Paralegal Studies - B.A. Download to print

The Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies is approved by the American Bar Association. This program combines a liberal arts/general education background with law-related specialty courses to provide students with communication, critical reasoning and analytical skills; knowledge of the legal system; and practical hands-on experience. A Paralegal Studies minor is also available.
 

The U.S. Department of Labor continues to predict that paralegal jobs will be growing faster than average. The legal market has a high demand for skilled paralegals with a four year degree, from ABA approved institutions.  Kent State graduates are prepared for careers in private law offices, public agencies, corporations, legal services, and law-related occupations in corporations, banks, and other business entities.  The rate of job placement for graduates has been high.  Kent State graduates are employed by some of the most prestigious law firms in the country. All students in Paralegal Studies must complete an internship course in a legal setting prior to graduation which may result in a permanent position. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The use of paralegals in law firms and other law related settings greatly enhances the accessibility of legal services. Therefore, employers are placing an increased emphasis on the hiring of paralegals to perform tasks that many young attorneys can perform. Although private law firms are the largest consumer of paralegal services many legal departments of corporations and government entities also utilize paralegals. For example, estate and trust departments of large banks, health care entities, insurance companies and real estate related organizations are continually finding that employing paralegals is an effective way to perform legal services.
 

• Private Law Firms
• Law Departments of Corporations
• Banks
• Insurance Companies
• Government Agencies
• Legal Services/Legal Aid Offices
• Special Interest Groups/Associations
• Criminal Law Offices
• Freelance or Independent Paralegals
• Service Companies
• Consulting Firms

For more information for career opportunities please visit  www.kent.edu/sociology/paralegal
 

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
 

Minimum 121 total credit hours and 42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.000 GPA in major required for graduation.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze a legal problem as well as identify and evaluate alternative solutions.

2. Formulate logical solutions to problems and construct logical arguments in support of specific positions as well as evaluate solutions and arguments.

3. Determine which areas of law are relevant to a particular situation.

4. Apply principles of professional ethics to specific factual situations.

5. Identify interrelationships among cases, statutes, regulations, and other legal authorities.

6. Apply recognized legal authority to a specific factual situation.

7. Analyze factual situations to determine when it is appropriate to apply exceptions to general legal rules.

8. Apply exceptions to general legal rules.

9. Distinguish evidentiary facts from other material and/or controlling facts.

10. Identify factual omissions and inconsistencies.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities, for more information contact the Office of International Affairs.

American Bar Association at the Kent Campus only
 

Kent State Paralegal Organization