Paralegal Studies Minor

Program Overview

The Paralegal Studies Minor at the University of Cincinnati provides knowledge and understanding of legal concepts, but it does not prepare students for a career as a paralegal. The program emphasizes that paralegal education is distinct from law school education, and graduates cannot practice law. Instead, it prepares students for employment roles that support the legal profession.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Paralegal Studies Minor program at the University of Cincinnati is designed to expose students to the field of paralegal studies. This program does NOT prepare students to work as a Paralegal. The program aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of various legal concepts, including:

• Maintaining client files
• Drafting correspondence
• Performing factual and legal research
• Monitoring deadlines
• Maintaining conflicts-of-interest systems
• Drafting, investigating, and analyzing documents
• Acting as a liaison with clients and others
The program emphasizes that paralegal education is not equivalent to a law school education. Graduates of paralegal programs are not qualified or eligible to take the bar examination. Academic credit for paralegal courses is not transferable for advanced standing in law school.

Careers:

The program explicitly states that it does NOT prepare students to work as a paralegal. However, it mentions that the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the paralegal profession to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth stems from law firms and other employers with legal staffs increasingly hiring paralegals to lower the cost and increase the availability and efficiency of legal services.

• Paralegals are expected to write clearly and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Paralegals must possess a high degree of motivation and analytical reasoning capability.
• They need to pay attention to detail.
• Candidates should also be responsible, well-organized, mature individuals who are sincerely interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal.
• They must be trustworthy and discreet.
• Paralegals, like attorneys, are required to hold a position of trust with their client.
• As a paralegal, you must respect attorney-client confidentiality.
• Paralegals must possess good "people skills" and be able to work as part of the legal team.
• Computer skills are essential.