Success Story

Meet Daniel Hutchinson

I cannot put a value on my experience at Hesser College. It has given me structure and direction in my life.

Hesser College > Programs > Legal Studies > Paralegal Associate Degree

Paralegal Degree Program*

Associate's Degree

If you are interested in an education that exposes you to a wide range of legal areas leading to a potential paralegal career, Hesser College has the program you seek. Our Associate of Science in Paralegal program features courses in legal areas such as:

Legal research
Civil and criminal law
Property law
Wills, estates, and trusts

Our paralegal program provides a fundamental awareness of the law and practical hands-on skills that can prepare you to meet the demands of the paralegal profession. In addition, you will be trained in legal research using computer systems accessing a national legal database.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded an associate of science degree.

Paralegal Program Features

Potential to fulfill the increasing need for legal employees with substantial research skills, advanced critical thinking abilities, and sophisticated communication techniques
Interesting and varied externship possibilities

Potential Paralegel Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this degre program, you may seek future entry-level employment opportunities such as:

Paralegal
Court assistant
Legal assistant

Paralegal Courses and Typical Length of Study

The approximate length of study for this program is 60 semester credit hours.

Career Courses		Semester Credit Hours
PRLG111	Introduction to Paralegal Studies	3
PRLG113	Legal Research	3
PRLG220	Criminal Litigation	3
PRLG223	Property Law	3
PRLG225	Family Law	3
PRLG226	Wills, Estates, and Trusts	3
PRLG230	Business Association Law	3
PRLG281	Civil Litigation and Tort Law	3
PRLG282	Administrative Law	3
PRLG295	Paralegal Externship –OR– Open Elective	3
General Education Courses
GNED111	First Semester Seminar	3
GNED211	Critical Thinking Workshop	3
ENGL103	English Composition	3
ENGL106	English Composition II	3
ENGL110	Oral Communication	3
	Mathematics Elective (100 level or higher)	3
	Natural Science Elective (100 level or higher)	3
	Social Science Elective (100 level or higher)	3
	Humanities Elective (100 level or higher)	3
	Humanities or Social Science Elective (200 level or higher)	3
Total Credit Hours		60

Paralegal Degree Program Outcomes

The paralegal program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the following outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of what a paralegal is, what a paralegal does, where paralegals work, what is expected of a professional paralegal, and the fields where paralegals are utilized
Locate and analyze relevant primary and secondary legal sources in electronic and print media
Utilize the critical thinking abilities necessary to operate in the legal profession
Use oral and written skills to communicate with participants throughout the legal process
Demonstrate an understanding of the significant similarities and differences among areas of civil, criminal, and administrative law
Demonstrate an ability to work in a legal environment

Click these links to view the Advisory Boards and Board of Trustees.

For more information, view the Hesser College Catalog.

* Paralegals are not lawyers and cannot practice law or give legal advice to consumers.

Request Information

Please complete the form below and an Admissions Representative will contact you to answer your questions.

*All fields required

Submit
By submitting this form, I agree that Kaplan, including its affiliates, may contact me via email, telephone, text, or prerecorded message regarding its programs and offers, as well as those of a third-party institution. If I reside outside the United States, I consent to the transfer of my data to the United States. Kaplan's privacy policy governs the collection of this information.

We collect personally identifiable information from you only when you voluntarily submit it. Personal information is used for the purposes of your enrollment only. We value your privacy.