Legal Studies

The goals of the Legal Studies program are:

• Paralegal majors will demonstrate an understanding of the substantive and procedural areas of law.
• Paralegal majors will demonstrate an understanding of the paralegal profession and its ethical dimensions.
• Paralegal majors will demonstrate effective legal research and writing skills.
• Paralegal majors will become proficient in the use of technology used in the legal workplace.
• The CSM Paralegal Program will be recognized as a center of excellence for paralegal education.

The student is introduced to the various topics in law and to the culture of the legal profession. In fact, the student receives instruction in many of the same areas that are required in most law schools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, law offices of all sizes and in all practice categories are employing more paralegals than ever before.

The paralegal generally works as part of a legal team in a law office, in government, or in a corporate, nonprofit or business setting. The paralegal functions as a case coordinator, researcher, one who interviews clients and witnesses, accumulates evidence, and prepares legal documents. The paralegal is involved in virtually all aspects of the legal process, but they work under the supervision of an attorney. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Transfer students are expected to take the majority of their credit hours of their major courses at College of Saint Mary. Transfer credits will be evaluated carefully to assure comparability in nature, content and level of credit. Transfer credits in the student’s major will be limited to fourteen hours for bachelor students, nine hours for associate students and six hours for Certificate students. The number of law school transfer credits accepted for the 3+3 program will be evaluated based on the first-year curriculum of the particular school. The University only accepts transfer credits in law courses from American Bar Association approved schools.

CLEP and challenge examinations will not be given for paralegal courses.

College of Saint Mary offers three ABA approved degree program options as routes to a career in the paralegal field: a Bachelor’s degree, an Associate’s degree, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s degree in another field and want to earn a Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Legal studies majors may not complete more than 6 hours of required course work in their major, supporting courses or general education requirements by independent study. At least 9 credits of legal specialty courses required for the major or Certificate must be completed via synchronous instruction.

Students graduating with a degree or certificate in paralegal studies must have at least in C in all LAW courses.
     Note: Some courses will have a service-learning component.

College of Saint Mary also offers qualified students the opportunity to participate in an ABA approved 3+3 degree program option which enables them to earn both a Bachelor and Juris Doctor degree in six years instead of the typical seven years. Students who wish to participate in this program and apply for early admission to law school must inform the Program Director no later than the end of their first semester at College of Saint Mary. Transfer students are eligible to apply for the 3+3 program if they have completed no more than 12 credits prior to enrolling at College of Saint Mary.

Students who wish to apply for early admission to law school (after completion of their junior year) must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and meet the admission qualifications of the law school they want to attend. The College of Saint Mary has an agreement with Creighton University School of Law for early admission of CSM Legal Studies majors.

Early admission options are also available at other ABA approved law schools. Contact the Program Director for more information.