Paralegals, working under the supervision of any attorney, have opportunities to improve their clients’ quality of life and, in turn, improve communities.
The Legal Studies concentration of the Criminal Justice bachelor’s program prepares students for careers in the fields of paralegal/legal assistant and judicial administration. Students interested in pursuing law school may wish to consider this track, although no specific major is required by most law schools.
In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies Concentration degree approved by the American Bar Association, you’ll earn a certificate of program completion.
In addition to law firms, paralegals work in business organizations, banks, insurance companies and health organizations. The government is also a big employer of paralegals. Some of their duties include:
Conducting client interviews and maintaining general contact with the client
Locating and interviewing witnesses
Conducting legal research
Drafting legal documents, correspondence and pleadings
Summarizing depositions, interrogatories and testimony
You should consider the Criminal Justice Concentration if you would like to prepare for a career in the fields of law enforcement, the courts and/or corrections.
Disclaimers:The Outreach Program paralegal certificate courses offered at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, are not ABA-approved. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law. Alabama law prohibits the practice of law by non-lawyers, including legal assistants/paralegals. A program graduate is not a certified paralegal. Paralegal certification is administered by professional paralegal organizations. Program requires a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of synchronous instruction in courses designated as legal specialty courses.
What you will know with a Legal Studies degree from AUM
We Encourage You To Think
The courses in this program help you become a critical thinker, with skills such as collecting and evaluating information, drawing conclusions and evaluating those conclusions.
We Prepare You To Collaborate
Under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are trusted to work independently or in a team of legal professionals. They often have contact with the client, the client’s family, and others.
We Give You A Positive Framework For Serving
Know how to serve the public interest by delivering not only the truth, but the context behind it.
We Prepare You For The Job Market
Through internship opportunities, you’ll get a taste of the real world of paralegals and legal assistants. You’ll also be able to create a professional network that will be crucial to career success.
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Game Plan for Success
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This paralegal education program is approved by the American Bar Association.
AUM is an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education.
Full-time faculty have published scholarly articles in prestigious journals, including Juvenile and Family Court Journal and the Alabama Lawyer.
Full-time faculty have presented at annual conferences such as the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the American Society of Criminology, and the American Association for Paralegal Education.
All of our Legal Studies faculty members are licensed attorneys.
Looking to enhance your criminal justice training for a robust and flexible career? A minor in Psychology or Sociology could help.
Apply to the University Honors Program, a diverse community of students who take classes together, work on community service projects, and travel the U.S. and abroad.
Check out our Career Discovery Board on this page to begin exploring your options. Contact us by phone or email so we can get you the answers you need.
The Legal Studies faculty have numerous contacts and relationships with law firms and others who hire paralegals. You’ll benefit from this network when seeking internships and jobs.
The Legal Studies concentration is ideal for paralegal/legal assistant or judicial administration. The Criminal Justicefocus prepares you to work in law enforcement, the courts and/or corrections.
With a Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in Legal Studies,, you will be ready to undertake a variety of career choices. AUM’s Career Development Center helps you jumpstart your job search and use your network to expand your career options.
Degree Options
Is a Degree in Legal Studies right for me?
With this bachelor’s degree as your educational foundation, you have many career possibilities.
Career/Job Title
Entry-level Education
Job Growth 2020-2030
Annual Median Salary
Mediator
Bachelor’s Degree(Plus Additional Training and Certification)
10% (As fast as average)
$66,130
Paralegal and Legal Assistant
Bachelor’s Degree
12% (Faster than average)
$52,920
Lawyer
Law Degree
9% (As fast as average)
$126,930
Note: Salaries vary depending on several factors including your level of experience, education, training, demographics, and industry. Here is a sampling of the future job growth and salaries according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Legal Studies
Modality
This degree requires students to meet on campus. Students in these courses enroll in a program to connect in a campus setting and to collaborate using a variety of technological and educational tools. Professors play an inspirational role in building relationships among teams and individuals in this setting. The criteria for many programs can only be met with In-Class coursework. Be sure to check with your advisor to understand the best route to take.
In-Class
Legal Studies
Courses Include
To complete this degree concentration, you will need to complete courses in the university core, Criminal Justice, and electives. Contact us for a current listing of courses required to complete this program.
The course listings below are only a few of the classes this concentration offers. For a full review of this program in detail, please see our official online catalogAND consult with an academic advisor.
Course #
Course Name
Course Description
JUST 2620
Criminal Law
Learn about common law, statutory crime, and more.
JUST 3670
Family Law
Learn the law impacting family relationships such as marriage, divorce, adoption, child support, and more.
JUST 3680
Torts/Civil Actions
Learn the law of private wrongs: negligence theory, duty, breach of duty, and more.
JUST 3730
Real Estate Law
Learn aspects of real estate law concerning present and future estates in realty, concurrent ownership, titles, and more.
JUST 4690
Wills, Trusts, and Estates
Learn the process of estate planning and probate, with emphasis on the practical aspects of will drafting and more.
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