Program Overview

Legal Studies – An ABA Approved Program

Overview

The Legal Studies program at Faulkner University is designed to prepare students for careers as paraprofessionals in the legal field. The program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) and provides students with the experience and education needed to make a strong application to law school.

Program Details

• Degree Options: A.S. in Legal Studies, B.S. in Legal Studies, Associate in Legal Studies (ALS), or Bachelor in Legal Studies (BLS)
• ABA Approval: The program was approved by the ABA Standing Committee for reapproval on April 1, 2025
• Program Objectives:
  1. To offer a curriculum in which Legal Studies students demonstrate a broad understanding of substantive law and procedural law.
  2. To prepare Legal Studies students to apply non-complex legal concepts to factual situations, compose basic legal arguments, and produce basic legal documents.
  3. To prepare Legal Studies students to demonstrate the ability to conduct basic legal research of primary and secondary sources, validate research results, and cite primary and secondary sources using Bluebook citation form.
  4. To prepare Legal Studies students to demonstrate the personal and professional ethics that are expected in the workplace.
  5. To prepare Legal Studies students to demonstrate interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace.
  6. To graduate Legal Studies students who have an understanding of the paralegal career, skills needed, and employment opportunities available.

Guidelines for Transferring Credits

• Transfer Credits: The program accepts no more than 50 percent of legal specialty courses in transfer from regionally accredited institutions.
• Residency Requirement: A minimum residency of 40 percent at the Montgomery campus is required for all transfer students.
• Upper-Level Credits: Faulkner University requires at least 36 upper-level credits for all bachelor’s degree programs.

Program Curriculum

• View Curriculum: Bachelor Programs, Associate Programs

Career Opportunities

• Paralegal Career: Graduates are prepared to work as paraprofessionals, assisting lawyers and specialists throughout the legal field.
• Law School: The program provides students with the experience and education needed to make a strong application to law school.

Important Notes

• Paralegal Services: Paralegals may not provide legal services directly to the public, except as permitted by law.