Professional Legal Studies
EXT's ABA-approved program is a practice-oriented course of study designed to prepare students to become paralegals.
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
Professional Legal Studies, A.S.
The Professional Legal Studies program is a practice-oriented course of study designed to prepare students as paralegals. As the legal industry experiences transformation due to economic and technological changes, opportunities for accomplished and technically-savvy paralegals have increased significantly. Professional Legal Studies students receive education in many different facets of law, including the use of computers, legal databases and alternative dispute resolution. The Professional Legal Studies Program combines academic rigor with legal and technical competencies to develop well-rounded legal professionals. Our graduates pursue successful careers as paralegals in legal, corporate, non-profit, or government organizations, and many continue to law school.
This program is approved by the American Bar Association. In accordance with ABA requirements, minimum of 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses must be taken in a traditional classroom setting or online through synchronous learning. Paralegals are prohibited from the practice of law except when allowed by law or court rule.
None of the Professional Legal Studies offerings are affiliated with the Legal Studies Program offered by the University's day division. These include the bachelor and associate degree programs as well as the certificate programs. University College students in the Professional Legal Studies programs will not satisfy degree or certificate requirements by taking Legal Studies Program courses. Only the Professional Legal Studies degree and certificate programs are ABA approved.
Total Credits Required to Graduate: 61 credits
RWU Extension School Associate Degree General Education Requirements
Two Writing Courses
- WTNG 102 - How Writing Works
- WTNG 225 - Writing in Professional and Public Contexts
One Effective Speaking Course
- IDS 210 - Effective Speaking Across Audiences
One Mathematics Skills Course
- MATH 110 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Two of the five Core Curriculum Courses
Six courses in one, but not more than two areas from social science/professionals studies disciplines
Program Requirements
Required Courses (22 credits)
Major Electives (3 credits)
Select one course fromProfessional Legal Studies Course Electives
Total Major Credits: 25 credits
Electives (15 credits)
Healthcare Paralegal Certificate
This program is designed to provide paralegal education and the skills necessary for students with a medical background to expand their careers into the legal arena. It is open to students who have previously earned 60 hours of credit or baccalaureate or associate degree, and who have at least 4000 hours of nursing experience. Students will learn substantive law and procedural practices. This program is designed to allow the graduates to meet the needs of that sector of the business community which requires expertise in medical as well as legal issues, including law firms, hospitals, insurance companies, consulting firms, government agencies, and health care systems. The successful graduate will be able to bring specialized medical training and experience to the legal field, particularly in litigation-related practice, and will be able to apply legal knowledge and skills to health-care related occupations such as risk management. Ten courses are required for the certificate. Studies for this certificate program may be combined with courses in the bachelor degree programs in Paralegal Studies or Social and Health Services.
This program is approved by the American Bar Association. In accordance with ABA requirements, minimum of 9 semester credits of legal specialty courses must be taken in a traditional classroom setting or online through synchronous learning. Paralegals are prohibited from the practice of law except when allowed by law or court rule.
Program Requirements
Required Courses
- PLS 100 - Introduction to Law and Legal Studies
- PLS 235 - Torts
- or
- PLS 250 - Workers' Compensation
- and
- PLS 236 - Medical and Legal Malpractice
- PLS 210 - Legal Research & Writing
- PLS 211 - Legal Research & Writing II
- PLS 310 - Litigation I
- PLS 311 - Litigation II
- HCA 413 - Moral and Ethical Issues in Health Care
- HCA 415 - Health Care Administration I
- HCA 416 - Health Care Administration II
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.