Professional Legal Studies
EXT's ABA-approved program is a practice-oriented course of study designed to prepare students to become paralegals.
Format
Schedule
Classes start: January 24 and March 22
Credits Required
61 credits
Cost
Fees
Tuition and Textbooks, No Additional Fees
Ways to Save
Are you:
A resident of Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Foster, Glocester, Pawtucket or Providence?
A municipal or state government employee?
A veteran or military member?
Unemployed or underemployed?
Deserving of credit for life experience?
Ask EXT about Ways to Save.
Apply By
Format
Online
Hybrid
In Person
Schedule
Classes Begin: Aug. 31
Credits Required
121 credits
Cost
Ways to Save
Are you:
A resident of Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Foster, Glocester, Pawtucket or Providence?
A municipal or state government employee?
A veteran or military member?
Unemployed or underemployed?
Deserving of credit for life experience?
Ask UC about Ways to Save.
Apply By
You Can
Approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1988, and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, our Paralegal Studies program signals to employers that you have the necessary skills to be an effective professional.
Whether you're a practicing paralegal looking to advance or you're looking to join the field, we deliver a program that puts you in the best position to pursue a successful career as a paralegal working with or in legal, corporate, healthcare, nonprofit or government organizations.
We're Here to Help
At EXT, we support you on your individual path. Whether you are just starting out or picking up where you left off, we work with you to accomplish your goals. As you work with our faculty, each respected in their field, you'll build lasting connections that open doors to your success.
You'll receive one-on-one guidance from your advisor each step of the way. You may take advantage of our Prior Learning Assessment, applying transfer credit, trainings and assessments, military experience, work experience, and self-taught skills toward your degree.
You Need
- A desire to be an essential part of the legal system
- Official transcripts from high school, college
You Don't Need
- Entrance exam
- SAT/ACT scores
- Admission essay
- Application fee
Taught By Sitting Judges and Practicing Lawyers
Their knowledge and experience ensures everything you learn applies to the professional world and stays ahead of industry changes. You won't just study books on how the law works, you will learn it directly from the people who are practicing it.
"I teach my students all sorts of subsets of litigation. I was a litigator as an attorney and now people litigate cases before me. I teach students from my hands-on experience from the start of a case through the ultimate appeal, if necessary,"
Michael Feeney, Judge, Rhode Island Worker's Compensation Court
His Advice: Get involved, and it opens doors.
More: Teaching As An Extension of Law: Judge Michael Feeney, EXT Adjunct Professor
Paralegals work in a variety of law offices. Our students receive education in many different facets of substantive law, including litigation, criminal law, legal databases and alternative dispute resolution in order to develop well-rounded legal professionals capable of succeeding in any field. It should be noted that paralegals are prohibited from the practice of law except when allowed by law or court rule.
Sample Courses
Legal Research & Writing
Emerging Technologies in the Legal Environment
Criminal Law for the Paralegal
Bachelor & Associate Degree Options
This ABA approved Paralegal Program prepares you to complete any paralegal assignment in a competent, professional, and ethical manner.
Our graduates pursue successful careers as paralegals in legal, corporate, non-profit, or government organizations, and many continue to law school.
13 required courses
10 core courses
3 paralegal electives
+ 15 electives
________________________
41 courses (121 credits)
The Associate in Professional Legal Studies program covers the fundamental skills you'll need to start a career as a professional paralegal working closely with attorneys.
Our graduates pursue successful careers as paralegals in legal, corporate, non-profit, or government organizations, and many continue to law school.
8 required courses
7 core courses
1 paralegal elective
+ 5 electives
________________________
21 courses (61 credits)
Paralegal Certificates
These professional certificates are pathways for people with experience in other fields to become paralegals in their area of focus. Take advantage of these fast-track options to get working as a paralegal if you have experience in nursing, healthcare, or another field.
