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Tulane's Paralegal Studies Program prepares professionals who are ready to succeed in today's competitive legal environment. According to the American Bar Association, a paralegal is:
Paralegals are not lawyers and do not practice law. Under the supervision of attorneys, they work in large and small law firms, banks, corporations, legislatures, administrative agencies, legal aid offices and clinics, and in public and private advocacy associations. The primary goal of Tulane's Paralegal Studies Program is to educate students of diverse backgrounds to become effective, ethical and professional paralegals who are employable in a variety of legal settings and who are committed to on-going improvement and continuing paralegal education. The program encourages diversity in its student body and faculty and is committed to equal opportunity in its placement program. The program achieves this goal by meeting the following objectives: 1. To provide students with a comprehensive general education that includes studies in writing, formal thought, speech, the humanities, sciences and social sciences, and that is designed to develop students' critical thinking and communication skills. 2. To educate students about the role of the paralegal in the delivery of legal services. 3. To educate students to perform legal and factual investigation and research using both traditional and technology-based methods. 4. To educate students about the court system,
including civil, criminal and administrative fields, on trial and
appellate levels, and also on alternative dispute resolution methods. 5. To teach students to analyze factual situations, handle legal procedures, and draft legal documents used in state and federal practice. 6. To prepare students to function effectively with the computer technology used in practice and to adapt to ever-changing technological advances. 7. To assist students to develop the organizational skills necessary for successful law office functioning, including categorizing and organizing documents, calendaring, prioritizing work, managing time, using forms, and maintaining billing data. 8. To expose students to a range of specialty areas enabling them to explore their interests and to prepare for careers in a variety of settings, including but not limited to admiralty law, family law, corporate law, personal injury and medical malpractice, healthcare compliance, and succession practice. 9. To provide students with an understanding of the rules of professional conduct involving lawyers and their application to paralegals and of the ethical codes and canons of the national paralegal associations. 10. To encourage students to engage in lifelong
learning and professional development and to provide continuing
paralegal education opportunities for graduates and other members
of the local paralegal community. The program runs a job placement service at no cost to students, graduates, or employers. Students are encouraged to join TUPA, the Tulane University Paralegal Association, to take advantage of the networking and mentoring opportunities available. TUPA sponsors an annual Career Fair and CLE workshop. Students can earn a Certificate in Paralegal Studies by completing (1) an Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies; (2) a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies; or (3) a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Paralegal Studies (open to students who hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college). Paralegal studies majors with no prior college coursework must take general education course their first semester. ENGL 101/UENG 125 is a prerequisite for enrollment in any Paralegal Studies course. Bachelor of Arts
in Paralegal Studies
In addition, the Bachelor's Degree requires 63 credits of core and other requirements for a total of 124 credits:
Associate
of Arts in Paralegal Studies For students with little or no college experience, the recommended path is to pursue the Associate of Arts degree and then to continue working towards the Bachelor of Arts degree. All coursework for the A.A. rolls forward and applies towards the Bachelor's degree. Students earn their Certificate in Paralegal Studies upon completion of the requirements for the 60-semester hour Associate of Arts degree.
In addition, the Bachelor's Degree requires 38-41 credits of core and elective requirements for a total of 61 credits:
Paralegal Studies Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (27 credits) Students receive the paralegal certificate only upon completion of all degree requirements.
Students do not earn a paralegal certificate by completing a minor. The minor does not constitute a program option under ABA Guidelines and is not approved by the American Bar Association.
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School of Continuing Studies | Tulane University | 125 Gibson Hall | New Orleans, LA 70118 | (504) 865-5555 | askscs@tulane.edu