2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
Students seeking a certificate in paralegal studies must complete 30 credit hours. Students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree must complete a bachelor's degree to earn the certificate; the certificate will be awarded when the degree is awarded. Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree must submit an application for admission to the legal studies program. An overall GPA of at least 2.7 is required for admission. No more than six credits can be transferred from another institution and at least ten credits of legal specialty courses must be taken through traditional classroom instruction. The paralegal studies certificate 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: 1 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.