Associate of Applied Science
From law firms and corporate legal departments to government entities and insurance companies, employers are hiring an increasing number of paralegals to take on many of the tasks previously performed by lawyers, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing costs.* As a result, employment for legal assistants is expected to grow much faster than the national average for all occupations through 2014.†
At Kaplan University, our paralegal program combines classroom instruction, hands-on training in our specially designed labs, and real-world externship experience to help you prepare for a successful career as a paralegal. In addition to a solid core of general education and legal courses, you can choose electives to tailor the program to your interests, such as real estate, labor and employment, or family law.
Prior to graduation, you will be required to complete a legal externship during which you can apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom to actual work situations under the supervision of the program director.
In addition, the curriculum can help prepare you for the Certified Legal Assistant Exam (CLA) sponsored by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).‡
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies degree and can pursue entry-level employment in law firms, private attorneys' offices, courthouses, government agencies, insurance companies, and legal departments in positions such as:
- Paralegal
- Legal secretary
- Administrative assistant
- Title abstractors