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Paralegal Studies - Minor

Paralegal Studies - Minor

The Paralegal Studies minor provides you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to support legal professionals in a variety of settings. With experienced faculty, hands-on learning opportunities and a flexible curriculum, you'll gain valuable insights into the legal system and develop the critical thinking and communication skills that are essential for success in the field.

While the majority of the program can be completed online, the following three courses must be taken either in person or in a remote synchronous format:

  • PLST 18000 Introduction to Paralegal Studies and Professional Ethics;
  • PLST 28001 Legal Research; and
  • PLST 28004 Civil Procedure.

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Minor in Paralegal Studies

Graduates who complete Kent State University’s Minor in Paralegal Studies are well-prepared to enhance their careers in various fields related to law and legal services. This minor can complement degrees in business, criminal justice, or social sciences, enabling graduates to pursue roles as legal assistants, compliance coordinators, or court clerks within law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. The skills gained in legal research, document drafting, and understanding legal procedures provide a valuable foundation for those looking to work in legal environments or support roles. Additionally, this minor can serve as a stepping stone for students considering further education in law or related fields.

Program Information for Paralegal Studies - Minor

Program Description

Full Description

The Paralegal Studies minor provides the foundation for students to pursue the paralegal field. A paralegal is employed by a law office, corporate legal department or public entity to perform substantive legal work under the supervision of a lawyer. Paralegals conduct legal research, maintain and organize files and draft legal documents. Paralegals also work with clients and witnesses in preparing cases for trial.

The program prepares students for the Certified Paralegal exam from the National Association of Legal Assistants. A paralegal is not a lawyer and may not give legal advice, accept cases, argue in court or set fees.

Admissions for Paralegal Studies - Minor

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze a legal problem as well as identify and evaluate alternative solutions.
  2. Formulate logical solutions to problems and construct logical arguments in support of specific positions as well as evaluate solutions and arguments.
  3. Determine which areas of law are relevant to a particular situation.
  4. Apply principles of professional ethics to specific factual situations.
  5. Identify interrelationships among cases, statutes, regulations and other legal authorities.
  6. Apply recognized legal authority to a specific factual situation.
  7. Analyze factual situations to determine when it is appropriate to apply exceptions to general legal rules.
  8. Apply exceptions to general legal rules.
  9. Distinguish evidentiary facts from other material and/or controlling facts.
  10. Identify factual omissions and inconsistencies.
Coursework
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Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements
PLST 18000INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGAL STUDIES AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS 3
PLST 28001LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING 3
PLST 28004CIVIL PROCEDURE 3
PLST 36792INTERNSHIP IN PARALEGAL (ELR) 3
Minor Elective, choose from the following:3
PLST 28003
FAMILY LAW AND PROCEDURE
PLST 28007
ESTATE AND PROBATE ADMINISTRATION
PLST 35001
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FOR PARALEGALS
PLST 35003
HEALTH LAW
PLST 35005
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR PARALEGALS
PLST 35007
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
PLST 38003
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND PROCESS
PLST 38005
TORT LAW
PLST 38006
APPLIED LEGAL RESEARCH AND LITIGATION (WIC)
PLST 40095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES
PLST 42701
EVIDENCE AND E-DISCOVERY
PLST 42705
BANKRUPTCY LAW I: BASIC FUNDAMENTALS
PLST 42706
BANKRUPTCY LAW II: CREDITOR-DEBTOR RELATIONS
PLST 42708
REAL ESTATE LAW
PLST 48002
CONTRACT LAW
PLST 48300
LAW OF CORPORATIONS AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
PLST 48401
PATENT LAW
PLST 48403
PATENT PROSECUTION
PLST 48404
COPYRIGHT LAW I
PLST 48407
TRADEMARK LAW
PLST 48408
TRADEMARK PROSECUTION
Upper-Division Minor Electives, choose from the following:6
PLST 35001
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FOR PARALEGALS
PLST 35003
HEALTH LAW
PLST 35005
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR PARALEGALS
PLST 35007
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
PLST 38003
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND PROCESS
PLST 38005
TORT LAW
PLST 38006
APPLIED LEGAL RESEARCH AND LITIGATION (WIC)
PLST 40095
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES
PLST 42701
EVIDENCE AND E-DISCOVERY
PLST 42705
BANKRUPTCY LAW I: BASIC FUNDAMENTALS
PLST 42706
BANKRUPTCY LAW II: CREDITOR-DEBTOR RELATIONS
PLST 42708
REAL ESTATE LAW
PLST 48002
CONTRACT LAW
PLST 48300
LAW OF CORPORATIONS AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS
PLST 48401
PATENT LAW
PLST 48403
PATENT PROSECUTION
PLST 48404
COPYRIGHT LAW I
PLST 48407
TRADEMARK LAW
PLST 48408
TRADEMARK PROSECUTION
Minimum Total Credit Hours:21

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation for Paralegal Studies - Minor

The Paralegal Studies minor is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).

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