Stevenson University

Accelerated Paralegal Studies

Bachelor of Science

Stevenson University's innovative Accelerated Bachelor's Degree is designed for working adults who want to complete their degree quickly and expand their career horizons.

Stevenson's Paralegal Studies program was the first in the state, and one of the first in the nation to be approved by the American Bar Association.  Paralegals must be intelligent, have logical and analytical minds, possess organizational skills, and pay attention to detail.  Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law;  however, working under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are vital members of the legal team.  They perform such functions as:

• Research and writing
  
• Gathering information electronically
  
• Investigating cases
  
• Interviewing witnesses
  
• Drafting pleadings
  
• Managing trial preparation and litigation support
  
• Drafting contracts and real estate documents
  
• Managing estates and guardianships
  
• Preparing intellectual property applications
  
• Computing bankruptcy schedules
  
• Preparing tax returns

Why should you consider SU's Paralegal program?  Our program:

• Emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and practical paralegal skills
  
• Incorporates the latest technology throughout the curriculum
  
• Provides a wide range of legal specialty courses in many areas of law
  
• Provides opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships, clinics, and cooperative work experience

SU's paralegal program is an excellent pre-law option:

• Students can combine law classes with liberal arts courses to develop critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills
  
• Students may take an LSAT preparation course as part of the curriculum
  
• Students can consult with a dedicated pre-law advisor in the law school application and admission process
  
• Graduates who attend law school find this program gives them a competitive advantage

Most of the Paralegal courses are offered in the accelerated format where students will be expected to complete many of their assignments outside of class using the web, e-mail, and possible meetings with other students. The accelerated curriculum is scheduled in eight meetings over the semester on alternate Saturday morning or afternoons or Sunday afternoons; or in eight-week sessions, when classes meet once a week on weekday evenings.

Students can complete this degree in approximately two years depending on the number of credits transferred into the program and the number of courses taken during the academic year. Stevenson University will accept up to 90 credits from a regionally accredited four-year institution.

• Faculty
• Catalog
• Tuition and Fees
• Admissions Requirements
• Spring 2009 Course Offerings
• Credit for Prior Learning
• Career Architecture & Paralegal Studies
• Career Choices
• Paralegal Honor Society
• Paralegal Studies FAQs