General Catalog 2026-2027

Legal Studies Associate of Applied Science Degree

PS13

The Paralegal Studies program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for positions in the paralegal profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The knowledge and skills emphasized in this program include ethical obligations; research in state and federal law; legal correspondence preparation; family law matters; basic concepts of real property law, criminal law and procedure, civil litigation, tort law, and substantive contract law; and wills, trusts, and probate. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills required to aid lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree.

The goal of the Paralegal Studies Program is to train students in legal theory, analytical, communication and adaptation of skills. Paralegals shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of law as proscribed by the Official Code of Georgia, 15-19-51 and must work under the supervision and direction of an attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.

Degree Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION CORE

Required Minimum: 18 Semester Credit Hours

General Education Core Area I: Language Arts/Communication - 6 Credit Hours

 
ENGL-1101Composition and Rhetoric

3
SPCH-1101Public Speaking

3

 

General Education Core Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences - 3 Credit Hours

(Choose One of the Following)

ECON-1101Principles of Economics

3
ECON-2105Macroeconomics

3
ECON-2106Microeconomics

3
HIST-1111World History I

3
HIST-1112World History II

3
HIST-2111U.S. History I

3
HIST-2112U.S. History II

3
POLS-1101American Government

3
PSYC-1101Introductory Psychology

3
SOCI-1101Introduction to Sociology

3
SOCI-2600Introduction to Social Problems

3

General Education Core Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics - 3 Credit Hours

(Choose One of the Following)

MATH-1103Quantitative Skills and Reasoning

3
MATH-1111College Algebra

3

General Education Core Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts - 3 Credit Hours

(Choose One of the Following)

ARTS-1101Art Appreciation

3
ENGL-2110World Literature

3
ENGL-2130American Literature

3
ENGL-2310English Literature from the Beginnings to 1700

3
HUMN-1101Introduction to Humanities

3
MUSC-1101Music Appreciation

3
MUSC-2040History of Popular Music

3
RELG-1101World Religions

3
THEA-1101Theater Appreciation

3

General Education Core Additional Requirements – 3 Credit Hours

To meet the minimum required 18 semester credit hours in General Core courses an additional 3 semester credit hours must be selected from a course in Area I, Area II, Area III, or Area IV.

Occupational Courses

COMP-1000Introduction to Computer Literacy

3
LGST-1100Introduction to Law and Ethics

3
LGST-1105Legal Research and Legal Writing I

3
LGST-1110Legal Research and Legal Writing II

3
LGST-1115Family Law

3
LGST-1120Real Estate Law

3
LGST-1125Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure

3
LGST-1130Civil Litigation

3
LGST-1135Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Administration

3
LGST-1140Tort Law

3
LGST-1145Law Office Management

3
LGST-1150Contracts, Commercial Law and Business Organizations

3
LGST-2200Legal Studies Practicum

6
-
or
LGST-2210Legal Studies Internship I

6

Complete 9 Credit Hours of Guided Electives

 
LGST-1205Constitutional Law

3
LGST-1210Legal and Policy Issues in Healthcare

3
LGST-1215Administrative Law

3
LGST-2205Advanced Legal Research and Writing

3
CRJU-1010Introduction to Criminal Justice

3
ENGL-1105Workplace and Technical Communication

3
MGMT-2115Human Resource Management

3

Total Credit Hours: 69