UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Certificate in Paralegal Studies

Also available online

The paralegal studies certificate focuses on the legal concepts, procedures and skills used in a wide variety of legal environments. The program addresses the organization, functions and processes of institutions in the U.S. legal system, roles and issues in the paralegal field, legal ethics and selected specialty areas. The curriculum emphasizes important skills, including legal analysis, communication, legal research, computer competence, legal drafting, investigation, organization and specialized legal skills. With appropriate choice of courses, this certificate may be completed while pursuing the Bachelor of Science in legal studies. (However, students may not pursue the paralegal studies certificate within the associate of arts curriculum in legal studies.) No more than 12 credits in certificate courses may be earned through transfer or prior-learning credit.

Total Credits: 60

General education and other college coursework (36)

This requirement may be fulfilled through transfer credit, and up to 30 credits may be earned through credit by examination or prior-learning portfolio credit. Total must include 18 credits in general education courses covering at least three different disciplines and WRTG 101/101X (unless the student already has earned an associate’s or bachelor’s degree before taking the first legal studies course). No more than six 1-credit courses may be applied toward this certificate.

Note: Courses may be applied to only one certificate; some prerequisites may need to be fulfilled before beginning certificate courses.

Four required legal studies courses:

A general practice procedure and legal skills elective chosen from the following (3):

A general practice substantive law elective chosen from the following (3):

A supporting elective or electives totaling 3 credits chosen from any LGST course (3)

A supporting elective or electives totaling 3 credits chosen from any LGST course (3)