This program aims to provide a breadth of coverage for students to succeed as paralegals within any environment and allow for continued learning in workplace settings. Lander's curriculum will also prepare a student for graduate education - including, but not limited to, law school.
A Successful Career Begins Here
Earning a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies is an excellent option for anyone wishing for a successful career as a paralegal - in a business, law firm or government agency.
Attorneys realize that persons with a bachelor's degree have greater writing, research, and critical thinking skills, so employers now prefer this credential, and some even require a bachelor's degree. This shift continues the professionalization of this field by state bar associations for many years. This program will prepare graduates to work in the legal profession in private enterprises such as law firms, insurance companies, banks and mortgage companies, or government agencies as a paralegal.
Earn Your Degree Quickly
For students who have earned an associate's degree, this program will take just two years to complete. (If less than 60 hours of coursework has been earned, more time is needed.) Classes are offered in fall, spring, and summer terms, and the time to degree depends upon how much coursework a student takes each term.
We are currently planning 16-week schedules for fall and spring courses and 6-week schedules for summer courses. Lander has the ability to offer 8-week courses during fall and spring as well as courses across the entire summer. If there is sufficient demand for these options, they will be provided.
Online, On Campus or Hybrid Delivery
offered through traditional face-to-face and online environments on Lander's main campus in Greenwood and through a blended/hybrid environment at the University Center of Greenville.
At Lander's main campus and online, students can pursue this degree within a four-year timeframe.
If students have 60 hours of coursework or an associate's degree, the timeframe could be two years or less if a full load of courses is taken in fall, spring, and summer terms.
Lander's main campus offers options for courses that are face-to-face, hybrid, and online. Courses at the UCG are in a hybrid mode, but a full course load of 12-15 hours would likely involve some online courses for progress toward completing the degree. UCG students also have the option of taking courses on Lander's main campus.
While the entire program is offered online, an advantage of pursuing this program on the main campus is the closer relationships and mentorship by faculty as well as opportunities for undergraduate research. Students in any degree mode are encouraged to pursue internships and experiential learning.
The B.S. in Paralegal Studies is a program in the Department of Government, Criminology and Sociology at Lander University. Click here to learn more about the department.
The Department of Government, Criminology and Sociology is housed in Lander University’s College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. For more information on the college, click here.
Transfer Pathway Guides
Lander University has developed articulation agreements with the South Carolina State Technical College system to improve students’ transition from a technical college to Lander University.
Below is the Suggested Course Sequence to help students progress smoothly through the technical college of their choice and Lander University to earn both an Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies (LU). All courses listed are required for the degrees, except those where a range of courses is available to choose from, or where courses are listed as electives. The course sequence shown is an example and may be modified in some cases. Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure the chosen courses keep them on track for a timely graduation.
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 | CREDIT HOURS |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Core Skills |
|
||
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Inquiry I | 3 | |
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Inquiry II | 3 | |
| Approved Mathematics | 3 | ||
|
B. Humanities and Fine Arts |
|||
| PHIL 103 |
Logic |
3 | |
|
Approved Humanities and Fine Arts elective |
3 | ||
| C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives (6 hours selected from 2 different disciplines) |
6 | ||
| D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | |||
| Approved Science or Mathematics | 3 | ||
| Approved Lab Science | 4 | ||
| E. Founding Documents of the United States | |||
| POLS 101R2 |
American National Government |
3 | |
| F. World Cultures | 3 | ||
| G. LINK 101 | 1 | ||
| Total General Education Requirements | 35 | ||
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
2 If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R
| MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 201 | Financial Accounting Principles OR MGMT 201 Principles of Management |
3 |
| BA 251 | Business Law | 3 |
| COM 275 | Professional Communications | 3 |
| LEG 308 | Law, Politics, & Society | 3 |
| LEG 499 | Advanced Legal Research | 3 |
| PHIL 302 | Ethics | 3 |
| POLS 386 | State & Local Government | 3 |
| MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| Law (select three) LEG 311: Constitutional Law LEG 312: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties LEG 313: Judicial Process LEG 366: International Law LEG 371: Special Topics in Legal Studies |
9 | |
Technical Writing (select one) ENGL 350: Professional Revising and Editing WRIT 373: Writing and Research Methods WRIT 450: Technical Writing |
3 |
|
| MAJOR PROGRAM ELECTIVES | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| 200-level LEG electives* |
12 |
|
| Total Major Program Requirements | 45 | |
| Additional Electives | 40 | |
| TOTAL FOR B.S. DEGREE | 120 | |
*A minimum of 12 hours of LEG coursework from an Associate's degree program in Paralegal Studies that includes these courses—Introduction to Law and Ethics, Legal Writing, Legal Bibliography, and one more LEG course at the 100- or 200-level is required for admission. An Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies is preferred.