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The Paralegal Studies minor provides the foundation for students to pursue the paralegal field. The Paralegal Studies minor at Leighton is designed to expose students to the most common areas of law encountered in a legal and business context. A paralegal is not a lawyer and may not give legal advice, accept cases, argue in court, or set fees. Rather, a paralegal is often employed by a law office, corporate legal department, or public entity to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. Paralegals conduct legal research, maintain and organize files, and draft legal documents. The paralegal classes provide an excellent preparation for students wishing to further their education by attending law school.

Upon completion of a minor in Paralegal Studies, students will:

• • Demonstrate effective legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to perform substantive legal work under the direction of an attorney.
  • Understand their ethical obligations in the legal profession.
  • Read, analyze, and synthesize complex information in an organized and logical manner
  • Effectively communicate orally, in writing, and in interpersonal situations
  • Demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of the fundamental concepts and procedures of the American legal system.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role, value, and limitations of the paralegal in the American legal system.
  • Demonstrate high standards of legal ethics and professional behavior.
  • Demonstrate an ability to conduct legal research using both formal and informal methods of information retrieval as well as an ability to synthesize and summarize research.

The Minor in Paralegal Studies will be posted on a student's academic transcript, but not on the diploma. The following requirements must be met for the completion of the minor:

• • The minor requires no fewer than 18 academic credits, with at least nine credits at the upper level (300- or 400-level courses).
  • The student may use a maximum of six credits to satisfy the requirements of both a major and a minor.
  • Courses completed in one minor may not be used to satisfy the requirements in another minor.
  • No more than two of the required foundation courses (or six credits) may be taken at an institution other than the three of the four foundational courses transferred into Leighton may be used.
  • At least one upper-division credits applied to the minor must be taken at Leighton University.
  • No course with an earned grade below “C-" may count towards a general business minor.