Paralegal Studies
Paralegals form an important part of the legal profession. Under the supervision of
lawyers, they conduct a variety of legal business, such as drafting documents and
doing research.
The Paralegal profession is very diverse; there is no generic paralegal. Paralegals
are ages 20 through 70, male/female, people with degrees, changing careers, and many
have families. At Columbus State, we strive to set a new national standard for Paralegal
education and to provide effective delivery of legal services for the 21st Century.
CSCC Paralegal Program Overview
The ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Program at Columbus State is built around training students to
be successful paralegals. Our faculty have decades of real-world experience working
as attorneys, paralegals, government officials, and a variety of other legal professionals.
Students in the Paralegal Studies department get hands-on, real-world training so
that when they leave the classroom they are ready to enter the workforce.
The technical curriculum has been designed to provide students with knowledge and
skills required to be a highly-qualified Paralegal. The Columbus State Paralegal curriculum
offers courses in areas of: the role of a paralegal, ethical considerations, legal
research (including Westlaw® and Lexis®), legal writing, the preparation of legal
documents such as motions and complaints, litigation practice and procedure, real
estate transactions, family law, administrative law, criminal law, and probate law
and practice. Courses that promote critical thinking and communication skills, such
as English, Humanities, Social Science and Basic Science are included in the Columbus
State Paralegal Studies curriculum.
Columbus State offers both an Associate Degree and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
for those who have their Bachelor's Degree. Both the degree and certificate can be
completed online, or, through a blend of traditional and online classes. At least
nine (9) semester credits of the paralegal specialty classes must be completed through
synchronous (real-time) instruction, whether in a traditional classroom or utilizing
an online learning platform.
Programs and Certificates