Academic Program
Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's Degree
As defined by the American Bar Association, "A paralegal is 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 studies program at the University of Cincinnati is designed to prepare graduates for a variety of paralegal job opportunities. The utilization of paralegals improves the efficiency, economy and availability of legal services. A paralegal performs substantive legal work under the direct supervision of an attorney. Paralegals must have knowledge and understanding of various legal concepts.
Responsibilities most often assigned to paralegals include maintaining client files, drafting correspondence, performing factual research and legal research, monitoring deadlines, maintaining conflicts-of-interest systems, drafting, investigating and analyzing documents, and acting as liaison with clients and others. Experienced paralegals often accompany counsel during trial and help with document management and organization, witness preparation and research. These tasks may be performed in a variety of legal areas that include probate, real estate, family law, bankruptcy, corporate, litigation and intellectual property.
Prospective students should be aware that paralegal education is not the equivalent of a law school education. Graduates of paralegal programs are not qualified or eligible to take the bar examination. Academic credit for paralegal courses is not transferable for advanced standing in law school.
Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.
Freshman Admission Requirements
All incoming freshmen entering in the 2010-11 academic year must meet one of the following requirements:
- Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 17 ACT or 820 SAT
- Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
- Graduate in the top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT
Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including:
- College preparatory English (4 units)
- College preparatory math (3 units)
- Science (2 units)
- Social science (2 units)
- Foreign language (2 units same language)
- Fine arts (1 unit)
- Additional units from above (2 units)
Transfer Admission Requirements
All transfer students must have a 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
Application Information
Program Code: 18BS-PARA
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall quarter - June 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.
Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall quarter - August 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.
Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to Raymond Walters College or Clermont College.
UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that quarter.Program Requirements
Duration
Full-time program duration: 4 years
Majoring Details
The paralegal program is part of the School of Criminal Justice located in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH). The main goal of the program is to provide the student with a quality education in paralegal studies based in an ethical, technological and contemporary understanding of the law that is responsive to the needs of the legal community.
The courses in the program teach practical job skills in conjunction with the underlying legal theory. Classes are taught by experienced attorneys and paralegals and offer practical, hands-on legal training. The curriculum covers legal research and writing, litigation, ethics, contracts, business organizations and torts. Courses develop students' critical thinking, communication, computational, computer and organizational skills and competency to handle ethical issues. The program culminates in an experiential learning component: the practicum.
Students enrolled in the associate and bachelor's degree programs will take a combination of general education classes along with legal specialty courses. Those in the bachelor's degree program will also choose a focus area or official minor of 30 credit hours. Students in the post-baccalaureate certificate program will take only legal specialty courses, since they have completed their general education requirements.
Students may begin the program at any quarter and choose day or evening classes, along with some weekend classes. Fall quarter is the preferred quarter to begin; however, students can begin any quarter. Not all legal courses are offered every quarter or year and some are sequential. Completion of the program options vary depending on whether students attend full or part time. The associate degree can be completed in two years, the bachelor's in four and the certificate in one year, if the student attends full time.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:
- Complete all required course work and program requirements.
- Attain at least a 2.0 grade point average.
- Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
- Meet the college's residency requirement of 45 credit hours.
- File formal application for the degree by the posted quarter of graduation deadline.
Accreditation
The paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association.Student Success Factors
Paralegals are expected to write clearly and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Paralegals must possess a high degree of motivation and analytical reasoning capability. They need to pay attention to detail. Candidates should also be responsible, well-organized, mature individuals who are sincerely interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal. They must be trustworthy and discreet. Paralegals, like attorneys, are required to hold a position of trust with their client. As a paralegal, you must respect attorney-client confidentiality. Paralegals must possess good "people skills" and be able to work as part of the legal team. Computer skills are essential.
Career Possibilities
The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the paralegal profession to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. Employment growth stems from law firms and other employers with legal staffs increasingly hiring paralegals to lower the cost and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services. The employment opportunities for program graduates are excellent. Graduates of UC's program are currently working as paralegals in large and small law firms, corporate legal departments, governmental agencies, banks, real estate companies and legal publishing companies.Core Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.
