Legal Assistant Certificate

The Certificate in Legal Assistant (paralegal) offers courses that are designed to prepare students to work as a paralegal or to go on to law school. The skills the student will learn include legal research, interviewing, investigation, legal drafting, preparation of evidence and witnesses for trial, and assisting in the trial of a lawsuit. Students who qualify may earn a Legal Assistant Certificate while also earning an Associate of Science or Bachelor of Science.

Core Requirements
LAT 101Introduction to Law3
LAT 115Paralegal Studies3
LAT 220Legal Research3
LAT 225Litigation3
LAT 250Legal Computer Applications3
LAT 310Legal Drafting3
LAT 400Advanced Legal Research3
CRJ 365Practicum I3
or CRJ 465 Internship
Restricted Electives
Select nine credit hours from the following:9
Criminal Evidence
Business Law I
Business Law II
Real Property
Tort Law
Interpersonal Conflict Resolution
Study Away in Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Probate Law
Domestic Relations
Civil Rights Law
Conflict Management
Selected Legal Topics
Substance Use and Disorders
Death And Dying
Family and Child Welfare

 NOTE: Students must complete a Contact Information form prior to graduation. Per ABA program approval guidelines, students must also complete an exit interview with selected department faculty.

Graduation Requirements 

  1. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
  2. Earn 9 of the last 15 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
  3. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments. 
  4. No more than 2 courses with a grade of D permitted in major coursework.
  5. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.5.