Paralegal Studies

Program Director: Graziani 
Program Manager: Dillon

University Studies offers a Paralegal Studies program approved by the American Bar Association. The Program, which began at Hartford College for Women in 1974, was the first legal training program for paralegals in Connecticut. It provides rigorous training in legal specialty courses in preparation for one of the fastest-growing careers in this country.

Paralegals work under the supervision of an attorney in private law firms, banks, public interest and legal aid organizations, governmental agencies, and corporate law departments. They perform a wide variety of legal tasks, such as drafting legal documents, assisting in civil or criminal trial preparation, or preparing articles of incorporation. Their work enables the supervising lawyers to meet the needs of clients more effectively and to deal more efficiently with the complex problems demanding legal expertise.

Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public except as provided by law. The Paralegal Studies program is not designed to prepare students for law school.

Several enrollment options are available to students wishing to pursue a paralegal career. University Studies offers an Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies, a Bachelor of Arts in University Studies with a Concentration in Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Certificate program. Students may choose from these options depending on their individual needs and career goals.

The Paralegal Studies Program is designed to meet the needs of the adult, part-time student. Students may take classes in the evening or on Saturdays, or combine the two. Paralegal Studies courses are taught year-round.

Students who enter a degree program may transfer legal specialty courses taken at prior institutions, based upon an evaluation by the Program Director. Courses will be accepted if they are from accredited colleges or universities in the United States, are from an ABA-approved paralegal program, and are similar in scope and content to the courses in the Paralegal Studies program.

The following limits apply to transfer credits of legal specialty courses toward the major or certificate:
1.   Students may apply no more than 19 credits of transferred legal specialty courses toward the required legal specialty courses for the bachelor’s degree.
2.   Students may apply no more than 12 credits of transferred legal specialty courses toward the required legal specialty courses for the associate’s degree.
3.   Students may not transfer any legal specialty courses to the certificate program.

The Paralegal Studies program does not accept any CLEP or LINCS credit for legal specialty courses.

Note: After matriculation in the associate’s or bachelor’s program, or enrollment in the Paralegal Certificate program, all required Paralegal Studies courses must be taken at the University of Hartford.

Programs

Undergraduate Program(s)

Paralegal Studies, A.S.

Certification

Paralegal Certificate