The Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies is a professional program designed to prepare students for essential roles in the legal field. The curriculum provides a deep foundation in the U.S. court system, legal research, and substantive areas of law such as Civil Litigation, Torts, and Contracts. Students develop high-level proficiency in handling legal documents and conducting research using both traditional and digital resources.
The program requires 61–63 semester hours, including a Paralegal Practicum that provides real-world experience in a professional legal setting. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes the Rules of Professional Conduct, ensuring graduates are prepared to operate ethically and effectively in law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. This degree serves as both a direct path to the workforce and a strong foundation for those pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| Social Sciences | ||
| SOC 1500 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Natural Science Elective | 3 | |
| Major Required Courses | ||
| PHIL 2619 | Introduction to Logic | 3 |
| PHIL 2627 | Law and Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 |
| LAW 1500 | Introduction to Paralegal Studies | 3 |
| LAW 2600 | Civil Litigation and Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 3701 | Torts | 3 |
| LAW 3702 | Contracts | 3 |
| LAW 3721 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| CRJS 2602 | Criminal Courts | 3 |
| LAW 3750 | Paralegal Practicum | 3 |
| CRJS 3720 | Legal Research | 3 |
| ENGL 3742 | Business Writing | 3 |
| MGT 2604 | Legal and Social Responsibilities of Business | 3 |
| POL 1560 | American Government | 3 |
| SOC 3740 | Complex Organizations | 3 |
| Electives (choose two from below) | 6 | |
| Family Law | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| American Constitutional Law 1: Government Power, Structure, and Limits | ||
| Estate Law | ||
| Real Property/Real Estate Law | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 61-63 | |