PARALEGAL STUDIES MINOR
(30 HOURS REQUIRED)
Many students who enjoy law and would like to work in a law-related environment are either unable or not yet ready to make the commitment that is required for obtaining a law degree. Such students may find that a paralegal career interests them. Paralegals work as assistants to lawyers. With legal fees rapidly rising, the paralegal field has been a rapid growth area.
There are several options that a student interested in becoming a paralegal can take. Some paralegals have only a high school diploma. Increasingly, however, employers are looking for students with some training either from a paralegal institute or at a college or university. An increasing number of such institutions offer a two-year associate degree in paralegal studies.
In setting up its paralegal program, MTSU contacted a large number of area attorneys and paralegals. Lawyers generally indicated that they preferred to employ individuals with a bachelor degree. Paralegals noted that such a four-year degree led to much greater career flexibility and mobility. MTSU accordingly decided to introduce a paralegal minor as a component of such a four-year degree program rather than as a substitute for it.
The result was the creation of an interdisciplinary minor that is currently housed in MTSU’s Department of Political Science. Students interested in this minor are encouraged to spend their first two years pursuing their general studies requirements. This is also a good time to pick up Political Science 2010 (American Government) and Political Science 2440 (Law and the Legal System) as well as lower division classes in word processing and computing.
In their junior and senior years, students will pursue their major and minor(s). During this time, students minoring in Paralegal Studies will take PLEG 3010 – Litigation and Trial Practice; PLEG 3410 – Family Law; PLEG 3420 – Torts; and English 353 – Legal Research and Writing. They will also take six hours of elective credit from a broad selection of designated classes offered in a variety of MTSU departments. In their senior year, some students will also wish to enroll in the Paralegal Studies Internship (4010).
WHAT DO PARALEGALS DO?
Paralegals work as assistants to lawyers. Paralegals are especially active in the area of research and investigations. They may also be entrusted with routine legal tasks that can be pursued under the supervision of an attorney. Most states, including Tennessee, prohibit paralegals from practicing law independently.
WHAT MAJORS ARE BEST FOR PARALEGALS TO PURSUE?
Paralegals, like other students, usually do best in the discipline that most interests them. Paralegals frequently choose Pre-Law, Political Science, Criminal Justice Administration, English, Computer Studies, and Business Law as majors, but majors in other disciplines might be especially appropriate to students who want to work in a law firm with a specialized interest.
WHAT G.P.A. IS REQUIRED FOR PARALEGAL CLASSES?
Students will not be admitted to upper division paralegal courses unless they have a 2.5 GPA or better.
WILL A PARALEGAL MINOR GUARANTEE A STUDENT A JOB?
No. Many lawyers do appear to value a four-year degree with some paralegal training such as MTSU’s program provides, but preferences may well vary from one attorney to another.
WHAT CAN A STUDENT DO WHO DECIDES NOT TO BECOME A PARALEGAL?
This will vary from one major to another. Students will generally find that a four-year degree will give them a wider scope of options than would be available if they have only a two-year degree or a paralegal certificate.
WHO TEACHES CLASSES IN THE PARALEGAL MINOR PROGRAM?
The classes that are designated as Paralegal Studies (PLEG) are taught by area attorneys, all with law degrees. Other courses offered in the program are taught by full-time faculty members at MTSU.
SHOULD I TAKE THE PARALEGAL MINOR TO GET INTO LAW SCHOOL?
No. Law schools almost always prefer to teach areas of substantive law themselves. The Pre-Law and Political Science majors are popular, albeit far from exclusive, avenues to law school.
IS MTSU’S PARALEGAL PROGRAM ABA ACCREDITED?
No. Although schools differ in their approach to ABA accreditation, MTSU takes the position that its program is already subject to adequate supervision as a regular university program, accountable to the state Board of Regents and other accrediting agencies.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRANSFER PARALEGAL CREDITS TO MTSU?
Yes. However, students transferring credits in paralegal studies from other accredited state institutions which award college credit will be required to take a minimum of 9 hours in paralegal studies at MTSU and fulfill all collateral requirements or their equivalent if they are to receive their paralegal minor at MTSU.
WHAT GRADE MUST STUDENTS EARN IN PARALEGAL CLASSES?
Students are required to have a C average or better in all classes counted toward the Paralegal minor or the collateral requirements for this minor.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I PLAN TO BE A PARALEGAL MINOR?
Read through this carefully and come by the Department of Political Science, Peck Hall 209, to get an advisor.
For further information – write or call:
Dr. Clyde Willis or Dr. John R. Vile
Middle Tennessee State University
Department of Political Science
P.O. Box 29
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Ph (615) 898-2708
Fax (615) 898-5460
You may also contact them by visiting them in their offices on the second floor of Peck Hall or by emailing them at cewillis@mtsu.edu or jvile@mtsu.edu.
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