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Paralegal Studies

Associate of Science

Overview

Do you enjoy writing, researching and hunting down information under pressure? And do you love serving others, especially during stressful times in their lives? While paralegals don’t practice law, they assist attorneys and clients to make a significant difference in the legal system and in people’s lives.

Program

In your paralegal program, you’ll gain knowledge about law, the court system, and legal terminology and procedures. You’ll also learn how to draft legal documents and papers, summarize them for practicing attorneys and understand legal research methods and proper citation.

Courses in business, family and property law will help you understand the impact of law on everyday life. And you’ll also be equipped to effectively interview clients and witnesses. An internship with a local attorney or law office prepares you for your career through valuable hands-on experience under law experts.

Throughout your program, you’ll learn the importance of applying Bible principles to life and explore how your spiritual and professional lives connect. You’ll discover why honesty, integrity and diligence matter to paralegals and how to glorify God with this character in your work.

BJU Core

Through economics, English and speech courses, you’ll learn how to think critically and communicate clearly in any job situation. More importantly, Bible courses will provide a solid foundation on God’s Word so you’ll know what you believe about God, and how to live your faith and share it with others.

Licensure Disclosure

Your Future

Jobs

The paralegal studies program unlocks many career opportunities in

  • Law firms
  • Government agencies
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Health care organizations
  • Other businesses

Graduate Experience

Our grads have entered various careers and secured jobs as:

  • Paralegal supervisor at Thomas, Fisher & Edwards, P.A.
  • Paralegal for Christian Law Association
  • Legislative clerk for House Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Legal assistant at E. Scott Sanders, Attorney
  • Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve
  • Writer, editor at Fox Carolina

Career Support

BJU offers students many ways to network with employers and organizations. In addition to our online job board, over 200 businesses and Christian organizations recruit students through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs.

Our Center for Career & Calling also holds seminars on resume prep and interview techniques for students.

books

Learning Experience

Internships

You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience through 150 hours of work in a professional legal setting during your internship. By networking and building relationships during this time, you can invest in and advance your paralegal career before graduation.

University Business Association

In the University Business Association (UBA), you’ll interact in forum setting with successful Christian business professionals who’ve used their work for ministry and pointing others to Jesus. Strengthen your leadership skills by joining the Executive Council, a student-led, UBA group that organizes UBA events, including a yearly Bible Conference offering fundraiser.

Community Service Council

Because community involvement enriches the BJU experience, many students volunteer for outreach with the Community Service Council (CSC). This student-led organization connects you to local businesses and communities and oversees events such as cleaning up the Greenville Zoo and local parks, sponsoring an on-campus blood drive and collecting funds for charitable organizations.

Faculty

Photo of Jeff Adams
Jeff Adams
Division of Management

View Faculty

BJU’s paralegal faculty have over 35 years of combined teaching experience in areas such as law, communication, business and criminal justice. All hold terminal degrees in their field and are licensed attorneys in good standing with over 60 years of combined law experience.

Courses & Objectives

Program Objectives

Each student will:

  • Apply analytic, critical thinking and research skills to fact situations within a legal context.
  • Demonstrate professional skills necessary to a paralegal career, including oral and written communication and technology skills.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical standards that affect the role of a paralegal in a law office through a biblical worldview.
  • Demonstrate appropriate use of primary and secondary legal research tools, including legal digests, citators and online data banks.

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