Paralegal Program Options Comparison

Since 1971, the University of New Haven has offered students programs in paralegal studies.  Presently, through the University's Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, the Legal Studies Program offers the following three distinct paralegal program options to educate students to enter this interesting and fast-growing field:

1. B.S. in Legal Studies, with Concentration in Paralegal Studies;
2. Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies; and
3. Paralegal Studies Certificate

Students, in consultation with a UNH legal studies adviser, should choose the option which best fits their interests, academic goals, and career choices. All three paralegal program options are approved by the American Bar Association.

WHY PURSUE PARALEGAL STUDIES?

The paralegal profession has been and continues to be a growing and dynamic occupation path in which paralegals perform interesting, varied, and rewarding work in private law firms, government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations. A paralegal performs specifically delegated substantive legal work under the supervision of an attorney who is responsible for the paralegal's work.  Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.  Typical paralegal job functions include, among others, legal research, investigation of case facts, gathering and organizing evidence, assisting in trial preparation, interviewing witnesses, client contact, summarizing evidence and testimony, document production and review, and drafting court and other legal documents. Paralegal studies graduates may also pursue careers in law-related areas of the insurance, banking, or securities industries, businesses, nonprofit agencies, or in federal, state, or local governments. Careers as paralegals or in law-related fields are among the fastest-growing areas of employment, with projections of sustained growth in the future.  CareerCast.com recently rated the occupation of paralegal as one of the ten best jobs of 2010.

WHY PURSUE PARALEGAL STUDIES AT UNH?

The paralegal studies program at UNH is the oldest in Connecticut, with a rich tradition of educating students to understand the principles of law and legal issues underlying their work as paralegals as well as teaching the skills necessary to perform effectively as professionals working in various legal environments.  In each paralegal program option, the curriculum is designed to provide students with basic knowledge of the legal system, law, and ethical conduct, and to develop students' ability in legal reasoning, research, and writing.  A key feature of the UNH paralegal program is its flexibility to enable each student to choose which program option best meets his or her own particular goals. 

In our technologically "smart classrooms" and computer labs, faculty and students use cutting edge technology to maximize learning, including accessing judicial, governmental, and other legal websites and online legal research databases.  All students while enrolled in a paralegal program at UNH are provided with personal Westlaw passwords for conducting online legal research anywhere via the Internet.

"Real life learning" takes place both within and outside of the classroom.  Through in class exercises and simulations, students in paralegal classes apply the theory they are learning.  Internships, either for credit in the bachelor degree program or not-for-credit as desired by students in the associate degree or paralegal certificate programs, provide substantive work experiences.

The faculty is drawn from a diverse group of lawyers who have graduated from major American law schools, including Yale, Harvard, New York University, and University of Connecticut, and who have had extensive practical experience in the subject areas which they teach.  In addition, faculty connections with the Connecticut legal community also facilitate mentoring and valuable job placement assistance for program graduates.  

WHICH PARALEGAL OPTION IS BEST FOR YOU? 

The three UNH paralegal options are designed to appeal to the needs and goals of anyone interested in learning paralegal skills.  Key considerations are summarized below.  Please contact the Legal Studies Program Director, Prof. Donna Decker Morris, at ddmorris@newhaven.edu with any further questions. 

B.S. in Legal Studies, with Concentration in Paralegal Studies

Students just graduating from high school as well as veterans or others returning to pursue their education interested in a career as a paralegal and a full college degree should choose the bachelor degree option.  Full-time students typically complete the degree program in four years, while part-time students complete the degree over a longer period of time depending on their individual circumstances. Students interested in the "college experience" and participating in the full and diverse life at the University while pursuing their academic studies usually choose to be  full-time students.  Employers are increasingly seeking to hire persons with bachelor degrees and this option provides the most opportunity for career advancement.  The bachelor degree also is required for students seeking to continue their education in graduate school, such as pursuing a master's degree in legal studies.

Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies

Students who are not ready to commit to a four-year program and wish to obtain an associate's degree over the course of two years (full-time) with the goal of working as a paralegal or legal assistant upon graduation choose this option.  This program option may appeal to students who wish to help pay for continuing their education on a part-time basis towards a bachelor's degree while working as a paralegal or legal assistant. Also, this program option is a good choice for persons already in the workplace who wish to improve their occupational status to obtain a better, higher-paying job in this expanding field, but who do not have previous college credits. All courses in the associate degree program count toward a B.S. degree in Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies Concentration at UNH.

Paralegal Studies Certificate

This paralegal program option is appropriate for several categories of students.

• Students currently enrolled at UNH and majoring in a non-paralegal program but who may also be interested in a paralegal or related career or who could benefit from a paralegal education may select the paralegal certificate program of study, similar to the manner in which students select minors.  Paralegal Certificate program election forms are available in the department office or by contacting the Legal Studies Program Director.
• Persons already in the workplace with sufficient college credits who wish to improve their occupational status to obtain a better, higher-paying job in this expanding field may apply for admission to the Paralegal Certificate Program as a part-time student. 
• Persons wishing to change careers or return to the workforce to pursue a paralegal career, who have degrees in other areas or at least sufficient college credits, may apply for admission to the Paralegal Certificate Program as a part-time student. 

There are many paths to a job in the paralegal world, and the three paralegal options provided by UNH are intended to give a prospective student maximum flexibility in fashioning a study program designed best to achieve the individual's specific interests and goals.  At UNH, the emphasis is on assisting students in whatever way possible to help them achieve their goals. Both the Admissions Office and the Director of the Legal Studies Program are available to discuss students' personal dreams and goals, to answer any questions about the various options, and to help students choose and individualize the paralegal option which is best for each student.

Paralegal Program Objectives

• Provide a broad, interdisciplinary course of study that exposes students to a commonality of intellectual experiences which are the distinguishing traits of a university graduate.
• Develop students' communication, analytical, quantitative reasoning, and writing skills.
• Teach students to conduct legal research using standard law library materials as well as computer-assisted legal research programs to locate both primary and secondary source materials.
• Provide students with an understanding of the American legal system, including governmental structure and the court system.
• Teach students to understand inductive, deductive and analogical reasoning processes and to use legal reasoning in the application of legal principles to fact situations.
• Teach students to be able to read cases with understanding and apply case law to legal problems.
• Provide students with an understanding of attorney's rules of professional conduct and their application to paralegals.
• Provide the foundation for ethical decision-making as legal professionals and develop values of ethical conduct and professionalism.
• Teach students to conduct effective factual investigations, including best-practice procedures for accessing information and materials, and to interview clients and witnesses using effective oral communication skills.
• Develop students' knowledge of the special concerns and skills involved in a legal setting, including case and time management, billing, client relations, and working with attorney supervisors.
• Expose students to alternative methods of dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration. 
• Ensure that students have an appreciation for different cultures and backgrounds and respect for persons different from themselves. 

UNH PARALEGAL PATHS