This program aims to provide a breadth of coverage for students to succeed as paralegals within any environment and allow for continued learning in workplace settings. Lander's curriculum will also prepare a student for graduate education - including, but not limited to, law school.
A Successful Career Begins Here
Earning a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies is an excellent option for anyone wishing for a successful career as a paralegal - in a business, law firm or government agency.
Attorneys realize that persons with a bachelor's degree have greater writing, research, and critical thinking skills, so employers now prefer this credential, and some even require a bachelor's degree. This shift continues the professionalization of this field by state bar associations for many years. This program will prepare graduates to work in the legal profession in private enterprises such as law firms, insurance companies, banks and mortgage companies, or government agencies as a paralegal.
Earn Your Degree Quickly
For students who have earned an associate's degree, this program will take just two years to complete. (If less than 60 hours of coursework has been earned, more time is needed.) Classes are offered in fall, spring, and summer terms, and the time to degree depends upon how much coursework a student takes each term.
We are currently planning 16-week schedules for fall and spring courses and 6-week schedules for summer courses. Lander has the ability to offer 8-week courses during fall and spring as well as courses across the entire summer. If there is sufficient demand for these options, they will be provided.
Online, On Campus or Hybrid Delivery
This program is offered on Lander's main campus in Greenwood, at the University Center of Greenville (UCG), as well as online.
Most students will pursue this program at the University Center of Greenville (UCG) and online, but all three options are available. Courses at the UCG are in a hybrid mode, but a full course load of 12-15 hours would likely involve some online courses for progress toward completing the degree in two years. Many more courses have face-to-face options on the main campus, but hybrid and online courses are offered as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 | CREDIT HOURS |
||
---|---|---|---|
A. Core Skills |
|
||
ENGL 101 | Writing and Inquiry I | 3 | |
ENGL 102 | Writing and Inquiry II | 3 | |
Approved Mathematics | 3 | ||
B. Humanities and Fine Arts |
|||
PHIL 103 |
Logic |
3 | |
Approved Humanities and Fine Arts elective |
3 | ||
C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives (6 hours selected from 2 different disciplines) |
6 | ||
D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | |||
Approved Science or Mathematics | 3 | ||
Approved Lab Science | 4 | ||
E. Founding Documents of the United States | |||
POLS 101 |
American National Government |
3 | |
F. World Cultures | 3 | ||
G. LINK 101 | 1 | ||
University Requirement | |||
FALS 101 | 15 FALS-approved events (Temporarily suspended) |
0 |
|
Total General Education Requirements | 35 |
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
---|---|---|
ACCT 201 | Financial Accounting Principles | 3 |
BA 251 | Business Law | 3 |
WRIT 275 | Business Communications | 3 |
PHIL 302 | Ethics | 3 |
LEG 308 | Law, Politics, & Society | 3 |
LEG 499 | Advanced Legal Research | 3 |
POLS 386 | State & Local Government | 3 |
MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
---|---|---|
Law (select three) LEG 311, LEG 312, LEG 313, LEG 366, LEG 371 |
9 | |
Technical Writing (select one) ENGL 350, ENGL 373, ENGL 450 |
3 |
MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES* | CREDIT HOURS |
|
---|---|---|
200-level LEG electives |
12 |
|
Total Major Program Requirements | 45 | |
Additional Electives | 40 | |
TOTAL FOR BS DEGREE | 120 |
*These four courses will be offered by an accredited Associate's degree program in Paralegal Studies (preferably with endorsement by the American Bar Association). Three specific courses are recommended: Introduction to Law & Ethics, Legal Writing, and Legal Bibliography/ Legal Research.