146
Discipline-Specifi c Outcomes
1. Th eory and Principles: Defi ne the basic theories, elements, and principles of law.
2. Research: Find relevant primary and secondary legal sources in electronic and print media and apply them to specifi c fact scenarios using prescribed analysis and argument.
3. Investigation: Apply investigative techniques to support the development of a legal argument.
4. Communications: Produce communications using theoretical and practical concepts from specialized areas of law.
5. Critical Th inking: Evaluate the role of legal theory and practice in the practice of societal institutions.
Curriculum
Courses Credits
BACHELOR’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
CORE REQUIREMENTS
100/200-level: Communication Course 5 100/200-level: Mathematics Course 5 200-level: Communication Course 5 300/400-level: Arts and Humanities Course 6 300/400-level: Physical Science Course 6 300/400-level: Social Science Course 6 TOTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS 33
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
LS 100: Eight Skills of the Effective Legal Studies Student OR CS 121: Pathways to Academic Success* 5 IT 133: Software Applications OR
PA 230: Introduction to Legal Technology† 5 LS 102: Introduction to Law 5 PA 165: Introduction to Torts 5 PA 201: Introduction to Legal Research 5 PA 205: Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing 5 PA 253: Legal Ethics 5 100/200-level: Major Elective 5 LS 305: Constitutional Law 6 LS 308: Law and Society 6 LS 490: Legal Philosophy 6 300/400-level: Major Electives 24 LS 493: BSLS Capstone (Internship Option) OR
LS 498: BSLS Capstone (Research Option) 6 TOTAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 88
OPEN ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS‡
100/200-level: Open Electives 35 300/400-level: Open Electives 24 TOTAL OPEN ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS 59
TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 180
Curriculum
Courses Credits
ADVANCED START BACHELOR’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
ASSOCIATE’S/BACHELOR’S DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Comparable Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree§
TOTAL PRIOR DEGREE CREDITS 90
PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS
IT 133: Software Applications OR PA 230: Introduction to Legal Technology† LS 102: Introduction to Law
PA 201: Introduction to Legal Research
CORE REQUIREMENTS
300/400-level: Arts and Humanities Course 6 300/400-level: Physical Science Course 6 300/400-level: Social Science Course 6 TOTAL CORE REQUIREMENTS 18
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
LS 305: Constitutional Law 6 LS 308: Law and Society 6 LS 490: Legal Philosophy 6 300/400-level: Major Electives 24 LS 493: BSLS Capstone (Internship Option) OR
LS 498: BSLS Capstone (Research Option) 6 TOTAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 48
OPEN ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS
300/400-level: Open Electives‡ 24 TOTAL OPEN ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS 24
TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 180
Note: Students should be aware that, depending on the program of enrollment and campus scheduling, some courses will only be available online. Onsite course scheduling decisions are at the discretion of the campus.
Not all programs or courses are offered at all locations.
*Online students will take the program-specifi c Eight Skills of the Effective Student course. †Online students will take PA 230: Introduction to Legal Technology.
‡ Eligible students who choose to complete an accelerated master’s degree option will take four graduate-level courses in addition to selected undergraduate electives.
§ Comparability is determined by a course-by-course examination of the prior associate’s or bachelor’s degree against the core requirements of a Kaplan University associate’s degree.
Th e Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies program is designed to prepare individuals for a career as a paralegal as well as for advancement if they already work in the fi eld. Th e program provides the student with a broad knowledge base and a strong foundation in law and paralegal skills. Th e baccalaureate program is designed to combine the technical skills of various specialized areas of law with research, practical, technological, and analytical skills. In addition to the areas covered in the associate’s-level program, the bachelor’s degree covers the fi elds of real estate law, family law, tort law, and advanced legal writing and includes paralegal electives and general education requirements at the 300/400-level.
Students who enroll in this program may pursue occupational advancement or seek employment in legal environments including private law fi rms, corporations, and government agencies. A paralegal’s duties may include providing support during courtroom proceedings, interviewing and investigation, preparing documents, managing technology, and researching legal issues.
Th is program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in the fi eld, or for jobs in related fi elds, the specifi c job titles of which may not be represented in the program title. Although Kaplan University will assist students with job placement, fi nding a job is the individual responsibility of the student. Th e University does not guarantee that any student will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all.
While the program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate programs. Th e Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies program consists of a minimum of 180 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be awarded a bachelor of science degree.
ACCELERATED MASTER’S DEGREE OPTIONS
High-potential students who are interested in fast-tracking their educational goal of earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree should consider the accelerated Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Environmental Policy, Master of Science in Fire and Emergency Services, Master of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, or Master of Science in Legal Studies option. Eligible students will work toward completion of the Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies program while simultaneously completing core courses in their graduate program of choice. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program, students may apply for entry to the applicable master’s degree program. Once accepted, students will transfer in the graduate-level courses completed as part of the undergraduate program and will complete the remaining courses to earn a master’s degree.
ADVANCED START DEGREE OPTION
Kaplan University off ers the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies degree option for students who have earned a comparable associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college. Th e advanced start degree option is an innovative program that combines the career-oriented focus of a 2-year degree with the academic curriculum of a 4-year program. Upon completion of an associate’s degree, students have the option of joining the workforce while continuing toward a bachelor’s degree. Th e combination of career courses and general education in the fi rst 2 years of study allows students the
opportunity to join the workforce with the skills necessary to succeed while pursuing their lifelong learning aims.
Associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and credits considered to be remedial, occupational, or specialized may not be accepted for transfer under this option.
Th e University has expanded the advanced start option to include students who have received a bachelor’s degree but wish to change careers and receive a second bachelor’s degree.
Qualifi ed associate’s or bachelor’s degrees are transferred into the advanced start degree option as a block of 90 quarter credit hours. Any remaining prior credits are evaluated individually for potential transfer toward appropriate degree requirements.
In addition to possessing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, students applying for admission under this option must also complete all prerequisites required for the bachelor’s degree courses. Th us, students may need to complete more than the minimum of 90 quarter credit hours to complete the advanced start bachelor of science degree option.
Program Outcomes
General Education Literacy Outcomes
1. Communications: Demonstrate college-level communication through a variety of media.
2. Mathematics: Apply quantitative reasoning to real-world situations. 3. Science: Analyze how scientifi c principles are applied in real-world contexts. 4. Social Science: Critically evaluate the social or psychological issues that
impact human behavior.
5. Arts and Humanities: Recognize human potential through a study of human expressions.
6. Research and Information: Apply methods for fi nding, evaluating, and using resources.
7. Ethics: Identify, apply, and evaluate ethical reasoning. 8. Critical Th inking: Apply critical thinking to real-life situations. 9. Technology Literacy: Use information technology to solve real-world
problems and communicate eff ectively.
Discipline-Specifi c Outcomes
1. Assist Clients: Analyze data to ethically assist clients throughout the legal process.
2. Perform Legal Research: Locate and analyze relevant primary and secondary legal sources in electronic and print media.
3. Perform Investigative Functions: Use investigative techniques to gather information from a variety of sources.
4. Perform Communications Functions: Communicate with participants throughout the legal process.
5. Implement Legal Procedures: Manage electronic and print information. 6. Assist in Litigation Preparation: Draft and organize information for
trial purposes.
7. Prepare Legal Documents for Clients