ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES UNIVERSITY of LOUISVILLE Paralegal Studies Program PARALEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM 104 Ford Hall University of Louisville Louisville, KY 40292 Phone: 502-852-6831 ABA Approved! Fax: 502-852-7923 http://louisville.edu/politicalscience/paralegal
About Our Program Paralegals, also called Legal Assistants, work with lawyers in a wide range of professional tasks, including legal research, writing, interviewing, document preparation, and office management. Paralegals work in law firms, business corporations, and government agencies. Paralegals may perform substantive legal work, except for that which is prohibited by law. Completion of the Paralegal Program does not allow the non-lawyer graduate to practice law. Program Philosophy The College of Arts and Sciences Paralegal Studies Program provides a high quality liberal arts education as a foundation for specialized legal skills. The Associate in Arts in Paralegal Studies degree requires grades higher than most programs. This helps assure the high quality of graduating paralegal professionals. The general education credits may be applied toward a fouryear degree in a number of disciplines. Paralegal students are encouraged to earn a Bachelor's degree. Students with most Bachelor's degrees can take just the paralegal classes and obtain the A.A. degree in Paralegal Studies. Most of the courses necessary for this degree may be taken in the evenings at the Belknap Campus. Placement The U.S. Department of Labor reports the paralegal profession among the fastest growing job markets of the next decade. The program cannot guarantee job placement, but local employers report that there are a substantial number of positions for qualified paralegals. The University Career Center, frequently contacted by prospective employers, assists students in finding suitable employment. Students are also encouraged to join the Louisville Association of Paralegals, which offers a job bank program. Registration with the Louisville Bar Association Placement Office is also recommended. The Paralegal Studies director periodically receives job listings, and maintains a resume file from which to make suitable referrals. Accreditation The University of Louisville Paralegal Studies Program is an accredited Associate Degree program with the approval of the American Bar Association. The University of Louisville is also a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education and the Louisville Association of Paralegals. Post-Baccalaureate Program Students with the Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university may be eligible to complete the paralegal program by taking only the Paralegal Studies courses and showing completion of History 101-102 or equivalent. Such students will receive an Associate in Arts degree. Consult the paralegal advisor in the Arts and Sciences Advising Center. Page 2
Degree Program General Education Arts 3 hours Humanities 3 hours Mathematics 3 hours Natural Sciences: lecture and lab in a single discipline; an 7 hours additional 3 hours in a second discipline Oral Communication (OC) 3 hours Social and Behavioral Sciences: one course in the Department 9 hours History; the remaining 6 hours in two disciplines other than History or Political Science Written Communication (WC): 3 hours must be a writing course 6 hours in the Department of English or be an approved Honors course substitute Cultural Diversity (CD1 and CD2): in many cases, these courses will also fulfill other Content Area requirements 6 hours 34-40 hours Arts & Sciences Requirements General 101: A & S Orientation 1 hour Writing Requirement (WR) (may be incorporated into other 3 hours degree requirements) 4 hours Please refer to page 15 of the 2006 2008 Undergraduate Catalog for detailed guidelines concerning University- Wide General Education Competencies and Content Areas. Paralegal Studies Requirements Paralegal Studies 101, 102, 203, 399 10 hours Any five of the following: 15 hours Paralegal Studies 305, 310, 320, 325, 326, 335, 340 350, 360, 370, 380, 391 Paralegal Studies 390, Internship 0-3 hours (required of students with no paralegal background) Political Science 201 3 hours Paralegal Studies Total 28-31 hours Minimum Degree Total 63-66 hours Page 3
