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The Paralegal Studies program is designed for the student seeking a career as a legal assistant working under the direction and supervision of an attorney in private practice, government service, or legal aid. The knowledge and skills acquired in the Paralegal Studies Program are also beneficial to students majoring in the areas of law enforcement, pre-law, business law, and political science. Students who choose to learn more about the legal system and how to develop their own skills in legal research for personal enrichment are also encouraged to enroll.
A student enrolled in the Paralegal Studies program may obtain a stand-alone Paralegal Studies Certificate or get the Paralegal Studies Minor along with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Students may receive a certificate for successfully completing 30 hours of coursework with no degree required. The certificate qualifies students for employment as a paralegal. The required courses and suggested electives are the same for the certificate and the minor, and are listed under the requirements for the minor. Students must have an adviser in paralegal studies.
Classes for a Paralegal Studies certificate and minor are all offered online via the internet. Some classes are also offered on campus.
Requirements
Completing the certificate requires a total of 30 credit-hours (10 classes) at MSSU, including an English Composition class (Eng 101) and a Computer Literacy class (CIS 105 or equivalent). The certificate requires 24 credit hours (8 classes) in Paralegal Studies. (See the requirements below). English Composition I (Eng 101) and Introduction to Microcomputer Use (CIS 105) are offered every semester and most summers, on campus and via the internet. The Paralegal Studies classes are generally offered at least two per semester, sometimes three or more online and or on campus.
Required classes:
ENG 101 College Composition
CIS 105 Introduction to Microcomputers [or equivalent]
PLS 201 Introduction to Legal Assistance
PLS 210 Law Office Management
PLS 304 Legal Research
Choose three classes from the following list:
PLS 298 Topics in Paralegal Studies
PLS 313 Property
PLS 314 Civil Litigation
PLS 324 Family Law
PLS 401 Wills, Trusts, and Probate
PLS 491 Internship**
PLS 498 Senior Seminar**
PLS 499 Independent Study**
Choose two classes from the following list:
GB 301 Legal Environment of Business I
GB 302 Legal Environment of Business II
PSC 310 Law, Society, & Judicial Process
PSC 322 International Law
PSC 431 Constitutional Law I
PSC 432 Constitutional Law II
COMM 310 Communications Law
LE 250 Criminal Law
MM 411 Labor and Employment Law
**See Prerequisites
Cost
Tuition and fees at MSSU change on a yearly basis, but if you multiply the tuition rate at MSSU by 30 hours and the Distance Learning fees for each internet class by 10 classes, the total cost as of May 2011 is roughly $6,500 for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition is higher.
The following information is required to be reported by the U.S. Department of Education.
On Time Completion Information
The on time completion for this program varies for each student, depending upon their enrollment each semester.
It takes at least a year to complete the Paralegal Studies Certificate, and students typically take longer if they are part-time. The program is set up for students who work full time and/or have full-time family responsibilities and want to take classes part time. Most students take two or more years to complete the program, taking two classes per semester while balancing the other responsibilities in their lives.
Occupational Profile Information
The Paralegal Studies Program prepares students to become a Paralegal (SOC Code 23-2011.00). To find more information on occupational profiles, please visit O*NET online and search by occupation's title or by the SOC Code provided.
4 students completed the Paralegal certificate program for the academic year 2007-08. 100% of the students completing the program did so in normal time. Of those 4 students, 4 incurred student loan debt to complete the program. For all students completing the program, the median cummulative debt is as follows:
Federal Student Loan Debt: $13,100
Private Loan Debt: $0
Institutional Financing Plan Debt: $0
5 students completed the Paralegal certificate program for the academic year 2008-09. 100% of the students completing the program did so in normal time. Of those 5 students, 5 incurred student loan debt to complete the program. For all students completing the program, the median cummulative debt is as follows:
Federak Student Loan Debt: $13,550
Private Loans Debt: $0
Institutional Financial Plan Debt: $0
4 students completed the Paralegal certificate program for the academic year 2009-10. 100% of the students completing the program did so in normal time. Of those 4 students, 4 incurred student loan debt to complete the program. For all students completing the program, the median cummulative debt is as follows:
Federal Student Loan Debt: $16,696.50
Private Loan Debt: $0
Institutional Financing Plan Debt: $0
4 students completed the Paralegal certificate program for the academic year 2010-11. 100% of the students completing the program did so in normal time. Of those 4 students, 3 incurred student loan debt to complete the program. For all students completing the program, the median cummulative debt is as follows:
Federal Student Loan Debt: $11,335
Private Loan Debt: $0
Institutional Financing Plan Debt: $0
3 students completed the Paralegal certificate program for the academic year 2011-12. 100% of the students completing the program did so in normal time. Of those 3 students, 1 incurred student loan debt to complete the program. For all students completing the program, the median cummulative debt is as follows:
Federal Student Loan Debt: $0
Private Loan Debt: $0
Institutional Financing Plan Debt: $0
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Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(417) 625-9300
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