Paralegal Studies

The Kutztown University Criminal Justice Program offers students a chance to simultaneously obtain a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice and to complete an American Bar Association approved Paralegal Studies Program. Students who select this option take seven Paralegal Courses from instructors provided through our alliance with the Paralegal Studies Program of Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC). The Concentration in paralegal studies replaces the major course Concomitant and Arts and Sciences Electives. The program entails the study of the paralegal profession as well as the limitations imposed by unauthorized practice of law. Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as permitted by law.

All Paralegal Studies courses are offered on the Kutztown University campus by LCCC staff. The Paralegal Concentration is comprised of seven Paralegal Courses offered exclusively through our alliance with Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Paralegal Career Opportunities

There are many rationales for completing Paralegal Studies. Some intend to do full-time paralegal work for law firms upon graduation, following in the footsteps of several recent Criminal Justice graduates. Others see it as giving them an "edge-up" when they eventually attend law school. Still, others see the completion of the program option as giving them a competitive advantage when they apply to criminal justice agencies.

Program requirements

The concentration consists of the following required courses: 
PLG 120 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 
PLG 150 Torts and Personal Injury Law 
PLG 200 Civil Litigation 
PLG 215 Law Office Management 
PLG 220 Contract Law and Business Organizational Law 
PLG 245 Legal Research and Writing

In addition, each student must select a total of three credits from the following: 
PLG 125 Workers' Compensation Law for Paralegals 
PLG 130 Social Security Disability Practice for Paralegals 
PLG 135 Legal Interviewing 
PLG 230 Estates and Trusts 
PLG 235 Family Law 
PLG 240 Bankruptcy Law 
PLG 250 Legal Internship 
PLG 255 Legal Writing

LCCC’s Paralegal Studies program options are primarily offered through synchronous instruction. Paralegal Studies classes may be enhanced with asynchronous materials. Paralegal Studies students must take at least nine-semester credits or the equivalent of legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

American Bar Assocation Logo with text "American Bar Association ABA Approved Paralegal Program"

For more information on this program, contact either the Criminal Justice Program office at (484) 646-4265 or the program coordinator at LCCC: Diane Tallarita, (610) 799-1594, e-mail dtallarita@lccc.edu