Degree Requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a concentration in Paralegal Studies General Education 34 (refer to pg. 15 of the Undergraduate Catalog) Arts & Sciences Requirements 7 General 101: A & S Orientation 1 Foreign Language 6-8 (hours will vary depending on language taken) Humanities or Natural Science 6 WR - two approved courses (POLS 495 will count as one WR course) Department of Political Science 30 POLS 201, 202 or 299 3 POLS 390 3 POLS 325 or 326 (no double count with Public Policy area) 3 POLS 495 Senior Seminar 3 Supporting Courses 21 Economics 201 and 202 6 Mathematics 107 or 180 3 Philosophy 211 or 311 3 Minimum Electives 2-4 Minimum Total 121 Law and Jurisprudence Area 9 POLS 312, 313, 314, 315, 320, 332, 337 (select three) Policy Area 6 POLS 325, 326, 333, 336, 405, 426, 505 (select two) Electives in Political Science 3 Paralegal Concentration 28 Paralegal Studies 101, 102, 203, 399, and 390 13 Paralegal Studies electives 15 Completion of the BS in Political Science, with Paralegal Concentration is not, without dual completion of the AA in Paralegal Studies, designed to prepare students for a career as a paralegal, nor does it constitute a Paralegal degree from an ABA approved program. About the Department of Political Science The Department of Political Science at the University of Louisville offers a wide range of courses in all the sub fields of the discipline. The department curriculum is designed to cultivate understanding of politics, group processes, and organizational dynamics in the United States, in nations around the globe, and in the international arena. Faculty help students become engaged citizens who possess the knowledge to participate successfully in contemporary political life. In addition to courses offered on campus, political science majors have opportunities to complete internships with city, state, and federal government agencies. Overseas programs have been offered in England, France, Germany, China, and Italy. The department also offers students opportunities to participate in Political Science Honors courses, mentoring programs, service learning projects, and a range of faculty-student social activities. In addition, each year the department brings major speakers to campus and creates opportunities for students to interact with national and international leaders. The department also administers the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas on Improving World Order, the largest award given in the field of Political Science
Here are examples of careers and other opportunities our Political Science majors have gone onto after graduation Director of National Affairs for a Automobile Co. President of a Marketing Communications Firm Executive Administrator for the City of Louisville President of a national bank Tenured Professor in Political Science Studying at Oxford Intelligence Officer for the CIA Reporter for a local news station Partner at a law firm United States Senator Political Science affords students exactly the kind of versatile and portable skills that suit them to the rapidly changing demands of the contemporary labor market. All majors graduate with the computer skills to compete successfully in the high tech fields of the late 20 th century. In addition, our majors cultivate writing and speaking skills that are essential to effective leadership and good management. Our recent graduates are flourishing in careers in both public and private sectors of both the United States and the global community. Major career opportunities exist with the federal government, the nation s largest employer with more than 2.1 million civilians in its workforce and 100,000 new hires each year. State and local governments provide job opportunities in areas such as consumer protection, highway safety, water pollution, soil conservation, park services, industrial development, licensing, transportation, planning, rehabilitation programs, zoning, housing, public safety, welfare, economic development, and justice administration, just to name a few. The practice of Law continues to attract political science graduates each year who complete Law School and go on to specialize to meet the needs of a complex and litigious society. Private interest groups and associations hire thousands of lobbyists to represent them in Washington and state capitols across the nation. Career opportunities in campaign management and political polling have grown enormously in the past 30 years, as have challenging international jobs. Political Science graduates also possess the skills to compete successfully for jobs in business, journalism and teaching.
Our Paralegal Faculty BRIAN BUTLER, J.D. (Assistant U.S. Attorney) Denise clayton, J.D., Judge (Jefferson Circuit Court, 5th Division) David deatrick, J.D. (Deatrick & Spies) David cary ford, j.d. (Ford, Klapheke & Meyer) Joseph gutmann, J.D. (Jefferson County Public Schools) William hilyerd, J.D. (University of Louisville) Vicki nordmann, j.d. (Attorney at Law) Marsha shields, m.a. (Program Director) Paralegal Studies Program UNIVERSITY of LOUISVILLE The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity institution. Grade Point Standing Requirement: In order to graduate from the program, the student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above in all courses and a cumulative 2.75 grade point average in Paralegal Studies courses. Note: All program information is subject to change For further information on the Paralegal Studies Program, please contact the program director at (502) 852-3249 or write to: Marsha Shields, M.A. Ford Hall, Room 104 University of Louisville Louisville, KY 40292 marsha.shields@louisville.edu This publication was prepared by the University of Louisville and printed with state funds KRS 57.375.