Georgana Taggart, J.D., Chairperson
The Department of Legal Studies offers a major in paralegal studies (BA and AA), minors in legal studies and political science, and a certificate in paralegal studies.
Departmental policy for all bachelor of arts and associate in arts programs within Legal Studies: A grade of "C" or higher is required in all major, minor and cognate courses. All students majoring in paralegal studies must complete the departmental core curriculum capstone.
Paralegal Studies
Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610-4714, (800) 285-2221, the Paralegal Studies program was developed in 1976 in response to the ABA’s recommendation that paralegals be trained to help in providing efficient legal services. The program is designed to prepare men and women to become paralegals – professionals who perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a licensed attorney. A paralegal performs many of the functions of a lawyer, such as preparing cases for court and assisting with clients’ various legal matters. Among other things, paralegals interview clients, acquire factual data, draft court pleadings and legal documents, and research statutes, cases and legal source material. Paralegals are nonlawyers and, as such, are not licensed to practice law. Therefore, graduates of the program may not engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The program will provide those students who wish to become practicing attorneys with an excellent opportunity to prepare for law school.
The Mount’s Paralegal Studies program offers both general preparation for the profession and concentration in specific areas of the law, providing a broad base of knowledge for practicing paralegals. The program of study emphasizes: theoretical and practical information in many important legal speciality practice areas; the fundamentals of manual and computer based legal research; proficiency in legal writing; and the development of ethical and critical thinking. Further, students develop an understanding of the values underlying the legal system and of the ethical considerations arising in paralegal practice. The program promotes an understanding of how the individual student fits into the legal system, both as a professional and as a citizen.
The program prepares students to think critically, analyze facts and concepts, synthesize information, and articulate concepts and information verbally and in writing. These capabilities are essential to the effective paralegal.
The combination of general and specialized paralegal studies available through the Mount’s program provides a strong foundation for practicing paralegals, increases the employment options available to graduates, and offers solid preparation for future studies in the field of law.
Persons trained in paralegal studies can apply their skills in a variety of career settings including law firms, corporate legal departments, governmental positions, the court system, title companies, banks, insurance companies, and others.
Credits awarded at other institutions are subject to review prior to acceptance by the Paralegal Studies program as paralegal studies credits. A minimum of 12 credit hours in paralegal studies course work must be completed at the College of Mount St. Joseph prior to the awarding of a paralegal studies degree, or 18 credit hours in the case of a certificate, to a student transferring into the program from another institution. A minimum of 9 credit hours in paralegal studies course work must be completed at the Mount prior to the awarding of a minor in paralegal studies.
The College offers four tracks in paralegal studies: 1) a bachelor of arts degree; 2) an associate in arts degree; 3) a minor in paralegal studies, for those students pursuing a major outside of the Paralegal Studies program; and 4) a certificate program for persons who already have a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree with a sufficient number of general education credits.
Learning Outcomes
Political Science
Courses in political science are designed to enable students to appreciate and more fully participate in the political process that runs through their personal and professional lives and to acquire knowledge and skills preparatory to a career in government, business, law, education, or politics.
Licensure for Teachers
Students choosing a minor in political science who also want to pursue Ohio teacher licensure must satisfy the same requirements as the minor and additional requirements in humanities, behavioral sciences, and education. The pertinent Adolescent to Young Adult License (grades 7-12) is integrated social studies. See Education. A concentration in social studies is available in the Middle Childhood Licensure (grades 4-9) program. See Education.