If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
General Education | ||
| English Composition | 15-ENGL 101, 102 | 6 |
| Intermediate Composition | 15-ENGL-289 | 3 |
| Writing elective | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Information technology | 6 | |
| Natural science | 6 | |
| Diversity & culture | 3 | |
| Social & ethical issues | 3 | |
| Communications | 15-COMM-171 | 3 |
| Philosophy elective | 3 | |
| Humanities electives | 6 | |
| Social science electives | 9 | |
| Historical perspective electives | 6 | |
| Distribution areas | 24 | |
| Focus Area | 30 | |
Paralegal Concentration | ||
| Introduction to Paralegal Profession | 18-PARA-180 | 3 |
| Estates and Probate I | 18-PARA-241 | 3 |
| Domestic Relations I | 18-PARA-251 | 3 |
| Litigation I, II, III | 18-PARA-256, 257, 258 | 9 |
| Basic Legal Principles | 18-PARA-260 | 3 |
| Legal Research I, II | 18-PARA-261, 262 | 6 |
| Tax Law for Paralegals | 18-PARA-270 | 3 |
| Administrative Litigation | 18-PARA-272 | 3 |
| Corporate Law and Business Organizations | 18-PARA-275 | 3 |
| Real Estate for Paralegals | 18-PARA-280 | 3 |
| Paralegal Practicum | 18-PARA-290 | 3 |
| Interviewing and Investigation | 18-PARA-321 | 3 |
| Advanced Legal Research/Writing | 18-PARA-401 | 3 |
| Introduction to Law Practice Management | 18-PARA-410 | 3 |
| Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility | 18-PARA-421 | 3 |
| Advanced Paralegal Seminar (Capstone) | 18-PARA-471 | 3 |
| Choose one: Constitutional Law, Constitution Issues & Procedures or Constitutional Law | 32POL-251, 18-CJ-372; 15POL-321, 322, 323 | |
| Paralegal specialty electives | 9 | |
| TOTAL | 183 |
The curriculum provided herein is for the guidance of students. The college, however, reserves the right to change course curriculum without prior notice.
The provisions of this listing do not constitute an express or implied contract between the college and any member of the student body, faculty or general public.
The displayed information is the latest available from the academic program which is maintained by the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Student Services Center.
Focus Areas
There is no minor offered in paralegal studies. Students may follow the 30 hour requirements for a paralegal focus. However, that option is NOT approved by the American Bar Association. If students complete the required courses for the 45 hour paralegal certificate along with their bachelor's degree, it is ABA approved.
Opportunities
In choosing a paralegal program, there are many variables to consider. It is particularly important to consider the program's reputation, accreditation/approval, services provided by the program -- including career counseling and job placement -- the program's ties to the legal community, the curriculum and the program's administration and faculty.
UC’s paralegal studies program was established in 1980 and is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). Approved by the ABA in 1990, it was the first program in the Tri-state area to gain such approval. More than 1000 paralegal programs exist in the United States alone, but only around 240 have met the requirements to be approved by the ABA. ABA approval has served as a benchmark for many employers who hire paralegals. The ABA requires thorough self-studies and periodic site visits to the program, which ensures quality in faculty, curriculum, advisory boards, student services, library holdings and resources.
UC’s paralegal studies program enjoys an excellent reputation and has meaningful ties to the legal community. Its advisory board is made up of experienced attorneys, paralegals, paralegal managers, educators and other legal professionals who provide valuable insight into what is expected in the workforce. Graduates are highly sought after by law firms, corporations and government agencies in the Tri-state area. Placement rates are excellent, with approximately 95 percent of graduates placed within three months of graduation. The program coordinator, along with UC’s Career Development Center, is available to assist students in resum? writing, interviewing skills and placement. In addition to the Career Development Center, assistance for paralegal students is offered in the following areas: orientation, tutoring, academic counseling and financial aid.
The paralegal studies program prepares graduates at three levels: associate degree, bachelor's degree or post baccalaureate professional certificate. The certificate is available to those students who already hold a bachelor's degree OR students who are already matriculated in another bachelor's degree program. UC paralegal students benefit from an on-campus law library, faculty who are practicing attorneys and small class size. Many of the paralegal classes are offered in well-equipped computer labs.
UC’s paralegal program requires students to complete a practicum (internship) as a part of the curriculum. The practicum enables a student to utilize skills acquired in the program and to gain practical on-the-job experience. Practicums are available in a variety of settings, including private law firms, offices of a public defender or attorney general, banks, corporate legal departments, legal aid organizations and many government agencies. Students must attain at least a grade of "C" in all legal specialty coursework and the permission of the program coordinator to participate in the practicum.
The faculty of paralegal classes consists of experienced attorneys or paralegals. Instructors of legal classes are selected on the basis of their knowledge and expertise in the area of law taught, as well as their demonstrated commitment to the education and role of paralegal students.
For further information on UC’s paralegal program, please visit the program Web site: www.criminaljustice.cech.uc.edu/paralegal