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Legal Studies

The study of law isn't just for lawyers anymore. Maryville's Legal Studies program will train you as a paralegal and will certainly keep you on track for law school.

 

Program Features

The Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies is a four-year program designed to prepare new entrants into the paralegal field, or to help practicing paralegals enhance their careers. Paralegals, or legal assistants, are qualified through education, training and work experience to perform legal work under the direction and supervision of an attorney. The program also provides an opportunity for students with an Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies to continue their education and obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies.

The goal of the program is to combine specialized legal training courses with a strong liberal arts foundation. The curriculum is made up of a core of legal knowledge, as well as courses that emphasize critical thinking, communication, organizational skills, and practical, hands-on work.  For more information about this exciting and unique program please view our website at www.legalstudiesmaryville.com.

Lambda Epsilon Chi
Lambda Epsilon Chi is a national honor society in paralegal/legal assistant studies.

The Purpose of Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) is to recognize those who have demonstrated superior academic performance in an established program of paralegal/legal assistant studies.

To be eligible for initiation into the Maryville chapter of LEX, you must have completed 18 hours of paralegal study, including Legal Research & Writing II and 86 credit hours total. You must also possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a grade point average of 3.6 in your paralegal courses.

Additionally, you must be a member of the Maryville University Legal Association (MULA). Other factors that may be considered include extracurricular activities, membership in voluntary or professional associations, employment obligations, leadership characteristics, superior grade point average and any other factor the Selection Committee deems appropriate. The number of inductees never exceeds 20 percent of all eligible students.

Senior Seminar and Internship
You must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in legal studies courses, including a senior seminar and an internship. Senior Seminar provides an opportunity for you to assess and enhance your core competencies as a paralegal. In your internship, you will work under the direct supervision of an attorney. You will then be required to assemble a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills development.

Advisory Committee
The Legal Studies program has an Advisory Committee consisting of lawyers and legal assistants from small and large firms in both the public and the private sector. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to:

  • Assist in developing effective student recruiting methods and literature  
  • Evaluate and make recommendations for the curriculum
  • Facilitate MULA outreach to the legal community and the public by establishing relationships with the organized bar and judiciary, as well as paralegal associations
  • Recommend prospective faculty members and develop evaluation methods of adjunct faculty members
  • Help in the placement of students in appropriate internship positions and evaluate the effectiveness of the internship program
  • Develop contacts with employers to facilitate the placement of graduates
  • Assist with assessment efforts to ensure the program meets the needs of students and the legal community  

Professional/Career Opportunities
Paralegals also have a wide variety of employment opportunities in private law offices, corporations, government, real estate and title companies, bank and trust agencies and judicial offices. The work of a professional paralegal is becoming increasingly invaluable because of the demanding schedules of most attorneys today. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the paralegal profession will grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016.

Degree Offerings and Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies

Minor in Legal Studies

 

Admission Requirements
If you're interested in joining our Legal Studies program, you need to meet the general admissions requirements for the University. We recommend that you complete a variety of high school or college prep courses in English, science, math, social studies and foreign language before applying.