Legal Studies


An American Bar Association approved program
The legal studies program is the only American Bar Association (ABA) approved bachelor's degree-granting program in the Greater Cleveland area. 

The Paralegal Profession
Increased litigation and the demand for accessible, specialized legal services have made the paralegal profession one of the fastest-growing career tracks available. Paralegals handle many duties that attorneys previously managed. They draft documents, keep clients updated, correspond with opposing counsel, assist in the courtroom, manage investigations and much more. Paralegals may not give legal advice, sign court pleadings or represent a client in court.

Intelligent, detail-oriented and organized paralegals are needed in various law office practice areas. Opportunities are available in traditional law firms, corporate legal departments, insurance companies, hospitals, title firms, banks and governmental agencies. Often, paralegals, even while still students, are hired or quickly promoted to legal positions with greater responsibilities and commensurately higher salaries. Paralegals are employed in litigation, probate, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate and other practice areas. There are also management and independent or free-lance options.

Paralegal Studies Goals and Objectives
The goal of our ABA-approved program is to prepare the student personally and professionally for a career as a paralegal. The program highlights personal development, the cultivation of academic abilities and the exploration of a coherent, integrated body of knowledge drawn from the legal curriculum.
The Legal Studies curriculum has been carefully developed to provide students with an education that includes knowledge of state and federal law, professional responsibility, ethical considerations, legally-specific technology, legal research, oral and written communication and professional projects in various legal practice areas. The Legal Studies program fosters critical thinking, effective communication and confidence to apply classroom knowledge to professional challenges.

Law School Preparation
An undergraduate liberal arts education, or the blend of an undergraduate degree with a Post-Degree Certificate in Legal Studies, is excellent preparation for students planning to attend law school. The Ursuline Studies Core Requirements, in conjunction with the Legal Studies major, provide the law student with the analytical, oral and written communication skills necessary to be successful in law school and as an attorney.  The Certificate curriculum covers essential competencies like legal research and writing, ethics, and studies in a variety of legal practice areas. 

The Ursuline Studies Program
The heart of an Ursuline education is the Ursuline Studies Program. By its very nature, the Ursuline Studies Program is committed to the development and enrichment of all students. As an outcomes-based curriculum, the program views assessment of academic progress as an essential part of each course and each stage of development.

The Ursuline Studies Program involves a series of writing-intensive interdisciplinary courses that total 49 credit hours and serve as the liberal arts core of an Ursuline College education. The program highlights personal development, the cultivation of academic abilities and the exploration of a coherent, integrated body of knowledge drawn from a variety of disciplines.

Faculty
Facilitators in the Legal Studies Program are attorneys with expertise in their areas of instruction or paralegals with extensive experience.

Degree plan/audit sheet (.pdf)

Certificate plan/audit sheet (.pdf)