2017-2018 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Students seeking a certificate in paralegal studies must complete 30 credit hours. Students must be degree seeking students to receive the certificate. The certificate will be awarded at the same time as the degree is awarded. All undergraduate certificates have received Higher Learning Commission approval, and students are eligible for financial aid because they are seeking a degree. Students who have completed a bachelor's degree at another institution with an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher may earn this certificate by completing the course requirements listed below. A maximum of six credits can be transferred from another institution. In addition, at least ten credits of legal specialty courses must be taken through traditional classroom instruction. The certificate in paralegal studies is approved by the American Bar Association.
Requirements for a Certificate in Paralegal Studies
A minimum of 30 credit hours is required, including the following core courses:
- LS 201 - Introduction to Law Credits: 3
- LS 324 - Legal Research and Writing Credits: 3
- LS 420 - Property and Probate Law Credits: 3
- LS 422 - Commercial Law Credits: 3
- LS 426 - Civil Litigation I Credits: 3
- LS 428 - Civil Litigation II Credits: 3
- LS 490 - Legal Studies Internship Credits: 3 to 6
- CIS 150 - Introduction to Computing Credits: 3
In addition, two of the following courses:
- CJ 302 - Criminal Law Credits: 3
- CJ 305 - Constitutional Rights and Civil Liberties Credits: 3
- LS 350 - Family Law Credits: 3
- LS 370 - Women and the Law Credits: 3
- LS 380 - Special Topics in Legal Studies Credits: 1 to 4
- LS 399 - Independent Reading in Legal Studies Credits: 1 to 3
- LS 499 - Independent Study and Research Credits: 1 to 3
- MGT 334 - Employment and Labor Law Credits: 3
Suggested Order of Coursework
Please visit the website of the College of Community and Public Service Advising Center at www.gvsu.edu/ccpsadvising/ for a curriculum plan for the certificate in paralegal studies. Taking courses in the sequence recommended in the curriculum plan will help you avoid delays in completing the certificate.