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.

Paralegal Studies is located in 113 Bowman Hall (Kent Campus).
Tel: 330-672-8977
Web: www2.kent.edu/cas/paralegal/

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

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Admission Requirements at the Kent Campus: The freshman admission policy at the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon the following: cumulative grade point average, ACT and/or SAT scores, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends.

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.
 

For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

Minimum 120 total credit hours and 42 upper-division credit hours. Minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA and 2.000 major GPA.

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.

American Bar Association
Standing Committee on Legal Assistants
321 North Clark Street
19th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654-7598
312-988-5000

(Kent Campus only)