
Overview
The most common level of paralegal education is the associate's (two year) degree such as the Legal Studies program from Southern Utah University . Courses as part of SUU's program are listed in this website under the heading, Legal Studies Curriculum and Degrees. They are designed to prepare students for this exciting and challenging career. Legal Studies (LEGL) classes are offered online so as to be available to nontraditional students and those living outside the Cedar City area.
The Career of Paralegal
A paralegal (also referred to as a Legal Assistant) is defined by the American Bar Association as "a person, qualified by education, training or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible."
The paralegal profession is growing at rates higher than most careers. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections, the profession is projected to grow by 18% during the years 2010 - 2020.
Paralegals perform many functions under the supervision of attorneys. The National Association of Legal Assistants states some of these duties to include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Conduct client interviews and maintain general contact with the client, so long as the client is aware of the status and function of the legal assistant, and the legal assistant works under the supervision of the attorney.
- Locate and interview witnesses.
- Conduct investigations and statistical and documentary research.
- Conduct legal research.
- Draft legal documents, correspondence and pleadings.
- Summarize depositions, interrogatories and testimony.
- Attend executions of wills, real estate closings, depositions, court or administrative hearings and trials with the attorney.
- Author and sign correspondence provided the legal assistant status is clearly indicated and the correspondence does not contain independent legal opinions or legal advice.
- Professionally, a paralegal's time for substantive legal work (as opposed to clerical or administrative work) is billed to clients much the same way as an attorney's time, but at a lower hourly rate.
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Visit official programme websiteProgramme Structure
Courses include:
- Law
- Legal Ethics and Professionalism
- Civil Procedure
- Legal Research and Writing
- Legal Interviewing, Investigation, and Case Prep
- Family Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
Check out the full curriculum
Visit official programme websiteKey information
Duration
- Full-time
- 24 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before , International
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- Starting
- Apply before , International
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Language
Credits
60-72
Delivered
Disciplines
International Law Business Law Legal Studies View 88 other Masters in Business Law in United StatesExplore more key information
Visit official programme websiteAcademic requirements
English requirements
Other requirements
General requirements
- Application - pay required $60 application fee (U.S. currency only), $35 for returning students
- English Proficiency - Proof of English proficiency is required for all applicants whose first language is not English
- Transcripts - Official transcripts (record of courses taken and grades received) from each high school, college, and university attended must be submitted
- Passport - Please provide a copy of the photo page of your passport
- Finances - International students are required to demonstrate that funds are available for the first year of study
Make sure you meet all requirements
Visit official programme websiteTuition Fee
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International
20822 USD/yearTuition FeeBased on the original amount of 20822 USD per year and a duration of 24 months.
Funding
Studyportals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.
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