Online Bachelor of Science in Law & Paralegal Studies University of Cincinnati Online

University of Cincinnati’s online Bachelor of Science in Law & Paralegal Studies program is a completely online American Bar Association (ABA) approved online law & paralegal studies program. Our online undergraduate law & paralegal studies program will prepare you to play a pivotal role as a paraprofessional in law offices, government units, corporations, and other law-practice settings. It will also equip you if you are looking to become a legal aid advocate, clerk of court or judiciary clerk, administrative assistant in court, or litigation support analyst.

The paralegal profession is ranked among the fastest-growing occupations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, paralegal employment is projected to grow 10% through 2029 (higher than the average of any other occupation).

If you’re looking to pursue a career that is challenging but rewarding, law & paralegal studies may be right for you. Paralegals play an important role in working under many different hats in many different fields. If you enjoy research, analyzing, and working with people in an ever-growing field, chances are you may enjoy this career path.

What is a Paralegal?

The exact job duties of a paralegal can vary depending on where they’re employed and the area of law in which they work. Paralegals perform tasks such as conducting legal and factual research, drafting court documents and correspondence, reviewing and summarizing records, filing documents with the court, maintaining files, and communicating with clients. They can do many of the same tasks that an attorney can do, with the exception of accepting cases and setting fees, giving legal advice, and representing clients in court.

The majority of paralegals work for law firms, but governmental agencies, businesses, and non-profit organizations also utilize these professionals.

UC Online Law & Paralegal Studies Bachelor Program Highlights:

• 100% online: no campus visits are required.
• American Bar Association approved.
• Easy to transfer credits.
• All classes are taught by practicing attorneys.
• Part-time and full-time scheduling: have the flexibility to balance work and family obligations while completing your degree.
• High job placement rate.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.

Students must take at least nine semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

All of your coursework for the Bachelor of Science in Law & Paralegal Studies is completed online and taught by practicing attorneys. Our students have the flexibility to study on their time while learning the necessary skills to take their careers to whichever level they aspire. Our program was created to ensure that each student is prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge to succeed as they begin their professional careers.

Our online paralegal studies bachelor’s program is approved by the American Bar Association. Paralegal education programs that are approved by the ABA have gone the extra mile toward providing a consistently high standard of learning in the paralegal field. Not only do they need to meet defined, demanding standards for ABA approval; they need to be reapproved by the ABA on a regular basis to maintain their ABA-approved status.

Curriculum at a glance

• Introduction to Legal Studies
• Intellectual Property
• Legal Research & Writing I
• Family Law
• Introduction to Effective Speaking
• Legal Research & Writing II
• Law Office Technology
• Civil Litigation I
• Real Estate Law
• Corporate Law & Business Organizations
• Estate Planning & Probate
• Civil Litigation II
• Administrative Litigation
• Paralegal Internship
• Investigative Techniques and Evidence
• Criminal Procedure
• Advanced Legal Research
• Advanced Paralegal Seminar
• Paralegal Internship
• First Year Exp in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
• English Composition
• Intermediate Composition

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the industries with the strongest job growth for paralegals over the next few years will be finance firms, insurance firms, consulting firms, and healthcare providers.

University of Cincinnati’s online Law & Paralegal Studies bachelor’s program is designed so that upon graduating from the program students are able to:

• Gather and analyze statutes, decisions, legal articles, codes, documents, and other data.
• Prepare briefs, wills, contracts, real estate closing statements, pleadings, appeals, and other legal documents.
• Analyze and evaluate the law and modify standardized forms found in books, pleading files, form files, or computer databases.
• Investigate facts and laws of cases and search public records and other resources to prepare cases and determine causes of action.
• Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical principles that guide paralegal conduct and demonstrate an understanding of the role of the paralegal in the delivery of legal services.

Employment Opportunities for Graduates

As law firms and other employers continue to cut budgets while the demand for legal services increases, employers are choosing to utilize paralegals whenever possible since paralegals can perform legal tasks at a lower cost per hour than attorneys. The legal studies profession is a fast-growing career and graduates of our online program are employed in a variety of legal environments as broad as the law itself, including:

• Compliance
• Governmental Agencies
• Risk Management
• Corporate Law Departments
• Research Analyst
• Bankruptcy Petition Preparer
• Contract Manager
• Claims Adjuster/Investigator
• Tax Preparer

Paralegal Salaries

Because of the significant challenges inherent in many paralegal careers, as well as the vital importance of this field to the fabric of our society, many paralegal disciplines tend to be well-compensated in terms of salary and benefits; with some employers offering pay increases to those who earn an advanced degree. According to PayScale, individuals with a BS in Paralegal Studies earn an average annual salary of nearly $61,000.