This professional certificate program is designed to introduce professionals in the healthcare industry to the legal system and the role of the paralegal in the field. You will study specific practice areas where medical knowledge is particularly appropriate.
It is open to students who have previously earned 60 hours of credit or a baccalaureate or associate degree, and who have at least 4,000 hours of nursing experience.
This program is designed to allow our graduates to meet the needs of the business employer who requires experience in medical as well as legal issues. These would include law firms, hospitals, insurance companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and health care systems.
10 required courses = 30 credits
This professional certificate program provides specialized legal training that builds on top of a non-legal degree, preparing students for paralegal careers.
This program is open to students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree.
9 required courses
+ 2 paralegal electives
________________________
11 courses (31 credits)
Flexible Options to Suit Your Schedule
The entire Paralegal Studies degree can be completed from anywhere you are. The majority of the courses are available online without specific course meeting times. In accordance with ABA requirements, a minimum of 9 credits (3 courses) of legal specialty courses must be taken in synchronous instruction. That means you will either attend class meetings through your computer at our conveniently located campus in downtown Providence. Your advisor will help you determine the best schedule for you.
Your Career
As the legal industry experiences transformation due to economic and technological changes, opportunities for accomplished and technically-savvy paralegals have increased significantly. These careers are expected to grow by 12 percent in the next 10 years, more than twice as fast as average. Many of our graduates continue on to law school.
While career outlooks depend on candidate experience and specific employer requirements, the table below reflects median salaries for health care administrators in the following potential positions*
| Profession | What You'll Do | What You Need | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Paralegal | Perform legal tasks to support pharmaceutical companies | Bachelor's degree | $80,320 |
| Hospital Legal Support Worker | Study documents and medical records related to claims or law suits, interpret medical terminology and industry jargon | Bachelor's degree | $65,400 |
| Insurance Claims Investigator | Evaluate insurance claims | Bachelor's degree | $66,340 |
| Litigation paralegal | Perform a variety of tasks to support lawyers | Associate's degree | $54,500 |
| Legal Secretary | Prepare legal papers and correspondence | Associate's degree | $52,410 |
| Title Examiner | Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents. | Postsecondary non-degree to Bachelor's | $47,130 |
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Job outlook: 2018-2028. Mean salary: 2018
Program Objectives
- To teach you substantive and procedural law with the objective of preparing you to complete any paralegal assignment in a competent, professional, and ethical manner.
To develop your legal writing skills by exercising your critical thinking skills and analytical skills.- To give you an understanding of legal research and to develop your ability to locate answers to legal questions.
- To ensure that you have up-to-date skills in technology, including the use of computers for data and word processing, and legal research.
- Through practical application, to improve your ability to work cooperatively with others; develop your leadership skills and the ability to assume responsibility; and to improve your ability to follow directions.
- To maintain good communications with private and public legal services providers to ensure that the paralegal program stays abreast of changes in the legal field in order to provide you with meaningful and current paralegal training.
- To maintain good relations with national, state, and local bars and paralegal associations and to work collaboratively with these groups to improve and increase the utilization of paralegal services.
Program Outcomes
- Provide students with knowledge of ethics and professional responsibility to enable them to recognize these values and perform legal services in an ethical manner.
- Provide each student with tools to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Develop in each student the ability to communicate effectively through training in legal research, writing, listening and speaking skills.
- Provide each student with the ability to be a competent legal professional by providing legal theory and practical skills utilized in the legal environment.
Individualized Support, More Affordable
At EXT, you get the individualized attention of a private university at a more affordable cost. There are multiple options for financial aid, scholarships, and accelerated paths to get you to the degree you need. Some programs run by Roger Williams are awarded by simply applying for admission, while others are awarded to students through a more formal aid application process.
To ensure full consideration for all aid programs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Learn More About Tuition at EXT
Questions?
Everyone has questions. Our Pathway Specialists are here to help. Contact EXT Admissions at ucadmissions@rwu.edu.