About Applied Legal Studies
Please note that a degree in ALS does not enable a person to practice law or give legal advice; only licensed attorneys can perform these functions.
Located next to Government Center in downtown Boston, the Applied Legal Studies (ALS) Program at Suffolk University offers three programs approved by the American Bar Association:
- Bachelor's degree in Applied Legal Studies
- Associate's degree in Applied Legal Studies
- Certificate in Paralegal Studies
The programs in ALS are intended as a legal employment credential. They prepare students to work in a law office, corporate office, government agency or other offices working with the law. Applied Legal Studies classes and the required general education courses for the degree options are available both during the day and in the evening. Students may choose to attend only during the day, only during the evening, or to combine the two. This makes it easy for students to combine work and school.
Our graduates have gone on to work as paralegals or in a related field, or to further their educations. Graduates have found work in small, medium, and large law firms, corporations, insurance companies, state and federal agencies, and a variety of other law-related placements. While the ALS program is not designed primarily to be a pre-law program, some of our graduates do choose to attend law school. Other graduates have pursued advanced degrees in other areas such as Communications or Criminal Justice.
Goals and Objectives
Mission Statement
To provide students with a core of legal knowledge and critical thinking, organization, communication, ethics, and interpersonal skills which will enhance the student's ability to function effectively and ethically in a legal environment, or to pursue higher education.
Student Learning Goals
Upon completing the program, the student will:
- Understand legal concepts.
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Exhibit critical thinking skills.
- Make ethical decisions in the workplace.
- Understand and utilize legal technology.
- Be an effective legal researcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Paralegal?
Paralegals are not licensed to practice law independently but work as valued members of legal teams under the supervision of one or more attorneys.
What do Paralegals do?
Paralegals assist attorneys in a variety of ways. Paralegals conduct investigations, draft legal documents, maintain legal records, prepare pleadings, work with witnesses, perform legal research, and do a variety of other tasks.
Where do Paralegals work?
Paralegals are found in many settings where attorneys work. Paralegals work in law offices, corporations, government agencies, insurance companies, and a variety of other settings under the supervision of one or more attorneys.
Is the Paralegal profession growing?
The paralegal profession continues to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. As the paralegal profession continues to expand, paralegals have been assuming new and greater responsibilities.
What sort of education do Paralegals have?
The educational background of paralegals ranges quite widely. Some paralegals have specialized training and education, while some paralegals have none at all. Specialized training and education is not required in the paralegal profession, but it is increasingly being demanded by the job market. In today's market of competitive commerce, paralegals who possess specialized training and education are faring quite well and filling many of the profession's most highly prized positions.
Is the Suffolk University Paralegal Studies Program ABA approved?
Yes. The Suffolk University Paralegal Studies Program is the only ABA-approved paralegal studies program in Boston.
What difference does ABA approval make?
Graduation from an ABA-approved program is recognized as the most prized educational credential a paralegal can have. More and more employers choose to hire only graduates of ABA-approved paralegal studies programs.
What sorts of degrees in Paralegal Studies does Suffolk offer?
If you are interested in the paralegal profession, you have three courses of study to choose from at Suffolk: a bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, and a certificate program. All three of these programs are designed to prepare you to work as a paralegal in one of the law-related settings described above.
Program Features
- Paralegal studies classes have a small average class size of 15 students per class.
- The program of study meets the rigorous standards established by the American Bar Association, and has been approved by the ABA since 1994.
- The school’s beautiful Beacon Hill campus is within walking distance to the government offices for:
- the City of Boston,
- the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
- the U.S. Federal Government, and
- the Massachusetts State Courts.
- All students have access to the Suffolk Law School’s world class law library.
- Dozens of Paralegal Internship placements with private law firms, government law offices, legal aid offices, state and federal courts and corporate law offices.
- Lifetime career planning and placement.
- Cooperative Education opportunities.
- Extensive Student Services.
- Affiliations:
- Massachusetts Paralegal Association
- American Association for Paralegal Education
- State of the Art computerized legal research facilities with Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis.
- Extensive selection of basic and advanced courses.
Paralegals work in various law-related settings under the supervision of a lawyer. Students may pursue Paralegal Studies to earn a Bachelor’s Degree, an Associates Degree or a Certificate. Advanced Paralegal courses are also available to those who have graduated and participating paralegals who wish to further their education.The courses in this program are designed to provide students with a credential for employment in law related positions. Paralegals work in a law office, corporate office, government agency, insurance agency, legal assistance agency, or other facility under the supervision of an attorney and are laypersons not licensed to practice law independently.
Programs of Study
A Flexible and Convenient Schedule
Paralegal classes and the required core courses in liberal arts and sciences are offered during the day and in the evening. You may elect to attend courses only during the day, only during the evening, or to combine the two. This makes it easy for you to pursue a paralegal studies degree while working.
Bachelor's Degree Programs
In this four-year program, you will combine core courses in liberal arts and sciences with 7 required courses in paralegal studies and 4 elective courses in paralegal studies. You may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The required paralegal studies courses are Introduction to Law and the Legal System, Fundamentals of Paralegal Practice, Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, Civil Litigation, Law of Contracts, and a Paralegal Internship (with an accompanying seminar component). Suffolk currently offers more than 20 elective courses in a variety of subject areas. In today's job market, many employers seeking paralegals are looking for job candidates who possess a bachelor's degree, making a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies a strong employment credential.
Associate Degree Program
In this two-year program, you may pursue an Associate in Science (AS) degree. In addition to core courses in liberal arts and sciences, you must take 5 required courses in paralegal studies and 3 elective courses in paralegal studies. The required paralegal studies courses are Fundamentals of Paralegal Practice, Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, Civil Litigation, and Law of Contracts. Suffolk currently offers more than 20 elective courses in a variety of subject areas.
Certificate Program
To be accepted into the Certificate Program, you must have either 30 credits in liberal arts from an accredited college or university or have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. If you already have a degree and are interested in furthering your education with a concentration in paralegal studies, this program may be for you. You may obtain your certificate in as little as one year. Certificate students must complete 5 required courses in paralegal studies and 3 elective courses in paralegal studies. The required paralegal studies courses are Fundamentals of Paralegal Practice, Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, Civil Litigation, and Law of Contracts. Suffolk currently offers more than 20 elective courses in a variety of subject areas.
Minor in Paralegal Studies
Students pursuing another degree at Suffolk University may elect to minor in paralegal studies by taking Fundamentals of Paralegal Practice, Legal Research and Writing I, Civil Litigation, and any other 2 paralegal studies/legal specialty courses.
Resources
Forms
Useful Links
Links to national and regional resources:
Links to Suffolk University resources:
- Suffolk One Source (Registration, financial aid, etc)
- Career Center
- Counseling Center
- Health Center
Gainful Employment Disclosure
Federally Mandated Gainful Employment Disclosure
| Last Completed Award Year |
2011-12 |
| Program Name: |
Certificate in Paralegal Studies |
| On-time Completion Rate: |
94% |
| Occupations by SOC Code: |
23.2011.00
onetoneline.org **
|
| Total Estimated Tuition & Fee Costs |
$29,798 |
| Books & Supply Costs |
$1,200 |
| Room & Board Costs |
$15,508 |
| Median Title IV Loan Debt |
$6501 |
| Median Private Loan Debt |
$0 |
| Median Dept from Institutional Financing Plans or amount students were obligated to pay at program completion. |
$0 |
*If the number of students who completed the program during the award year was less than 10, for privacy reasons, this information is not disclosed to the public.
**The Occupational Information Network Oo*NET Online) is a database developed by the Department of Labor as a primary source of occupational information.
