 Orientation to Legal Studies 1, LE 101 Introduction to the American Legal System 3, LE 208 Legal Research 4, LE210 Legal Writing 3, LE 301-302 Civil Procedures I and II 6, LE 480-481 Legal Internship I and II 8, Elective courses: (12 credits), Four electives chosen from the following. At least nine credits must be at the 300-level, LE 115 Criminal Law 3, LE 200 Special Topics 3, LE 250 Gender and the Law 3, LE 260 Trial Techniques 3, LE 300 Special Topics 3, LE 310 Elder Law 3, LE 311 Administrative Agencies 3, LE 312 Family Law 3, LE 315 Wills, Probate and Estate Administration 3, LE 320 Land Transfers and Closing Procedures 3, LE 325 Alternate Dispute Resolution 3, LE 330 Business Entities 3, LE 340 The Constitution and the Court 3, LE 345 Intellectual Property 3, LE 350 Federal Indian Law and Policy 3.

Entry requirement for international students

Students from the high school should have a college preparatory sequence which includes at least four years of English, three years of mathematics (physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing and physician assistant applicants should have four years) and two or more years of science (all health science applicants are expected to have biology and chemistry; physical therapy applicants should also have physics, two years of social science, two years of a foreign language, three academic electives and High school grades in these subjects and the SAT I Reasoning Test or ACT scores are important factors in the selection process. A minimum score of 550 (78 Internet based or 213 in the CBT computer-based TOEFL) is required for admission.

Qualification

Bachelor degree

Awarding body

Quinnipiac University

Department name

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Legal Studies